Not all good things are here to stay, so we’ve rounded up a list of the most interesting limited-edition afternoon teas in town. Scones, anyone?
Ralph Lauren x SEVVA
In celebration of Ralph Lauren’s newly launched womenswear store in LANDMARK Prince’s Building, tastemaker extraordinaire Bonnae Gokson has created an All American Afternoon Tea that embodies classic American flavours but with a swish of international elegance. On the menu are scrumptious items like mac and cheese spring roll, Kurobuta hot dog, devilled eggs, chicken Waldorf and chocolate brownie and carrot cake made from Ralph Lauren’s personal recipes. A mini cherry-topped banana-split sundae cake, dressed in a classic Ralph Lauren cut-lace Ricky pattern, is the crowning jewel of this afternoon set.
The All American Afternoon Tea is offered until 11 June and is priced at $820 for two.
SEVVA, 25/F, Prince’s Building, 10 Chater Road, Central, 2537 1388
Guerlain x Palm Court at The Langham
Palm Court’s latest collaboration with make-up brand Guerlain brings out the girlie side in us. To commemorate the launch of Guerlain’s La Petite Robe Noire collection, the patissiers at Palm Court have created delicate treats based around various lipsticks in the new series. There’s the Flora Headband, a chocolate filled with strawberry and rose jam that is presented shaped like a lipstick, and adorable lollipops moulded into lips made from couverture chocolate. There’s the Coral Collar, verbena jelly with white peach mousse, and the scrumptious Leather Blazer, a hazelnut log cake baked with hazelnut crisps and topped with milk chocolate ganache.
An exclusive Guerlain gift set and beauty express services come complimentary with each set. The collaborative menu runs until 31 July and is priced at $348 per person or $598 for two.
Palm Court, The Langham, 8 Peking Road, TST, 2132 7898
Pomellato x The Continental
If you like some bling with your tea, The Continental’s collaborative menu with Italian jewellery brand Pomellato might just be, well, your cup of tea. Highlights on the bejewelled menu include goat’s milk cheesecake with red onion jam, roast beef crostini and Earl Grey lemon cake. It’s never too early to indulge in a little alcohol, and guests can swap the classic teas for stronger libations, such as the Oro Milano, a tonka-bean-infused Cocchi Bianco with Luxardo Maraschino, or the Black Diamond, a blend of Tanqueray and crème de violette.
Sets for two people are priced at $385 and come with a Pomellato shopping voucher to capitalise on some rational shopping after the boozy tea. The menu runs until 31 May.
The Continental, Level 4, Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Admiralty, 2704 5211
Godiva x The Ritz-Carlton
A 90th birthday is a big deal, so Godiva Chef Chocolatier Philippe Daue has teamed up with The Ritz Executive Chefs Peter Find and Richard Long to create a very special afternoon collection to celebrate the chocolatier’s hallmark anniversary. Using only the finest Belgium chocolates, this indulgent afternoon tea includes eight iconic chocolates and a brand-new flavour to take guests on a gastronomic journey through the decades.
Sets are priced at $428 per person, and this special menu runs until 18 June.
The Lounge & Bar, 102/F, The Ritz-Carlton, ICC, 1 Austin Road West, Kowloon, 2263 2270
Jrink
It’s only fitting that a speciality teahouse would come up with a specially designed afternoon tea set to showcase the eight distinct categories of teas on the menu. Jrink in Tai Hang has been building a cult following thanks to their scrumptious desserts and unique tea blends. The newest afternoon tea set, soothingly named Pastel Colour, encompasses four courses of dessert euphoria. There’s a matcha mousse paired with condensed matcha sauce, a delicate pavlova topped with fresh strawberries, a selection of hazelnut and vanilla éclairs, as well as chocolate brownies frosted with cream cheese.
Afternoon tea is available every Thursday to Saturday and is priced at $198 per person.
Jrink, 21 Ormsby Street, Tai Hang, 2284 4203
Hotel ICON
If you’re the type that doesn’t like to get your hands dirty, Hotel ICON has just the afternoon tea for you. Created by Executive Chef Philip Leung and Executive Pastry Chef Danny Ho, both savoury and sweet treats in this afternoon tea are served entirely in spoons. On the savoury side, there’s lobster medallion Waldorf salad, seared scallop with pesto risotto, foie gras cube with port wine jelly and salmon with caviar cream. Equally enticing are the sweet temptations, including tea and lychee mousses, a red fruits chocolate ball and lime-vanilla white chocolate cream. All sweet treats are crafted from Tea WG-infused flavours.
The Tea WG-inspired afternoon tea runs until 30 June and is priced at $218 per person or $388 for two. Guests get a chance to win a Tea WG hamper.
GREEN, Hotel ICON, 17 Science Museum Road, TST East, 3400 1300
Seasons by Olivier E.
A tranquil oasis tucked amidst the chaos of Causeway Bay, Seasons by Olivier E. has been a haven for afternoon tea connoisseurs since its inception in 2014. The Michelin-starred restaurant has recently unveiled a brand-new tea set, served in a traditional three-tiered stand, as well as Seasons’ signature rustic wooden box. There’s plenty to choose from on the savoury side, ranging from foie gras creamed egg and prawn toast to lobster jelly and mini sliders. There is also a selection of matcha green tea mousse, black chocolate Rocher, tarte Tatin and chestnut and meringue tart to satisfy the sweet-toothed. Our favourites, however, have to be the scones, which are addictively buttery.
The tea set is priced at $248 per person or $468 for two.
Seasons by Olivier E., Shop 308, 3/F, Lee Garden Two, 28 Yun Ping Road, Causeway Bay, 2505 6228
French Window Brasserie and Bar
Like Pandora’s box, the first-ever afternoon tea by French Window keeps guests guessing. The mysterious black boxes are filled with a decadent line-up of French pastries. There are six kinds of savoury morsels ranging from a duck foie gras macaron, to a lobster vol-au-vent, to a lemony crab and avocado bagel, to smoked salmon on sourdough. The upper deck of the sleek black box is bejewelled with delicate pastries ranging from rose angel cake dusted in gold to vanilla cream roll and nutty chocolate puff. Premium French Kusmi Tea makes for easy sipping alongside the delicate morsels.
The tea set is priced at $468 for two people, with $268 added for each additional guest. The Pandora’s Box set is available every Friday through Sunday afternoon.
French Window Brasserie and Bar, 3101, Level 3, ifc Mall, 8 Finance Street, Central, 2393 3812
Park Hotel
As summer’s heat creeps over Hong Kong, Park Hotel has unveiled a ‘mango fiesta’ to try to beat the rising temperatures. There’s an afternoon tea buffet, as well as a tea set comprised of all things mango. We love the sound of lobster salad with mango and cucumber and Parma ham with refreshing slices of mango. There’s even mango tiramisu, millefeuille and Hokkaido milk mango pudding on the menu.
The Mango Fiesta tea set is available until July and is priced at $108 per set on weekdays and $138 per set from Fridays to Sundays.
Park café, Park Hotel, 61-65 Chatham Road South, TST East, 2731 2168
Roxy x W Hong Kong
Surf’s up this summer at the W Hong Kong. This edgy, fashion-forward hotel has teamed up with Roxy to present an afternoon tea set inspired by the surf brand’s summer collection. Designed by Hong Kong model Gaile, the summer swimsuit collection revolves around tribal patterns, and the design is reflected in the afternoon tea set. Seasonal fruits from mango to passion fruit add accents to the tea set, with highlights ranging from a crab and citrus mayo charcoal brioche, to a roasted Australian lamb and tomato club, to surfboard-shaped serradura.
The Roxy-inspired tea set runs until the end of June and is available at $418 for two people from Monday to Friday. During the weekends and on public holidays, an equally enticing afternoon tea buffet is offered at $268 per person.
WOOBAR, W Hong Kong, ICC, 1 Austin Road West, Kowloon, 3717 2889
The Envoy
A boozy afternoon tea? Yes please! Starting May 23rd, The Envoy is offering a classic 3-tiered tea set filled with Chinese tea deviled eggs, elderflower cream cheese sandwich, pandan kaya mascarpone sponge cake, masala tea panna cotta and blueberry and pomegranate tea macaron. There’s also a scones board with blueberry as well as potato and bacon scones. There’s also a boozy upgrade available with tea-based cocktails!
Tea sets priced at $398 per person, available weekdays from 3-5:30pm. Scones board at $118 per person.
The Envoy, 3/F, The Pottinger, 74 Queen’s Road Central, 2169 3311