ANYWAY, I stayed on the Peninsula resort in Hong Kong per week or so in the past. The Peninsula is understood for a lot of issues and one among them is their Afternoon Tea. It’s a excessive society occasion the place folks go to see and be seen. It’s open to all, however solely visitors at The Peninsula could make reservations, everybody else should wait in a line that will get fairly lengthy. Why is it such a giant deal? The service is meant to be good and it takes place within the grand foyer of a resort that takes you again to the British colonial days of Hong Kong (for higher or worse).
So what was it like? Learn on to search out out.
The Peninsula Resort sits on Salisbury Street subsequent to the Victoria Harbour promenade, the place it’s been an icon for effectively over 100 years. Every little thing about it’s steeped in luxurious, and by that I additionally imply all the things is REALLY EXPENSIVE. Anyhow, I used to be staying there for an evening so fortunately I used to be capable of make a day tea reservation by calling the concierge. My tea time (golf joke, heh) was 2:30pm and my check-out time on the resort was 4:00pm so I went forward and bought packed and prepared earlier than tea after which made my method all the way down to the resort foyer.
The foyer of the Peninsula can finest be described as “palatial” and harkens you instantly again to the colonial days, very similar to the Raffles Resort in Singapore. It’s completely attractive and effectively embellished.
Like I discussed, there was fairly an extended line ready for tea, however a jazz band was enjoying so no person appeared too offended in regards to the wait. If nothing else, I’m certain it was good to get out of the humidity for some time.
I checked in with the concierge about 10 minutes earlier than my reservation time and was promptly escorted to my desk. I had an incredible view of the remainder of the foyer and the desk had a pleasant little Easter-themed ornament (it was Easter weekend).
I used to be offered with a gold-embossed menu.
The worth for tea was 368HKD for one particular person or 658HKD for 2 folks (roughly $47 and $84 USD, respectively). If you happen to wished so as to add a glass of champagne (duh) that was 220HKD ($28 USD, okay perhaps not as duh, however I nonetheless bought one). I’m not a lot of a tea fanatic and do not know how to decide on the best tea so I simply selected a ardour fruit tea considerably authoritatively to behave like I knew what I used to be doing.
My desk was set earlier than me with what was apparently fancy silverware so I needed to get an image of it for the tens of millions lots of of 1000’s three or 4 silverware lovers who learn my weblog.
A server got here up and supplied me a stunning glass of champagne, Deutz Cuvee Peninsula.
Since I used to be paying out the nostril for the glass I attempted to drink it slowly and savor it. Style-wise it was strong however slightly dry for my style. It’s no Dom 2000 by any stretch.
After champagne time was over they introduced a three-tier serving platter, the degrees containing the scones, sandwiches, and pastries which might be a part of your typical excessive tea service.
First issues first have been the scones. I get pleasure from a scone however choose good ol’ southern biscuits, however nonetheless the scones have been superb. And sure I had the clotted cream and jam as effectively.
After a minute I assumed to myself “wait the place’s the tea?” Nearly on cue, my tea set was delivered in the entire pomp and circumstance you’d count on (not like a refrain of angels or something, simply a whole lot of varied china cups and plates and teaware, I dunno).
My ardour fruit tea was completely beautiful, to the diploma that I believe that I’d really begin making tea on the common. I slowly drank my tea and loved the remainder of my snackies.
I believe my favourite finger sandwich factor was the salmon tart (as a result of gold leaf) and my favourite pastry was the apple tart (as a result of apple tart).
Lastly I got here to the final little bit of my tea and it additionally wrapped up the final little bit of my keep at The Peninsula. Full assessment of the Peninsula keep is coming quickly, however I’ll put it merely and say that I believe it was really well worth the cash (and I paid for the room with my very own cash, no blogger charge or something). The afternoon tea appeared hectic at first however the Peninsula employees dealt with all the things effectively and with ample aplomb. The wait employees left loads of time between every service providing, which might’ve been excellent had I been eating with somebody, however even eating alone it was good that they didn’t rush me or something.
Would I’ve waited in line to do the tea service? Not an opportunity, however that’s not as a result of it wasn’t extremely good, moreso that I simply don’t like ready in traces for actually something. If you happen to’re staying at The Peninsula you completely should do excessive tea, for those who’re not and also you don’t thoughts a comparatively snug wait serenaded by jazz music then I believe it’s an honest worth in your cash and a extremely memorable expertise.
Have you ever finished afternoon tea at The Peninsula? What did you assume? Inform me within the feedback beneath!
