Nothing screams decadence quite like pastries and ‘poo in a posh hotel lobby. Here’s our round-up of Hong Kong’s best spring teas
The Verandah at The Repulse Bay
The stunning Verandah restaurant at Repulse Bay is serving a special ‘Floral Bliss Afternoon Tea’ throughout this spring. It starts at the end of this month and runs until the end of May. Pinkies out as you sip and take in the splendid views of lush lawns, blooming gardens and sparkling Repulse Bay.
The tea is served on ‘Palace Garden’ floral-pattern fine bone china teaware which is laden with instagrammable sweet and savoury treats. Dig into Boston Lobster Seaweed Tart with fennel and Kristal caviar, Duck Foie Gras Terrine with a fig jam and toasted brioche and Egg Mimosa Tortilla Roulade with creme fraiche and Keta caviar.
Delicate spring-themed pastries include Raspberry Mousse Pavlova with vanilla bean chantilly cream, Mango and Coconut Panna Cotta, pastel-hued Matcha and Mascarpone Cheesecake and of course The Verandah’s legendary scones served with clotted cream and jam. Wash it all down with coffee or cold-brewed fruit tea, or upgrade to a glass of Ruinart Blanc de Blanc Champagne.
Floral Bliss Afternoon Tea is served from 3.30 to 5.30pm Wednesday to Sunday, March 20 until May 31. HK$348 per person or HK$648 for two on weekdays, HK$368 per person and HK$688 for two on weekends and public holidays. Champagne is HK$160 per glass or HK$210 for two. +852 2292 2822.
St Regis
Hong Kong’s luxurious St Regis property is partnering with skincare specialist Estee Lauder this season for a limited edition afternoon tea showcasing the Re-Nutriv collection.
Expect sweet and savoury treats as well as an Estee Lauder gift worth HK$1,195.
The Re-Nutriv collection harnesses the benefits of the black diamond truffle for improved skin luminosity and executive sous chef Hugo Cheng has curated a tea that blends ingredients that align with Re-Nutriv’s anti-aging philosophy.
Presented on mirrored gold plates, the entirely elegant Luminaries at The Drawing Room includes Balik Salmon with watermelon and olive oil pearls, Hibiscus Grapes Fruits with layers of grapefruit gel, hibiscus jelly, honey caviar and grapefruit, Comte Cheese with black truffle and balsamic, Black Rice Dark Chocolate, pastry featuring dark chocolate mousse and black rice.
Luminaries at the Drawing Room is available daily, 2.30-5.30pm, HK$478 per person. +852 2138 6900.
The Kerry Hotel
The Kerry Hotel is partnering with French chocolate brand Valrhona to present a chocoholics’ tea-time delight.
The tea tray comes laden with Foie Gras Rocher, a crispy hazelnut shell filled with creamy foie gras mousse, a Crab Croquette of caviar and avocado, smoked salmon sandwiches and blue cheese toast. The array of chocolate desserts has been crafted by The Kerry’s pastry chef Jerome Husson. The Dark Chocolate Sobacha Roll is made with Komuntu dark chocolate and raspberry jelly, while the Milk Chocolate Yuzu Cake combines Jivara milk chocolate with crunchy hazelnut praline. The White Chocolate Blueberry Finger uses sweet Opalys white chocolate balanced with tart blueberries and finally, the Dark Chocolate Exotic Cake features almond sponge paired with Bali dark chocolate. Forget the diet and dig-in.
And of course there are homemade scones, including a chocolate and orange candied variety alongside more traditional flavours, accompanied by clotted cream and a selection of jams.
Valrhona Spring Garden Chocolate Afternoon Tea is available Monday to Friday, 2.30 to 5.30pm, weekends and public holidays, 1.30 to 4pm and 4.15 to 6pm, until May 31. HK$638 for two Monday to Friday, HK$668 for two, weekends and public holidays. +852 2252 5888.
Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel & Towers
Sheraton Hong Kong is collaborating with Swiss beauty brand Glycel to present ‘The Sparkling Aura Afternoon Tea’ this spring.
Hosted in the hotel’s Sky Lounge on the top floor of the hotel, soak up superb views over Victoria Harbour as you enjoy this special tea tray. Tea guests are also treated to a Glycel Gift Set valued at HK$2,462 including a Green Caviar Youthful Facial Treatment.
The tea is infused with skin rejuvenating ingredients like raspberry, strawberry and red bean and there’s a Swiss twist with Emmental and Gruyere cheeses.
Savoury treats include light and crunchy Crab Puff filled with blue swimming crab meat and dill, a Mini Shrimp Roll, Fried Emmental topped with cranberry sauce, turkey and beetroot sandwiches and Ham & Swiss Pie. Sweet treats run to Strawberry Charlotte, Tokachi Red Bean Tofu Panna Cotta, Mont Blanc and homemade lemon scones.
The Sparkling Aura Afternoon Tea is served from 2.30 to 6pm between March 18 and June 30. HK$338 for one person or HK$676 for two. +853 2369 1111.
Hyatt Centric Victoria Harbour
The North Point-located hotel is partnering with local brand Matachali to present an afternoon tea that celebrates the arrival of spring with a Japanese twist.
The tea trays are inspired by the elegant matcha and hojicha flowers, with treats made using Matchali’s first harvest, hand-picked ceremonial grade matcha and roasted hojicha from a fifth generation tea farm in Kyoto.
Select from a host of Japanese-inspired treats, including Matcha Mille Crepe with smoked salmon, Matcha Lava Cake, Hojjicha scones, Hojicha Chocolate Gateau, Foie Gras Monaka with sakura ham, Black Truffle Tamago Sando and Hokkaido Milk Pudding Verrine.
Live stations will be serving all-you-can-eat freshly-baked Red Bean Taiyaki (a fish-shaped Japanese pastry) and Monaka ice cream.
The Farmhouse x Matchali Afternoon Tea Set is served at the hotel’s Farmhouse restaurant from 3.30 to 5pm, weekends and public holidays only, until May 5. HK$688 for two people. +852 3762 1234.
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