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high tea

Boronia House High Tea, Sydney

May 8, 2018 / High Tea, Mosman, North Shore, Sydney, Sydney Food / 0 comment

Dine inside a Victorian mansion built in 1885 at Boronia House, situated on Sydney’s North Shore. We experienced the Boronia House High Tea when celebrating a wedding at the venue. The historic Boronia House, surrounded by a beautiful garden, is the perfect location for a special function such as a baby or bridal shower, special birthday party or wedding reception.

The Classic High Tea Experience includes a selection of light breads, sophisticated savoury bites, house-made scones with double cream and jam, desserts and cakes, served with a choice of a T2 tea or coffee.

Kids aged 3-12 can enjoy the Little Ladies High Tea, which includes ham and cheese finger sandwich, scone with cream and jam, fairy bread, Remi’s homemade chocolate chip cookie, chocolate fondue with fresh fruit, homemade sweet treat of the day, mini pancake stack with maple syrup and a choice of T2 tea, hot chocolate, iced chocolate, fruit juice, pink lemonade or soft drink.

A Devonshire Tea is also available and includes six bites per person; two finger sandwiches, two scones with cream & jam, two dessert bites and a choice of T2 tea, coffee, hot chocolate, iced chocolate or soft drink.

Boronia House
624 Military Rd, Mosman
Online

More things to do in Sydney

Find a list of the best things to do in Sydney with kids here.

Find things to do in Sydney for free here.

Get a list of the best kid-friendly beaches in Sydney.

Find the best animal experiences in Sydney here.

Visit the best kid-friendly restaurants in Sydney here.

Find the best high teas in Sydney here.

Head to one of the best museums in Sydney here.

Check out things to do in Sydney on a rainy day here.

Enjoy one of the best ocean pools in Sydney here.

First time visiting Sydney? Get tips for first time visitors to Sydney here.

The Langham Sydney: Afternoon Tea With Mr Rabbit

March 19, 2018 / CBD, Sydney, Sydney Food / 0 comment

This Easter, take Sydney kids to the Langham to experience an elegant Afternoon Tea with Mr Rabbit.

We love the Langham. It’s been our go-to hotel for a touch of luxury in Sydney since we were dating and Cheese was just a twinkle in our eyes. The Langham, Sydney has always put on a gorgeous high tea that we enjoy but, when there’s a special theme involved, like Easter, it’s always just that bit extra special.

Afternoon Tea with Mr Rabbit

Until the 31st of March, families can enjoy a rabbit warren of Easter delights in the ever-so-elegant Palm Court at the Langham, Sydney.

The Afternoon Tea with Mr Rabbit is a beautiful treat to enjoy during the Easter season. It includes three tiers of savoury and sweet food and a little Easter gift to take home.

Included in the high tea is your choice of tea, coffee or a hot chocolate.

Savoury
Chive cream cheese, dark ale soil, beetroot
Chicken and leek pie
Smoked trout rillettes, brioche
Curried egg sandwich
Pastrami, Swiss cheese and sauerkraut finger sandwich
(As vegetarians we received a Mediterranean sandwich and pumpkin pie as a substitute)

Langham Sydney, Afternoon Tea With Mr Rabbit, Australia

Sweet
Chocolate nest with mini eggs
Passionfruit baby chick cupcake
Carrot macaron
Ginger bread and chocolate sable
Orange and coconut egg
Mandarin and white chocolate bonbon
Carrot and vanilla scones with jam and cream

The food and service were impeccable as always. The scones fresh from the oven as well as large and fluffy, and the ribbon sandwiches divine. We adored the attention to detail in the sweets and particularly loved the bonbon and coconut and orange egg.

Seated in the elegant Palm Court, Cheese remarked to me that the hotel is “so pretty” and “beautiful” (that it is!). You might think such a refined establishment might not be the best place to take kids, but I would say the opposite – that if you expose kids to beautiful things and environments where the expectation is that they will sit quietly, even if while they are sitting they are drawing or playing a game, that they will learn to appreciate and to behave in different settings.

I was once a nervous parent who took her baby, then toddler and preschooler to high tea and prepared for the worst – which invariably did happen. Crying, tears, tantrums, the works. This high tea outing I really realised how far we’ve come together as Cheese and I walked around the lobby with her taking pictures of the “amazing painting” and “gorgeous flowers”, and as we read through the tea menu together to see which kind of tea we would try.

After the tea was finished Cheese made a score chart of what items she liked the most, which the chefs apparently found hilarious when they saw it later. She ranked the scones as highly as her love for her parents (say what!!), followed by the quiche, tea and hot chocolate.

I think we have another high tea connoisseur in the family!

Afternoon Tea with Mr Rabbit

Monday – Friday

12pm-5pm

$45 per child

$70 per adult

$90 per person includes a glass of Champagne

$100 per person includes a glass of Rosé Champagne

Saturday – Sunday

$45 per child

$80 per adult

$100 per person includes a glass of Champagne

$110 per person includes a glass of Rosé Champagne

The Langham, Sydney is also putting on an Easter Sunday Buffet Lunch on Sunday 1st April 2018.

The lunch features a buffet spread, including a chocolate fountain, and the hotel lobby will transform into an Easter wonderland with colourful chocolate egg displays. Guests also receive their very own Easter gift to take home on departure.

EASTER LUNCH MENU

Seatings from 2pm until 3pm

$95 per adult

$50 per child

Get more info on Easter at the Langham, Sydney here.

The Langham Sydney
89-113 Kent St
Millers Point, Sydney
Bookings: +61 (2) 9256 2222

Read about the Afternoon Tea with Wedgewood offered by the Langham, Sydney here.

Thinking of staying the night? Read our hotel review of the Langham Sydney here.

Find more high teas in Sydney here.

We were hosted at by the Langham, Sydney for our afternoon tea. All opinions are our own.

More things to do in Sydney

Find a list of the best things to do in Sydney with kids here.

Find things to do in Sydney for free here.

Get a list of the best kid-friendly beaches in Sydney.

Find the best animal experiences in Sydney here.

Visit the best kid-friendly restaurants in Sydney here.

Find the best high teas in Sydney here.

Head to one of the best museums in Sydney here.

Check out things to do in Sydney on a rainy day here.

Enjoy one of the best ocean pools in Sydney here.

First time visiting Sydney? Get tips for first time visitors to Sydney here.

Gingerbread Holiday Tea at the Fairmont San Francisco

December 5, 2017 / California, San Francisco, Travel, USA / 0 comment

The holiday season really isn’t complete without a delectable holiday tea! Lucky us, on our San Francisco visit we were treated to the delicious Gingerbread Holiday Tea at the Fairmont San Francisco Hotel.

During the holiday season, the hotel decks out its lobby with incredible decorations, a 23-foot Christmas tree and a life-sized gingerbread house. It certainly is a sight to be seen, and draws plenty of visitors just to check out the lobby.

The gingerbread house is especially impressive. It is 25 feet high and 35 feet wide, and includes more than 10,000 pieces of gingerbread topped with with over a tonne of icing and candy.

The Gingerbread Holiday Tea, which is why we were there, is a special annual tradition at the hotel, running this year from November 24 2017 to January 1, 2018.

It features three layers of delicious food and includes a glass of champers plus choice of tea.

Savoury
Deviled Egg Salad (Watermelon Radish, Pickled Cucumber, White bread)
Smoked Salmon (Chive Creme Fraise, Pumpernickel)
Dungeness Crab & Mango Salad (Chives, San Francisco Sourdough)
Curry Chicken Salad (Curry Leaf)
Caprese Salad Sandwich (Mozzarella Cheese, Heirloom Tomatoes, Cucumber, Basil)

Scones
Holiday Spice
Aged Cheddar & Chive
Served with Spiced Pear Compote, Devonshire Cream, Meyer Lemon Curd

Sweet
A daily selection of miniature desserts

Children’s Tea

Sandwiches
Peanut Butter & Jelly
Traditional Egg Salad
Ham & Cheese
Tuna Salad

Scones
Holiday Spice
Aged Cheddar & Chive
Served with Spiced Pear Compote, Devonshire Cream, Meyer Lemon Curd

Assorted Pastries

Choice of tea, sparkling apple cider or hot chocolate

The food was as delicious as one would expect from a top class hotel such as the Fairmont. Piles of fresh sandwiches (ours were vegetarian substitutes), delicious scones (I really enjoyed the savoury cheese one and the three different toppings on offer), and the tiny little pastries. The four types of jam was also a lovely touch.

Where the Fairmont really outdoes itself is in catering to families. A huge gingerbread cookie was brought over on arrival with icing and decorations to keep the kid busy – and it certainly did the job. In case the cookie wasn’t enough, we were also given a colouring in book and crayons. We didn’t even need to open the book thanks to the arrival of Bree the “Elf”, who made the table rounds to share her “toy testing” tricks with the kids and a special Christmas ornament to take home.

The whole Gingerbread Holiday Tea was a delightful experience for us both. It’s very rare that we attend a tea where the two of us are equally happy with the offerings and entertainment. What a delightful afternoon we had, where neither of us wanted to leave, and very special memories were made.

FAIRMONT SAN FRANCISCO GINGERBREAD HOLIDAY TEA 2017
The hotel’s famed Gingerbread Holiday Tea is available starting November 24, 2017 through January 1, 2018.  Reservations 1:00pm-3:30pm Daily  Weekdays (November 24, 2017– January 1, 2018) Price: $99 Adults/ $69 Children under 12 (+ tax & gratuity)  Weekends (November 25– December 31, 2017) and Peak Dates (December 15-26, 2017)  Price: $119 Adults/ $89 Children under 12 (+ tax & gratuity)  * Gingerbread Holiday Tea is not available on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

FAIRMONT SAN FRANCISCO SANTA SUITE
Fairmont San Francisco’s Santa Suite offers guests a stay in Santa and Mrs. Claus’s San Francisco “home” away from the North Pole!
Santa Suite includes: Overnight accommodations in the a Two-Bedroom Luxury Suite, decked out in  Santa-inspired décor, Breakfast for up to four registered suite guests in Laurel Court or delivered to suite, “Candy and Hot Chocolate Bar” + adult beverage for parents
One Gingerbread House Kit, Use of suite’s holiday movie library, Overnight Parking for One Vehicle, Rate starts at $1,599.00+ tax per night, pre-paid non-refundable at time of booking. Available: December 3, 2017 – December 25, 2017  

Fairmont San Francisco
950 Mason St, San Francisco

Thank you so much to the Fairmont San Francisco for hosting us. All opinions are, as always, my own.

Frosted High Tea at the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth

November 25, 2017 / CBD, High Tea, Sydney, Sydney Food / 0 comment

To celebrate the release of an all-new Frozen featurette, Olaf’s Frozen Adventure (in selected cinemas from December 26), Disney has partnered with Sofitel Sydney Wentworth in a magical range of Frozen packages for families to enjoy.

We were lucky enough to enjoy the Frosted High Tea, an elegantly themed high tea featuring French delicacies all beautifully created in white and blue.

Even the Soirée dining room has even been given a touch of Frozen, with a giant snowflake at the entrance and frosty, sparkly trees inside. Our place settings were delightfully icy too, with silver snowflake platters, sparkly napkin holders and a snowflake table decoration.

We brought our own Anna and Elsa along, but needn’t have bothered as we were happily occupied with the Frozen activity pack while we waited for our high tea (it included a small and large colouring in book and pencils).

Our high tea and drinks arrived quickly – Cheese chose an iced chocolate, which arrived in a tall glass the same size as my delicious iced tea.

The Frosted High Tea includes:

Sweet
Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta
Elsa’s Frosted Macarons
Anna’s Blueberry Tartlet
Olaf Religieuse
Snow Meringue
Snow Ball Cookie
Vanilla Frost Cup Cake

Scones
Housemade Scones (plain and raisin)
Cream & Blueberry Jam

Savoury
Salmon Quiche
Bao Bun with Shrimp
Cucumber, Cream, Herb Sandwich

As vegetarians, our quiche and bun were substituted with a plain quiche and salad bun with avocado, tomato and cucumber.

Also included is your choice of Dilmah Teamaker’s Private Reserve loose leaf tea or barista coffee.

The kid’s high tea is basically the same as the adult’s but at a lower cost, which makes this incredibly good value. Honestly, we could have shared this enormous amount of food between three people (and I did pack away several pastries to take home and share since we didn’t finish it!).

I particularly enjoyed the sandwiches, the part of the salad bun that Cheese let me eat and the panna cotta, while her favourites were the scones, meringues, cupcakes and, the star item, the adorable Olafs.

I have to agree that they were the highlight item for me too, not just because they looked so incredibly cute that it was hard to eat them, but because they were absolutely delicious. Light pastry and fluffy cream inside, covered in sweet icing. Absolutely delicious as well as looking amazing.

The Sofitel Sydney Wentworth regularly runs themed high teas, and I always enjoy them immensely. I appreciate their incredible attention to detail with decorations, tableware and thoughtful activity packs for the kids. We have previously been to a Beauty & The Beast high tea and a Sleeping Beauty high tea.

Frosted High Tea
$65 per adult
$29 per child

The children’s high tea is available for children aged 3-12 years and includes a “Frozen” activity kit.

Upgrade your High Tea experience to include a glass of sparkling wine or champagne.

Available daily in Soirée 11am until 5pm. Offer valid 1 November 2017 – 31 January 2018. Bookings are required.

The Sofitel is also running a special themed Christmas Day luncheon and “Frozen” accommodation package.

Winter Wonderland Christmas Day Luncheon
The Sofitel Sydney Wentworth is also holding a Christmas Day Winter Wonderland Luncheon in their historic Wentworth Ballroom. This magical Winter Wonderland celebrates Christmas traditions along with some very special guests all the way from Arendelle. Guests will enjoy live entertainment, a traditional Christmas feast with all the trimmings, a “Frozen” kids’ dessert buffet, visit from Santa, plenty of photo opportunities and a Frozen sing along.

Monday 25 December 2017, 12pm-2:30pm
Wentworth Ballroom – Level 3, Sofitel Sydney Wentworth
$199 per adult, $129 per child (aged 12-17 years), $99 per child (aged 5-11 years), children aged 0-4 years are free.

Disney Family Fun “Frozen” Accomodation Package
The Disney delights continue with a Frozen-themed overnight stay at the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth. The package, which starts at $359 per night for a superior room, includes:

Buffet breakfast for two adults and one child, daily in Garden Court Restaurant
Complimentary dinner for children up to 12 years of age
Disney welcome gifts to take home, including a plush toy (choose between Elsa, Olaf or Snowgie), Frozen Night Light and Story Book

Offer available during the promotional period 1 November 2017 – 31 January 2018. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. Accommodation bookings must be made 24hrs prior to arrival.

Sofitel Sydney Wentworth
61-101 Phillip Street, Sydney
(02) 9228 9188
Sofitel Sydney Wentworth Frozen Packages

Thank you to the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth and Disney for hosting us at this special high tea. All opinions and Elsas are our own.

Afternoon Tea at Park Hyatt Sydney

October 3, 2017 / CBD, High Tea, Sydney, Sydney Food, The Rocks / 0 comment

With floor to ceiling glass windows overlooking Sydney Harbour, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better outlook for a high tea in Sydney than the Park Hyatt in The Rocks.

Afternoon tea is served daily from 2:30pm-5:00pm on an elegant three tiered platter, with a selection of teas by La Maison Du Thé.

Savoury
Smoked salmon with dill mascarpone and keta caviar
Beef pastrami with celery & green apple remoulade and watercress
Aged cheddar on malt bread with quince & toasted hazelnuts
Provencale quiche with sundried tomatoes, olives & pine seeds
Truffle & ham “croque monsieur”

Sweet
Valrhona chocolate crhunch
Raspberry choux
Lemon myrtle cheesecake
MakMak macaron
Freshly baked scones with homemade strawberry jam and clotted cream

We enjoyed the afternoon tea, particularly as it had a large amount of savoury items. The food was all delicious. Freshly made using high-quality ingredients. The scones were fluffy and fresh (although not warm).

As a vegetarian I received a slightly different list of savoury food including a mediterranean style of sandwich.

Hot water for tea pots and extra jam or cream is available upon request.

The Park Hyatt offers a high tea for kids which is the same as the adult one but for a slightly cheaper price. It would be ideal if instead they had some more kid-friendly sandwiches and pastries instead of serving the same tea.

We opted instead to have some extra scones and then regretted it as they were super expensive – we were charged $14 for two small scones. I found out when I emailed later that the charge was doubled and it should have been $8 for the two scones, but this is still too expensive in my opinion for the tiny scones received.

Classic Afternoon Tea
$55 per person including tea or coffee (or a Valrhona chocolate, served hot or cold).

Champagne Afternoon Tea
$70 per person including the above, plus a glass of NV Moet & Chandon Brut Imperial Rosé.

Afternoon Tea at the Park Hyatt Sydney
Served Daily, 2.30pm-5.00pm
$55 per person, $70 with a glass of Champagne.
Park Hyatt Sydney 7 Hickson Road
The Rocks Sydney NSW 2000 Australia.
Telephone: + 61 2 9256 1234
Online

Beauty and the Beast High Tea and Stay at the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth

April 11, 2017 / CBD, Sydney, Sydney Food / 2 Comments

A tale as old as time has captured the imagination of a new generation. I never thought when I sat down to watch Beauty and the Beast in a movie theatre in 1991 that 16 years later I would be sharing the same classic experience with my own daughter.

The Sofitel Sydney Wentworth hotel is heritage-listed 5-star hotel located in the heart of Sydney’s CBD and shopping district. We often stop by for high tea because they are brilliant at theming them to current cultural events such as the release of the new live action version of Beauty and the Beast. (In the past I’ve enjoyed their Sleeping Beauty and Archibald high teas, run in collaboration with the Australian Ballet and the Art Gallery of NSW).

This tea could not have been a more perfect fit for my little Belle-want-to-be. She is deep in the “Disney princess” stage and was enchanted at the beautiful decorating inside the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth hotel.

I couldn’t hold her back as she fluttered from one themed area to the next – from the gorgeous rose inside the glass dome at the check in desk to the roses and books in the foyer and the gigantic rose inside the Soiree, where the high teas are served.

Our table was made up with exquisite attention to detail: rose-shaped napkins in the tea cups, themed menus and a gold leaf runner that all hinted at the enchantment to come.

A Beauty and the Beast activity pack kept the little one well and truly occupied until our food arrived. The look on her face when she saw the platters of rose-themed goodies? Priceless. The smile says it all.

Savouries
Tomato tartlet
Roasted Angus beef on whole wheat bread
Salmon gravlax and tomato on Viennese baguette
* Vegetarian alternative to these were two avocado and tomato sandwiches

Desserts
Strawberry tartlet
Rose and Raspberry Religieuse
Passion cheesecake
Berry macaron
White chocolate dome

Homemade scones
Cream and homemade jam

The children’s high tea was almost the same as the adult one, with one less sandwich and the white chocolate dome replaced with a more kid-friendly cupcake with a rose on top.

As the high tea is light on savouries with more of a focus on the sweets, I would recommend having this high tea as an afternoon tea rather than as a substitution for lunch.

We both really enjoyed the variety of sweets. My favourites were the passion cheesecake with its tart notes of passionfruit and the exquisite rose and raspberry religieuse topped with delicate gold leaf, while Cheese loved the berry macaron, the rose cupcake – not to mention the avocado and tomato sandwiches, of which she ate all, even mine.

After the kid polished off her food and completed the activity book we took a walk around the hotel to see the rest of the Beauty and the Beast theming. A Belle-inspired dress rests in the back of the foyer, near the entrance to the Wentworth Library, where a special corner has been set aside to become “Belle’s Reading Corner”.

We sat and read through all three versions of Beauty and the Beast that were available, then decided it was time to check into our room.

I’ve never had a hotel check in into a room feel like a special experience before, so it was a first for me, too, when we were presented with a gorgeous silk rose along with our room keys.

Inside our junior suite on the 12th floor, another surprise awaited us – a delightful display of rose cupcakes, a Beauty and the Beast book and activity pack, plus the masterpiece of the theming, an Enchanted Rose Bluetooth Speaker that played music from our phones and lit up like magic.

I’m not exaggerating when I say that we spent a lot of time that evening just playing with the speaker ….

After a night sleeping on some of the most comfortable beds ever, we head down stairs for breakfast in the Garden Court. A buffet breakfast is included in our package, as is a complimentary dinner for kids up to age 12. The buffet has a fantastic array of breads, cheeses, meats, cereals, fruit and yogurt, with a hot section where you can also order eggs, waffles, French toast and pancakes to order.

We check out of the hotel rested and enchanted after our special Beauty and the Beast night at the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth. Most of our hotel stays are purely functional, but this one has been special. As we walk out of the lobby, Cheese turns to us and says, “We have special memories here”. That we do.

Beauty and the Beast High Tea prices:

$69* per adult
$29** per child

$79* per person including a glass of sparkling wine
$89* per person including a glass of Veuve Clicquot

*Subject to availability and conditions apply. Available daily in Soirée 11am till 5pm until 30/06/2017. Bookings are required. Accor Plus discount does not apply.
**Available for children aged 3-12 years, includes “Beauty and the Beast” activity kit.

Offer available during the promotional period 9 March – 30 June 2017

Sofitel Sydney Wentworth
61-101 Phillip Street, Sydney
Contact 02 9228 9188 for reservations

Thanks so much to Disney and the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth for hosting us for this magical experience. All opinions are my own.

High Tea and History at the Hydro Majestic, Blue Mountains, Australia

April 6, 2017 / Australia, Blue Mountains, Katoomba, NSW, Travel / 0 comment

The Hydro Majestic Hotel Medlow Bath in the Blue Mountains is one of Australia’s most iconic hotels. Perched atop an escarpment overlooking the World Heritage-listed Blue Mountains National Park, a visit to the Hydro Majestic is a stylish experience filled with fascinating history, delicious food and plenty of relaxation.

Stepping into the Hydro Majestic’s breathtaking Casino Lobby is akin to walking back in time to an age of opulence and elegance. The hotel opened its doors in 1904, built by retailing magnate Mark Foy who had an eye for detail and a flair for the dramatic. His “palace in the bush” is a beautiful tribute to a bygone age, with a creative mix of art deco, art nouveaux and gothic designs, and luxurious oriental furnishings.

The hotel has undergone a significant refurbishment. After being closed for six years, it reopened in 2014, returned to its former opulent glory.

Blue Mountains Afternoon High Tea

High tea is served in the elegant Wintergarden, with panoramic views overlooking the Megalong Valley.

Choose from the traditional High Tea, Eastern High Tea or Gluten-Free High Tea, each served to the table on a three-tiered silver stand and including a range of tea and coffee.

Traditional High Tea

A selection of pastries, scones, clotted cream, jam and your choice of tea or coffee.

Savouries
My vegetarian option included an egg sandwich, salad wraps, a small frittata and a goat’s curt tart. They were just delicious. Fresh ingredients, fluffy bread, and a copious amount, which I prefer with a high tea.

Scones
Two scones per serving, one plain and one with fruit. The scones were excellent, large, fluffy and fresh, with a strong fruit jam that I suspect is locally made and right cream.

Pastries
An array of desserts including maracons, chocolate squares, hedgehog slice, raspberry tart and fruit jelly (using a vegetarian alternative to gelatine). I was so full from the rest of the food I struggled to fit in all of the sweets, so save room! The sweets were perfectly bite sized and filled with vibrant flavours. Not only did they look gorgeous, they tasted delicious, too.

$55.00 per person (weekday) and $65.00 per person (Saturday, Sunday and Public Holiday), Deluxe High Tea from $69.00 per person including a glass of Australian sparkling wine (weekday) and $79.00 per person including a glass of Australian sparkling wine (Saturday, Sunday and Public Holiday), Luxurious High Tea from $75.00 per person including a glass of Pol Roger NV French Champagne (weekday) and $85.00 per person including a glass of Pol Roger NV French Champagne (Saturday, Sunday and Public Holiday)

Eastern High Tea

A selection of steamed eastern dumplings, crispy bbq duck spring roll, prawn and vegetarian rice paper roll, twice cooked pork belly and a selection of eastern and western desserts and your choice of tea or coffee.

$60.00 per person (weekday) and $70.00 per person (Saturday, Sunday and Public Holiday). $69.00 per person with a flute of sparkling wine and $75.00 per person with a flute of Pol Roger NV Champagne (weekday). $79.00 per person with a flute of sparkling wine and $85.00 per person with a flute of Pol Roger NV Champagne (Saturday, Sunday and Public Holiday)

Also on offer is a Kids High Tea
A selection of soldier sandwiches, sweet treats and pikelets with jam and cream and your choice of tea or hot chocolate $35.00 per person (3 – 12 years).

Beverages offered
Espresso, long black, flat white, cappuccino, café latte, chai latte, macchiato, mocha, hot chocolate

Tea Selection
English Breakfast, Earl Grey, Green, Lemon and Ginger, Peppermint, Darjeeling, Chamomile, Oolong. Blossom Tea: For an additional $5 per pot, try a gorgeous blossom tea. Each blossom slowly unfurls into an elegant display when placed in warm water.

Vegetarian and gluten free options can be catered for at no additional cost, please advise any dietary requirements at the time of booking.

History Tour

After a luxurious high tea, be sure to take a wander around the property and soak in its history. If you’re really keen on knowing more, I highly recommend the guided history tour. The tour begins in the Casino lobby with its iconic domed roof, then takes in the vibrant Salon Due Thé and Cat’s Alley, the stunning Majestic Ballroom and concludes in the Hydro Majestic Pavilion with its colour displays of Hydro’s historic past along with boutique and regional food and wine from the Blue Mountains and its regions.

Tour Details
Cost: 10pp
Monday to Friday commencing at 11am and 3pm
Saturday and Sunday commencing at 10am, 11am, 3pm and 4pm.
Arrive 10 minutes prior to the commencement of the tour.
All tours run for approximately 30-45 minutes and start from the Casino Lobby and finish in the Hydro Majestic Pavilion
Bookings are essential

The Hydro Majestic
52-88 Great Western Hwy, Medlow Bath NSW
Phone: (02) 4782 6885
Afternoon High Tea Sittings: Mon – Fri 11.00am – 3.30pm, Sat – Sun 10.30am – 3.30pm
Reservations essential
Get Directions

I was hosted during my time at the Hydro Majestic. All opinion are my own.

Vegan High Tea at the Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Sydney

March 27, 2017 / CBD, Sydney, Sydney Food / 1 Comment

I’m thrilled to be trying what I think is the first 100% vegan high tea in Sydney, at the Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel. While I’m not vegan myself I am vegetarian and more than happy to eat vegan where available, so this high tea was an exciting one to try with a friend who is lactose and egg-free.

Eating high tea when you have a dietary requirement like this is often a major hassle (it’s even a major hassle if you’re vegetarian!) and it’s wonderful to see hotels like the Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Sydney cater to people of all dietary requirements (they also serve a gluten-free high tea and kids’ high tea!).

A new vegan chef is behind the additional high tea menu. Chef June Liu joined the Radisson Blu Plaza Sydney after working for several years in other iconic vegan restaurants in Sydney and Sydney’s Inner West. She is passionate about vegan cuisine and healthy eating, which is evident in the new menu.

High tea is served on an elegant three tier stand in the relaxing Lady Fairfax lounge area. We are first brought a “welcome drink” of watermelon and red berry that is delightfully refreshing and a touch fizzy.

Tea orders are taken and we select from a menu that includes classic choices as well as more interesting ones such as the Queen Of Hearts Tea that I select. The menu describes it as Light spice of delicate, young rose buds atop the sweet full ness of China black tea.

Soon after, both the tea and food arrive.

Savoury items
Spiced lentil pies
Stuffed Moroccan pumpkin flowers
Sweet potato and cashew empanada
Grilled zucchini, asparagus and hummus sandwich
Avocado, alfalfa sprout and Spanish onion sandwich

The savouries are excellent. I’ve commented before on how well the Radisson Blu does these, and the vegan delicacies were no exception. It was so novel to have three entirely different pastries I could eat! My fave was the empanada – a touch of spice and filled with creamy pumpkin. The sandwiches were delightful triangles of light produce on fresh bread, exactly what should be served with a high tea.

Sweet treats
Chocolate cake with beetroot frosting
Salted caramel cheese slice
Mango passionfruit cake
Chocolate and hazelnut slice with lychee and raspberry
Tutti-Frutti jelly

Roasted pumpkin and herb scones with soy cream and jam

I was pleased to see the scones were large and fluffy, with the same dry taste and texture that a scone should have. The soy cream was a wonderful addition as it’s rarely possible for people who can’t eat lactose or dairy to be able to enjoy whipped cream when dining out.

The sweets section was a delight for the senses with the gorgeous chocolate cupcake topped with the most delicious beetroot (again, SOY!!) frosting, and a mango cake that packed an incredibly fruity punch. The jelly was a bit tougher than I had imagined it would be (not sure what it was made with – pectin perhaps?) I don’t eat gelatine and was happy to know I was able to eat the jelly, even if it was a bit unusual texture-wise.

The salted caramel slice was very much like a little mini banoffee pie with the banana on top – a delectable morsel that was also super creamy even with no dairy in it.

The vegan high tea at the Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel is a fantastic addition to the Sydney food scene. I can’t say how wonderful it is to be able to sit down to a high tea and be able to eat everything on the menu, for people who don’t eat animal products for ethical reasons such as me, or for food intolerances and allergies such as my friend.

Traditional high tea
Served with tea and coffee, $54pp

Sparkling high tea
Served with a glass of sparkling wine, $64pp

Champagne high tea
Served with a glass of Moet & Chandon, $74pp

Please note that the vegan high tea requires advance booking. Walk-in guests with no booking who would like to order the vegan high tea may have to wait up to 45 minutes while the dishes are prepared.

Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Sydney
27 O’Connell St, Sydney NSW 2000
Phone: 02 8214 0000
Online
Reservations required: communications@radisson.com or 02 8214 0400.
High tea is served daily from 10:30am-4:30pm
Get Directions

Produced in partnership with the Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Sydney. All opinions are our own. Additional images thanks to the Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Sydney.

Burnt Orange, Mosman: Sydney’s Best High Teas

February 19, 2017 / Mosman, North Shore, Sydney, Sydney Food / 1 Comment

“Under certain circumstances there are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea.” Henry James, The Portrait of a Lady, 1880.

The above inscription inside the menu at Burnt Orange could not describe our afternoon any more perfectly. High tea is one of my favourite guilty pleasures that I love to indulge in with friends and family to celebrate basically every occasion possible – in this case, it was a baby shower for a friend.

Burnt Orange is a cafe known for it’s delicious food and stunning views from the wraparound verandah. It’s a popular place for celebrating special occasions, and it’s common to see groups of hens or baby showers on the verandah taking in the view with a delectable high tea offering.

High tea is served from 3:30pm onwards. The cafe closes at 5:30pm on weekends, so the only time slot is actually 3:30-5:30.

Each member of the party was served their own large tea pot that gave around 3 full cups of tea. The tea menu was on the basic side compared to some high tea venues, but it still included all the popular favourites like English Breakfast and Earl Grey, as well as options such as Orange Pekoe (which we all chose), Organic Berry and Russian Caravan.

The food is the focus at Burnt Orange, and we found the high tea to be a perfect size for mid afternoon tea – a great mix of savoury and sweet without being cloyingly sugary.

Savoury
Pumpkin & goats cheese tart with carrot jam
smoked salmon on brioche with avruga caviar and herb ricotta
Poached chicken & tarragon on Avoca brown bread

Freshly baked scones with homemade jams and cream

Sweet
Salted caramel and chocolate tart
Moroccan orange & almond cake with sugared almonds
Classic lemon tart with blueberries & cream

As the token vegetarian I was served the same tea with a different sandwich option – a really delicious vegetable medley on its own plate.

The food was of the high quality one expects from a venue such as this. The sandwiches were fresh, the scone a good size and fluffy inside, a delicious jam and thick cream, plus the perfect amount of deserts with a variety of flavours. I really enjoyed how different each was – a tart lemon, a salted caramel combined with dark chocolate and an orange cake. The perfect flavour combination.

The tea is reasonably priced at $40 per person. An additional $10 for a glass of bubbly.

High tea is available by reservation only, and a deposit must be paid over the phone equal to 50% of the booking. Deposit is refundable for cancellations made up to 24 hours prior to scheduled booking.

A 10% surcharge applies on weekends and public holidays.

Highchairs: Yes.
Stroller storage: Yes.
Easy access: Yes.
Change tables: No.
Kids’ menu: Yes.

Burnt Orange
1109 Middle Head Rd,
Mosman NSW 2088
Phone: 02 9969 1020
Prices $$$
Hours: Daily 8:30am-5:30pm
Get Directions

The Tearoom QVB: Sydney’s Best High Teas

November 23, 2016 / CBD, Sydney, Sydney Food / 0 comment

No high tea pilgrimage is complete without an afternoon tea at the QVB Tea Room. Located in what was once the original Grand Ballroom of the landmark Queen Victoria Building, The Tea Room oozes style and grace. The addition of custom designed Baccarat crystal chandeliers in 2014 gave the interior a burst of glamour and sparkle.

Tea at The Tea Room is served on on authentic British silverware and classic Royal Albert china. I particularly love the heavy silverware. It feels very old world and classy.

The Tea Room serves three kinds of afternoon teas – traditional, Oriental and gluten free. We chose the traditional, but with a twist. Mine had to be vegetarian, and my dad’s needed significant adjustments due to his dietary restraints. Our server was one of the kindest, thorough waitstaff I have encountered. He went back and forth between our table ad the kitchen several times to make sure that my dad was being given a full afternoon tea that suited his diet. I wish I’d asked for his name to commend him to The Tea Room afterwards. He made the experience hassle free, while also ensuring that my dad was able to enjoy the tea entirely. Most importantly, my dad wasn’t make to feel like his requirements were a hinderance or annoyance, so the whole experience was very enjoyable, before we’d even tasted the tea.

Speaking of the tea, it arrived quickly in large pots. Once we’d poured all of our tea, helpful staff returned sporadically throughout our meal to ask if we would like a hot water top up in our little teapots. Very thoughtful.

Our selection of savoury and sweets came shortly afterwards on tiered platters. My dad’s arrived on its own platter (pic above), and the others all combined on another.

The vegetarian tea was very similar to the regular one. The only difference was the sandwiches – mine were cheese and tomato chutney and cucumber and cream cheese, while the regular sandwiches included ham.

The sandwiches were delicious. Fresh, light bread, and tasty fillings. We were offered extra sandwiches later on and were given an entire extra serving, including egg (yay!). The egg was actually my favourite. Also on the sandwich plate were a little cup of XX and truffle oil, and a bite of pastry with explosively tasty tomato and avocado on it.

One large scone per person was allocated (my dad scored two with his special menu). The scones were a mix of plain and sultana.The scones were warm, right out of the oven and the delicious mixed berry jam and thick cream were generously portioned. Also on the scone plate were spinach bites in pastry. Freshly cooked and so good.

Onto the sweets. Four tiny perfect desserts: a berry macaron, chocolate mousse square, berry tart and mango and strawberry mousse square. All four were perfect. Light, elegant, beautifully presented, and all bursting with flavour.

I couldn’t fault anything about our experience. From the staff to the food, it was perfect. This is why we will be back, and keep on coming back, year after year. Thank you Tea Room for making this such a special afternoon for me and my family.

The Tea Room QVB
3, Queen Victoria Building,
455 George Street,
Sydney NSW 2000
Phone: (02) 9283 7279
Prices: $$$
Hours: Daily 10am-5pm
Get Directions

Reservations are recommended.