The quintessential English Afternoon Tea experience- served in the grandeur of the iconic The Peninsula Lobby
March 31st, 2013
Afternoon high tea service at The Peninsula Hotels world-wide follows the time-honoured tradition first adopted by The Peninsula Hong Kong when it opened back in 1928, in British colonial-era Hong Kong. The afternoon high tea service has since become an institution at subsequent The Peninsula Hotels that have opened across the major cities of Asia, the USA and Europe. Since its original inception in England, the variety of finger sandwiches, scones and cakes served with the tea has evolved as the concept was spread across the globe- principally within the grand luxury hotels. More contemporary cuisine influences have been included to create a greater diversity of menu selections that are attuned to local culinary tastes- but always remaining faithful to the traditional concept of the afternoon tea service.
At The Peninsula Hong Kong, the Classic Afternoon Tea is served daily from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm in the glamorous grandeur of The Peninsula Lobby- a stunning space of grand proportions and storied heritage. Immensely popular with tourists in particular, but also with local residents and hotel guests, the sublime afternoon tea service at The Peninsula Lobby delivers an experience of sophisticated indulgence amid the serenity and comfortable elegance of the historic Lobby. Live music is also a feature of the Afternoon Tea service- with a String Quartet playing daily ( except Mondays) from their perch on the balcony overlooking The Lobby, and the recently re-introduced glamorous social event- Sunday Afternoon Tea Dance– held monthly in The Lobby.
The Peninsula Classic Afternoon Tea Set is priced at HK$ 328 for one person, or HK$ 588 for two. And note that table reservations are not taken for Afternoon Tea- so a well-managed queuing process is the accepted norm.
The Peninsula Lobby- the Lobby is split into two sections on either side of the main hotel entrance- with a total seating capacity for approximately 200 guests. Elegant furnishings include red marble topped tables matched with luxuriously upholstered dining chairs. Magnificent carpets are laid over the polished white marble flooring.
The Lobby extends across the entire frontage of the main hotel building- with the large windows suffusing the interior with abundant natural light.
The Classic Peninsula Afternoon Tea
The table setting for the Classic Afternoon Tea- with the triple-tiered stand- and exquisite Tiffany chinaware.
The triple-tiered Afternoon Tea Set.
Lower Tier – Freshly baked raisin scones, Devonshire clotted cream and strawberry preserve
Middle Tier– A selection of finger sandwiches and savoury pastries- including:
– Cucumber sandwiches- the English classic
– Roast beef sandwiches and salmon cream cheese sandwiches
– Assorted savoury pastries including mini quiche.
Top Tier– Dessert items include:
– Caramel sponge with vanilla mousse and green apple jelly
-Financier with pistachio cream and Amarena cherry
-Macaroons (vanilla, pistachio, coffee, raspberry, chocolate and lemon)
-Chocolate truffle
-Lemon and poppy seed cake
-Chocolate and passion fruit tart with raspberry marshmallow
-Vanilla panna cotta with red berry compote
The Classic Afternoon Tea Set includes a choice of teas from The Peninsula Tea Collection–
– Chinese selection: Jasmine, Pu Er, Rose or Ti Guan Yin
– Classic selection: Assam, Darjeeling, Earl Grey, Peninsula Afternoon, or Peninsula Breakfast
– Flavoured selection: Almond, caramel, cinnamon, mango, passion fruit, peach, raspberry or rose.
Classic Afternoon Tea- at The Peninsula Hong Kong
Address: The Peninsula Lobby, SalisburyRoad, Tsimshatsui, Kowloon. Hong Kong
MTR: TST station Exit E- 3 minutes walk, or East TST station- Exit L3
Enquiries: +852. 2696 6693 Note: No reservations accepted for Afternoon Tea.
Website: www.peninsula.com/Hong_Kong
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/ThePeninsulaHongKong
Opening hours: Daily 2:00 pm ~ 6:00 pm
Dress Code: Smart Casual
See also review articles on The Bar, Salon de Ning Lounge Bar and FELIX Restaurant.
