Five new afternoon teas in Hong Kong to tempt you

Hongkongers love that colonial hangover, the afternoon tea. Whether it’s a traditional one with scones and clotted cream, cucumber finger sandwiches and pastries, or creative ones with foie gras mousse macarons and wagyu beefburgers, many can’t resist indulging in an afternoon treat. These are some of the newest offerings worth sampling.

The French Window Brasserie and Bar

Soak in the views of Victoria Harbour and beyond as you indulge in The Pandora’s Box Afternoon Tea. It comes in a massive rectangular box with drawers that pull out – even more treats, hence the name.

For savouries, there’s the duck foie gras macaron, lobster vol au vent, lemony crab and avocado bagel, and smoked salmon on sourdough. We quite liked the lobster treat, and the smoked salmon on sourdough.

Desserts are the main event here, the star of which is the rose angel cake with gold flakes. The small deep pink-coloured cake is delicious, with hints of rose flavour. We also quite liked the nutty chocolate puff and the light and fluffy vanilla cream roll.

If afternoon tea isn’t complete without scones, four pieces can be ordered freshly baked and accompanied with clotted cream, blueberry jam and strawberry jam for HK$68.

The Pandora’s Box Afternoon Tea is HK$468 for two and is available every Friday, Saturday, Sunday and public holidays from 3.30pm-5.30pm.

French Window Brasserie and Bar, Shop 3101, Podium Level 3, IFC Mall, 1 Harbour View Street, Central. Tel: 2393 3812

Urban Park

Care to take your afternoon tea outside? Urban Park in Tsim Sha Tsui invites guests to put out a blanket on their AstroTurf and savour their afternoon tea set with friends in a laid-back setting.

The tea set arrives in a two-tiered presentation in a bird cage topped with flowers and butterflies. Savouries include Scottish smoked salmon toast, Parma ham and cheese pancake roll, and prawn cocktails, while sweets feature butterfly cakes with lemon butter cream, fresh fruit tarts, macarons in purple potato and raspberry flavours, and blueberry cheesecakes. Don’t forget the mini marshmallow tree for a sweet finish.

The Butterfly Blossom Afternoon Tea is HK$239 for two from Monday to Friday in both Central and Tsim Sha Tsui branches, and HK$289 for two on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays at the Central branch.

Urban Park, 4/F, Attitude Hotel, 20-22 Granville Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, tel: 2751 1999; 2/F, Nan Fung Place, 173 Des Voeux Road Central, Central, tel: 3708 8083

Lounge & Bar, Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong

Godiva is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year and is marking the milestone with a special chocolate-themed afternoon tea at the Lounge & Bar in the Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong until June 19.

The Collection Anniversaire afternoon tea illustrates the milestones in the Belgian chocolatier’s nine-decade history, with eight chocolate creations and a brand new flavour to celebrate its 90th. These include the dark and white chocolate barquette, hazelnut milk chocolate dacquoise, and chocolate caramel cupcake. There are a few savoury bites to sample, such as the lemon sandwich with chocolate foie gras mousse and semi-dried tomato cream cheese sandwich.

The afternoon tea is HK$458 per person from Monday to Thursday 3pm-6pm, and Fridays 2.15pm-4.15pm, and 4.30pm-6.30pm; Saturday, Sunday and public holidays noon-2pm, 2.15pm-4.15pm, and 4.30pm-6.30pm.

The Lounge & Bar, Level 102, The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong, 1 Austin Road West, Kowloon. Tel: 2263 2270 or em-ail [email protected]

Sevva

Style maven Bonnae Gokson has teamed up with all-American fashion designer Ralph Lauren to create a new afternoon tea from May 12 to June 11. To celebrate the launch of his line of womenswear at the Landmark Prince’s flagship store, the afternoon tea presents American flavours, including some of Lauren’s favourite bites.

There are a dozen different delicious items to nibble on, such as devilled eggs with bacon crisps, mac’n’cheese spring roll, lobster and avocado sandwich, chicken Waldorf cup, wagyu beefburger, peaches and cream, apple crumble with shaved cheddar and Lauren’s signature chocolate brownie, carrot and cheese cake.

Another tempting dessert is a Gokson creation, cherry topped banana split sundae cake. Chewy brownies are decorated with red, white and blue stripes, while strawberries are covered in white chocolate.

The All American High Tea is HK$820 for two and is available from now until June 11 from Monday to Friday 2.30pm-5pm, and Saturdays 3pm-5.30pm.

Sevva, 25/F, Prince’s Building, 10 Chater Road, Central. Tel: 2537 1388

Woobar, W Hong Kong

This creative afternoon tea is inspired by fashion brand Roxy and its collaboration with supermodel Gaile Lai – who these days wants us to call her simply Gaile. Presented in a clear, three-tiered box, there are more than 10 desserts to sample, each decorated in sun-kissed colours like pink, green and yellow.

Some of the treats are shaped like surfboards – one of Lai’s hobbies – and some of the fun and delicious highlights include crab and citrus mayo charcoal brioche, roasted Australian lamb and tomato club, serradura complete with a mini surf board in it, and macarons with lips on them.

The afternoon tea set is HK$418 for two and available from Monday to Friday, 2.30pm-6pm, and Saturday, Sunday and public holidays (HK$268 per person on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays) from 2pm-4pm, and 4.30pm-6.30pm.

Woobar, 6/F, W Hong Kong, 1 Austin Road West, Kowloon Station, Kowloon. Tel: 3717 2889