As Hong Kong heads into a cooler season, Gayatri Bhaumik switches her poolside cocktail for a hearthside cuppa and tucks into the best of this season’s tea stands. Pinkies out!
You can't beat a refreshing cup of tea and a sweet treat or two mid-afternoon.
Colour Splash Afternoon Tea
W Hong Kong
Afternoon tea, but make it healthy – that’s the approach W Hong Kong is taking this autumn in the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic. This bright new tea features plenty of vivid hues and is packed with superfood ingredients, so it’s the perfect indulgence if you’re focused on wellness. The fresh tea set features ten savoury and sweet items, each one brimming with Insta-worthy colours. Expect to feast on good-for-you treats like ginger and turmeric hummus, sesame, roasted corns, and grissini; crushed avocado with shrimp in yuzu ponzu, bell pepper, spring onion, crispy tortilla; and quinoa salad with mushroom and poached quail egg on Spanish bread. As for the sweets? Executive pastry chef Baptiste Villefranque has whipped up delights packed with antioxidants and vitamins, including a vegan coconut and fresh mango chia seed pudding; a raspberry rose lychee tart; and a rosemary apricot oats crumble.
How much: HK$488 for two or HK$638 for two with two glasses of sparkling wine
How to book: Call 3717 2889 or email woobar.hk@whotels.com
Where: WOOBAR, W Hong Kong, 1 Austin Road, West Kowloon
When: Until October 31
Alain Milliat ‘Fruity Imagination’ Afternoon Tea
Kerry Hotel, Hong Kong
The Alain Milliat brand is famous for its exquisite, fruit-infused offerings, so it’s no wonder that the new afternoon tea at Kerry Hotel, Hong Kong – which is being offered in collaboration with the French brand – is packed with fruity treats. On the menu are savouries such as a foie gras pâté with apricot nectar, chamomile and oat granola, a smoked salmon tartare with pink grapefruit, chilli, and avocado; along with sweet treats such as the Mandarin Earl Grey (featuring mandarin compote, orange mascarpone cream, and early grey mandarin mousse), and a Hokkaido milk cheesecake with coconut praline and toasted coconut. The tea set even includes five types of scones, including lemon and yuzu, and chocolate and candied orange. The best part? Share your experience on social media with the specified tags (they’re on the menu) and you could get to complimentary Alain Milliat mocktails.
How much: HK$628 for two
How to book: Call 2252 5237 or email lobbylounge.khhk@thekerryhotels.com
Where: Lobby Lounge, Level 1, Kerry Hotel, Hong Kong, 38 Hung Luen Road, Hung Hom
When: Until November 29
Café Gray Deluxe x Plantation by teakha Afternoon Tea
Upper House
Hot off the back of its successful collaboration with Cookie Department, Cafe Gray Deluxe has teamed up with homegrown teahouse Plantation by teakha for its latest afternoon tea offering. The heart of the partnership are two savoury and two sweet items that have been infused with teas from Plantation by teakha. Red oolong tea is paired with creamy goat’s cheese and sweet figs; apple blossom verbena offers a touch of sweetness to salmon and Guinness bread; chamomile adds a herbaceous note to a citrusy buttermilk verrine; while a robust red jade bergamot tea adds depth to milk chocolate Chantilly and hazelnuts. The eatery’s signature scones have also been transformed with the addition of candied ginger. Of course, all these goodies are paired with an array of teas – pick your poison from masala chai and keemun rose, and apple blossom verbena, each of which come with their own unique properties.
How much: HK$285 per person or HK$480 for two
How to book: Call 3968 1106, email info@cafegrayhk.com – use the promo code TUHteakhua to receive a Plantation by teakha gift
Where: Café Gray Deluxe, Level 49, Upper House, Queensway, Admiralty
When: Until November 30
Häagen-Dazs x Champagne Louis Roederer Afternoon Tea
Hotel Icon
Under the lush vegetation of its GREEN lobby lounge, Hotel ICON is offering a lavish, Champagne-infused afternoon tea this autumn. The savouries in this set are decadent and rich thanks to an infusion of Champagne Louis Roederer Brut Premier. But, the focus is squarely on sweet treats. The experience kicks off with Häagen-Dazs minicups and homemade scones, and includes five ice-cream bites including coconut white chocolate vanilla, cantaloupe melon, and mango with passionfruit and chocolate coating. Complete the decadent feast with a glass of Signature Champagne Louis Roederer Brut Premier with Peach and Strawberry.
How much: HK$348 per person or HK$628 for two
How to Book: Call 3400 1300 or email book.restaurant@hotel-icon.com
Where: GREEN, G/F, Hotel ICON, 17 Science Museum Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East, Kowloon
When: Until November 1
SHISEIDO Future Solution Afternoon Tea
Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong
Hong Kong loves an afternoon tea presented by a cosmetics company, and this season, Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong delivers with a partnership with SHISEIDO. The tea marks the launch of the brand’s Future Solution Legendary Enmei Ultimate Renewing Cream, so everyone who indulges will receive a luxurious gift set from SHISEIDO. To celebrate, Executive Pastry Chef Christoph Sapy has created a Japanese-themed afternoon tea which includes delicious morsels such as an enmei herb-infused mango and passionfruit macaron; yuzu and white chocolate bavarois; red bean mochi; brown sugar crème brûlée; and black sesame nougatine ganache. Of course, you’ll also enjoy the hotel’s signature sandwiches, pastries, and scones with the famous rose petal jam.
How much: HK$368 per person or HK$548 per person including one glass of Ruinart Blanc de Blancs Brut or Brut Rosé NV
How to Book: Call 2825 4000 or email mohkg-restaurants@mohg.com
Where: Clipper Lounge and Café Causette, Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong, 5 Connaught Road, Central
When: Until September 30
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