After a whole year, I finally had the opportunity to try out the High Tea at Mandarin Oriental’s Axis Bar and Lounge. Damn, I can’t think of a place that serves better high teas than Axis!
High tea is served between 3 to 5pm everyday, so M and I headed down after school. Called to make a reservation, so they had already set out the table in a nice and cozy corner for us.
Upon ordering, we were presented with the coffee and tea menu, which we stared at for a good five minutes, contemplating which tea out of the 20 teas we should have. Ordered one Esprit de Noel, which was a black tea flavored with mild christmas spices, orange zest, and vanilla. Tastes better with some rock sugar. The a L’Opera was a green tea with subtle fragrance of red berreis and precious spices. Loved it pure, with no added milk or sugar.
We’re huge fans of 3 tier tea sets. For one, they’re pretty. And we don’t exactly like buffets, so tiered sets are perfect for us.
Bottom-most tier of finger sandwiches consisting of:
- ham and cheese sandwich
- cucumber and cream cheese sandwich
- pita read stuffed with roast beef and brie cheese
- pita bread stuffed with egg tartar, creme fraiche, and chives
- smoked salmon on pumpernickel bread
- spiced tuna and onions on breadcrumbs
Served in a bowl were 4 savories:
- feta cheese and sun-dried tomato puff
- zucchini and goat cheese puff
- potato, bacon and red onion quiche
- spinach quiche
Everything was really amazing here, full-flavors, and fresh ingredients. Especially memorable were the quiches. I don’t typically like quiches because I hardly find them with not-too-thick crusts, and with not too much butter and cheese. This one was perfect. Light, slightly salty, delicious.
Sweet and savory second tier consisting of:
- traditional English scones with clotted cream and preserves
- English fruit cake
- Valrhona chocolate and green tea cake
- mango kaffir lime cremeux
- cauliflower panna cotta.
Scones were not to my liking, much to my disappointment. I’ve been craving scones for the longest time – crisp on the outside, and moist on the inside. This was was rather crisp both inside and outside. But it’s a matter of preference!
I loved the fruit cake. Moist, and not too sweet.
The mango cremeux tipped over too much on the sweetness scale for my liking.
The cauliflower panna cotta was amazing. Not for the celery-hater, I must qualify.
And finally, the most anticipated tier – the sweet top tier consisting of:
- dark chocolate and orange tart
- fresh fruit tart with creme d’amande
- Mango kaffir lime cremeux
- batonette of coffee and pinenut
- choux puff with raspberry cream
- earl grey and sarawak pineapple crumble tart
- almond friandise with kiwi jam
- salted caramel macaron.
For a long while, I felt like I was in dessert heaven. Nothing further, your honor.
Tea is served daily from 3.00 pm to 5.00 pm, and 12.00 pm to 2.30 pm (Saturday and Sunday and Public Holidays only). $38++ for one person, and $65++ for two persons.
My verdict: 5/5 spoonfuls.
guiltygoodness 
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