Interactive Desserts At Regent Singapore’s Tea Lounge
Upping the ante on the afternoon tea experience is Regent Singapore‘s refurbished tea lounge. The new setup sees a backdrop of lush greenery, colonial style decor, and a dessert station where you’ll be able to see award-winning pastry chef Alex Chong pulling sugar and crafting creations from scratch. On weekdays, a three-tier set (from $48) with scones, finger sandwiches, and quiches are offered with a choice of interactive plated desserts. Our favourite? The ‘green apple’ sugar piece that you crack open to reveal yuzu apple compote, hazelnut molasses crumble and olive oil sponge with vanilla fromage blanc sorbet. Tea selections have also been given an upgrade to include about 30 different brews, while pour-over coffee is served table side from a trolley. On weekends, look forward to the hotel’s popular high tea buffet ($61 per pax) – the spread has been expanded to include new items like Peking Duck Egg Pancake with Regent BBQ sauce.
1 Cuscaden Road, Singapore 249715. Tel: +65 6725 3246
Pollen X Hendrick’s Afternoon Tea
Inspired by Hendrick’s gin, modern European restaurant Pollen launches a new afternoon tea menu incorporating 11 botanicals present in the spirit. Expect 12 sweet and savoury treats from Pollen’s kitchen to go with Hendrick’s two tea cocktails specially created by Hendrick’s brand ambassador Tasha Lu for this occasion. Reflecting the botanical theme well, the Miles & Miles comprises of Hendrick’s gin, chamomile tea, fresh lemon juice and St Germain elderflower liquer while the Matcha Mint Mello features Hendrick’s gin, mint leaves, lime juice and matcha tea. Take your pick from a spread that includes Lady Grey petit choux, braised duck with Stilton and chilli cookie or Braised Beef Cheek in lemon pickled carrot. Of course, no afternoon tea is complete without the requisite scones and jelly – Pollen offers Dried Apple and Cranberry Scones that pair perfectly with bottles of Elderflower and Strawberry Jelly. Pollen X Hendrick’s Afternoon Tea is available for $50 per person from 14 September to 30 November 2017.
18 Marina Gardens Drive, #01-09, Singapore 018953. Tel: +65 6604 9988
Dim-sum Delights At Si Chuan Dou Hua Restaurant
Located on the 60th floor of UOB Plaza, Si Chuan Dou Hua is indisputably one of the most scenic restaurants in town. Their new restaurant bar Chuān (川) at the Sixtieth has concocted a Forbidden Blossom cocktail to go with their Imperial High Tea, a dim sum-centric afternoon tea set that includes nine handcrafted dim sum items and two premium Chinese teas. Created by veteran bartender Anthony Zhong, the Forbidden Blossom cocktail is made with elderflower liquer, grapefruit juice and tonic water – the perfect accompaniment to a mid-day tête-à-tête. Aside from the Forbidden Blossoms cocktail, guests can also choose to order the Kyuri Sling ($20) or Oriental Beauty ($22) cocktail. With a rotating food menu that changes monthly, the Imperial High Tea with a craft cocktail is available at $40 per person from 2.30PM to 6PM daily, only at UOB Plaza.
80 Raffles Place, #60-01 UOB Plaza 1, Singapore 048624. Tel: +65 6535 6006
Artisanal Tea Pairing At Renku Bar & Lounge
In the grand hotel lobby of Marina Bay Sands (MBS) sits Renku, a new bar and lounge offering exquisite delicacies with an Asian-inspired touch. Its afternoon tea is one-of-a-kind, with professional Tea Masters on hand to provide personalised tableside service. Tea blends are suggested according to individual preferences, and can be customised by pairing tea bases (green, white or black) with fresh herbs and flowers like butterfly blue pea, rosemary, or kaffir lime. An interesting fact? They all come from MBS’ own herb garden. Exclusive to MBS are the tea blends Marina Pearls – with a faint jasmine aroma – and Durian Lapis, an intriguing blend of black tea with durian. Diners can try the various types of tea, so long as it’s within their one and a half hour seating. The three-course afternoon tea menu is served via elegant gueridon trolleys. Take your pick from sandwiches like the Prawn Avocado with Tobiko Aioli and the Tomato & Burrata with Macadamia Pesto, followed by traditional scones. Luscious cakes like the Yuzu Cream Cheese Mille Feuille will appeal to those with a sweet tooth and a taste for the decadent. Another bonus is that Renku’s lounge operates 24 hours, satisfying guests’ cravings throughout the day. Available at 2 to 3.30PM and 4 to 5.30PM , Renku’s Afternoon High Tea is $48++ on weekdays and $53++ on weekends.
10 Bayfront Ave, Hotel Lobby Tower 1, Singapore 018956. Tel: +65 6688 5535
Afternoon Tea In Great Gatsby Style
Vaulted high ceilings with glided gold frescos and a luxurious Art-Deco-esque vibe sets the scene for a sublime afternoon indulgence at ATLAS bar. In true Great Gatsby fashion, expect decadent nibbles like Croque Monsieur, crab croquettes, Iberico Jamon on toast, and savoury eclairs sandwiching slivers of Wagyu – all served up on a 2-tier copper stand. No afternoon tea is complete without staples like madeleines, boozy canelés, and scones served with clotted cream and homemade jam. Classics aside, ATLAS also offers a beautiful array of desserts like Strawberry Eton Mess, petite salted caramel bon bons, and lemon curd cheesecake. Afternoon tea comes with a choice of teas: ATLAS Selection ($52 per pex), which includes brews like Milk Oolong and the Prestige Selection ($56 per pax) which includes rarer picks like the Chinese Huoshan Yellow Bud tea. No matter the occasion, there is always a reason for bubbly – after all, ATLAS is well-known for its comprehensive Champagne selection. Throw in an additional $18 for your afternoon tea set to be served with a glass of Louis Roederer Champagne.
600 North Bridge Road, Parkview Square, Singapore 188778. Tel: +65 6396 4466
Peranakan Style Afternoon Tea
Following an eight-month long renovation, The Lobby Lounge at Shangri-La Hotel Singapore reopens to showcase the best of Peranakan heritage. Settle yourself on a plush sofa and while away the afternoon with the 3-Tier Local Signature Afternoon Tea Set ($30 per pax). For the main affair, highlights include perfectly flaky traditional Hainanese chicken curry puffs, kueh pie tee (crispy shells stuffed with slow-braised radish) and bo lo pau (buns stuffed with barbecued pork). On rotation is white radish cake, or a choice of satays made according to a recipe from chef Jimmy Teng’s grandmother. Save space for desserts like gula melaka (palm sugar) macarons and comforting hot dessert soups like pulot hitam (black glutinous rice). Available Monday to Friday from 3pm to 5.30pm.
22 Orange Grove Road, Shangri-La Hotel Singapore, Singapore 258350. Tel: +65 6213 4288 / 4398
