Afternoon Tea at The Observatory Hotel, The Rocks

I have often been asked by friends and followers of my little blog where I think is the best high tea in Sydney and (humbled to even be asked!) I have always responded with sentences that have usually been prefaced by the phrase "Well it depends.." However, after a recent high tea experience at The Observatory Hotel in Sydney's historic Rocks area, I now feel confident in recommending to others what I believe to be the creme de la creme of Sydney high teas.

It was at The Observatory that I caught with a friend I hadn't seen in many many months - what better way to catch up with a girlfriend than over high tea in such opulent and relaxing surroundings! So where do I start? Well, how about the hotel's grand foyer to set the scene? I think the photos above speak for themselves.. this is one fine establishment!
 
I make my way into the Globe Brasserie & Bar where afternoon tea is held daily - a sweeping room with polished wooden floors and complete with soft lighting, rich drapes and plush armchairs and sofas. Oh, and there's a grand piano thrown in for good measure too...

I join my girlfriend at our table, neat as a pin and adorned with crisp white linen, glistening crockery and silverware. With 20 unique tea blends to choose from we take our time perusing the menu - I opt for a jasmine tea and my friend chooses another one of the lovely herbal blends.

Shortly after our high tea stand arrives - three tiers of afternoon scrumptiousness! It all looks so perfect we sit looking at it for a while, taking it all in and not wanting to spoil the pretty picture. But it looks so good we quickly succumb to our appetites and make a start with the savoury items.

Now when it comes to sandwiches at high teas, I (as a vegetarian) am normally accustomed to one type of sandwich which can be rather tasteless - plain cucumber... It's not ideal, and I certainly don't complain about it - rather, I simply adjust my expectations when going to a high tea. On this occasion, however, I am spoiled for choice with four little sandwiches each with a different and delicious filling, plus a vegetarian tart - hurray!

After our savouries we move onto the gem-like scones - not the monstrous floury types so common elsewhere that can be difficult to finish, but rather, these fresh, ladylike and fluffy scones that you can finish in a couple of mouthfuls. They really were the perfect size and a lovely texture... The strawberry jam served alongside them was superb - quite syrupy in consistency (which I prefer to very jelly-like jam), and most likely house-made which is always a good thing. The cream was like a double cream though, which I found a bit too heavy.

And last but not least we make our way to the impeccably presented plate of miniature sweets, all a good size for a high tea stand - enough to get a taste, but not too much so as to make you feel horrendously full. There's a fruit tartlet, lemon and poppyseed cupcake, cheesecake, chocolate opera slice, crème brûlée and chocolate mousse for each of us... they're all so good, but the crème brûlée and opera slice are my favourites.

And just when we thought we couldn't possibly eat another crumb, an unexpected and complimentary surprise arrives at our table - a congratulatory platter to celebrate my now somewhat big 'bun in the oven'!

All in all, a 5 star experience and a lovely way to catch up with a friend. Tell me, dear readers, where have you had your best high tea experience? I'd love to hear about it!

Ladybird x

The Observatory Hotel

89-113 Kent Street

The Rocks, NSW

Ph: (02) 8248 5252

http://www.observatoryhotel.com.au/web/osyd/afternoon_tea.jsp

Classic afternoon tea $49 per person on weekdays, $59 per person on weekends & public holidays

Monday to Friday 2:30 - 5pm

Saturdays 12:30 - 2:30pm, and 3 - 5pm

Sundays & public holidays 1 - 3 and 4 - 6pm

A Floral Themed High Tea at Patisse

I recently had the pleasure of attending a lovely high tea at Patisse in Sydney.. not just any high tea, but one created by Vincent Gadan and the hardworking team at Patisse in Waterloo. Does the name ring a bell? It may for all those Masterchef fans out there. Vincent Gadan is the talented, French-born pastry chef who faced up to (and won) a roast challenge against Hayden. He also appeared again on the series for a masterclass with some of the contestants. Recognise those score cards in the frame on the table?

When I learnt that Patisse was starting monthly themed high teas I jumped at the chance, and I attended their high tea debut on July 31st. The theme? Floral: Rose, lavender and violet. But no scones and clotted cream in sight here - this was a french take on high tea.

The selection of sweets and savouries for guests was as follows:

Savoury

Wagyu Pie – cocktail size

Spinach and Feta Quiche – Cocktail size

Chicken Sandwich finger

Roast vegetable sandwich finger

Sweet

Lavender Madeline

Pistachio and rose cake

Violet Tropeziennes

Verrine of Lavender

Some pictures of the food for you to drool over. First, our roasted vegetable finger sandwiches...

Spinach and feta quiches fresh out of the oven, the pastry buttery and flaky... mmmm!

The beautiful sweets plate... a bouquet of flavours and textures!

Check out this thing of beauty - the verrine of lavender... I gave this one a miss as I don't eat gelatine, but it was certainly pretty to look at.

And lastly, the sweet highlight from the high tea for me.. the Pistachio and Rose Cake - a beautifully moist cake coated with pistachios and topped with orange blossom yoghurt and rose petals... absolutely lovely.

We also enjoyed a tea tasting as part of the high tea, something I have never experienced before. We sampled beautiful teas by a new Australian company called The Rabbit Hole. Their organic teas were selected to accompany the floral theme of the high tea, and they were beautiful! In fact, you'll actually be hearing more about them on my blog soon.. so stay tuned tea lovers!

Towards the end of the high tea we were all introduced to Vincent who welcomed us and spoke about the menu he created for the day.

All in all an enjoyable high tea, and definitely something a little different from many high tea offerings in Sydney. Check out the Patisse website for information about upcoming high tea events.

Ladybird and guest attended high tea as guests of Patisse

Patisse
Shop G01, PYD Building
197 Young St
Waterloo NSW
Ph: (02) 9690 0665

http://www.patisse.com.au/
Monday to Saturday, 8:30am to 4pm

High Tea at Centennial Vineyards, Bowral

I recently wrote about my recent visit to the 2010 Tulip Time festival in Bowral, located in the beautiful NSW Southern Highlands. It was a long weekend for Mr Ladybird and I, and I was keen to enjoy some good food and wine during our trip. I really wanted to try a high tea in the country and, although Mr Ladybird was not particular keen (high tea being too "girly" and all), he agreed on the condition that we'd visit Bradman Oval at some point, which I was more than happy to do.

We arrive at Centennial Vineyards on a beautiful Spring afternoon (not at all rainy like this weekend in NSW) and we drive up the winding, gravel road. I tend to notice "crunchy" driveways more than the average person because my dad has a bit of a thing for them, and would always remark on lovely "crunchy paths" when we were growing up.

We arrive at the Centennial Vineyard restaurant which is an impressive sight, oozing country charm. We site in an area of the restaurant overlooking the vines. I can see why the space is a popular venue for weddings. Complete with a huge open fire place, it is a very elegant space.

I talk Mr Ladybird through how high tea works as this is his first experience, and we place our drink orders. Earl grey tea for me, a flat white for Mr Ladybird in need of a bigger caffeine hit.

Shortly after our high tea stand arrives, laden with lovely sweet and savoury treats for us to share. "Now what am I supposed to do?" Mr Ladybird whispers cautiously.. "Tuck in!" I reply making a bee-line for the top tier.

The top tier offers us fresh egg, and cheese and salad sandwiches alongside shot glasses of lovely hot pumpkin soup.

The obligatory scones with jam and cream are delicious, and I especially love that the scones are warm. I'm really starting to brag about this high tea now, aren't I?! :P

Finally, the middle tier.. which houses a trio of delectable treats... all of which are describe as "To die for" in the words of Mr Ladybird, who isn't a sweets person at all. I couldn't agree more. The sweets are not too sweet and simply beautiful! Warm sticky date pudding, chocolate mousse with passionfruit coulis (a surprising and delightful combination) and little pieces of nougat.

For $28 per person, I was very impressed with this high tea. It's a big call, but I am comfortable in going so far as to say that this food was the best food I've had at any high tea to date. It was superb, and far better value than the high teas I've attended in Sydney at a much heftier bill.

I'm so glad Mr Ladybird enjoyed his first high tea... but I can't see him rushing out for another. He's definitely more of a 'drinks with the guys down at the pub' kind of person, and that's fine. He was a very good sport, and he did get to see the Bradman Oval as per our agreement :)

High Tea at Centennial Vineyards Restaurant
252 Centennial Rd, Bowral NSW
Monday to Friday, 11am to 4pm
Packages from $28 per person

For more information, click here

The Tea Room, QVB Sydney

On Saturday I headed to the Queen Victoria Building (QVB) in Sydney city for high tea with my friend Sharon. It had been a while since we'd caught up, so I was really looking forward to it. It was also my first visit to The Tea Room so needless to say I was pretty excited!

While waiting for Sharon I take in the room in all its glory. It is a lot bigger than I had imagined from the name 'The Tea Room'.. it is more like a ballroom - a sweeping room with high, ornate ceilings. It's no surprise that it is a popular wedding venue - it is stunning.

The afternoon sunlight is streaming through the windows but in an unoccupied, darker corner of the room I spot a teacup caught in the light. It was calling me, "Please! Take my picture!"

The tables are decked with crip white linen and set with silverware and fine Royal Albert china. If it weren't for the modern day attire of the patrons, one would be forgiven for feeling transported back in time.

Sharon joins me at the table and we order our tea. We choose the Orange Pekoe and Vanilla tea and they arrive shortly after in beautiful polished pots.

We opt for the Traditional High Tea is $41 per head and while chatting and sipping on tea (oh so ladylike), our high tea stand arrives. Three tiers of wonderful sweets and savouries.

As always, I'm tempted to start on the upper tier, but I talk myself into having savouries first. Gosh - my mother would be proud! :P Here are some closeups of our food.

Macarons, strawberry tartlets and orange and poppy seed mini-muffins

Fruit tartlets, chocolate & coffee opera slice and passionfruit melting moments

Cheese and sprinach pastries and the scones. Monstrous in size, but a good texture and delicious with the made-from-scratch strawberry jam and cream.

Assorted sandwiches and cheese & polenta tartlets

I could definitely get used to this high tea business.. it's a wonderful way to catch up with friends. Give me high tea over drinks any day!

This high tea is worth checking out. There are a number of high tea options including afternoon tea with sparkling wine or champagne. There is also an entirely gluten-free afternoon tea!


The Tea Room QVB
Level 3, North end, QVB
455 George Street, Sydney
(02) 9283 7279
http://www.thetearoom.com.au/

Wentworth High Tea at Sofitel Sydney

A couple of Saturdays ago I had the pleasure of heading to Sydney city for a lovely high tea with some girls... High tea is pretty expensive wherever you go, so it's a rare treat for me. Needless to say, when an occasion such as this rolls around, I get pretty excited about it!

Upon arrival at the hotel, I was blown away by the decadent interior of the foyer... Very glamorous and inviting. Then, once seated in the Sofitel Lounge we ordered our tea. There was a good range of black, herbal and white teas on offer.

I also remarked that on the bowl of sugar cubes on the table - brown and white sugar cubes! (forgive my excitement, but it was the first time I've seen brown sugar cubes in Australia...)

Once we had settled in and started on our tea the afternoon tea stands arrived... 3 levels of cakes, tarts and savouries... Macarons, scones, finger sanwiches, mini baguettes, eclairs, cheesecake and more!

I was very tempted to start with the top plate of sweets - they looked too good to resist...

However, being the good girl that I am, I did the right thing and had savoury first. My absolute favourite savoury item was the profiterole filled with goat's cheese and mushroom - it was so delicious :)

Now we all know that the litmus test in measuring the quality of an afternoon tea is the scones. I can confirm that they were very good - warm, soft and fluffy.. And they weren't covered in flour either, which was a relief for me. My pet hate is when you're wearing lip gloss and you bite into a floury scone.. all the flour gets stuck on your lips and it looks (and feels) awful!  Anyway, I do digress... I must mention the jam! We couldn't get enough of the strawberry jam... it was so good. Quite possibly the best strawberry jam I've ever had (a big call, I know!)

At this point we were all in need of a glass of water, and hence my only real criticism of the high tea at Sofitel was the service.. The staff were pleasant when we dealt with them, but I felt the lounge was quite understaffed on the day as it was very difficult to get their attention. My table asked multiple times for water before we actually received it.. I consider myself quite a patient patron but at one point I was so parched I contemplated going and getting my own from the bar!

For me there were two fantastic sweet items. First, the Peach Meringue Tart - tarlets filled with white peach curd and topped with scroched meringue.

However, for me the clear winner was the Raspberry Opera Slice- a layered sponge with raspberries and dark chocolate... We all swooned a little when we tried this little cake.. Doesn't it look beautiful?

Oh what a sweet ending to a lovely afternoon tea with the ladies... I can taste the opera slice now... Oh how dreamy!

I recommend giving the Wentworth Afternoon Tea a try if you're visiting Sydney some time. It's vegetarian friendly and there is also a gluten-free menu available. Check out their website for more details on the full afternoon tea menu.

Wentworth Afternoon Tea

Sofitel Sydney
61-101 Phillip St
Sydney NSW 2000
2 to 5 pm daily, including weekends
$49 per person, $59 per person with a glass of champagne
http://www.sofitelsydney.com.au/afternoon-tea.html