Ambiance

Grandeur, in Art Deco style, follows guests at every step of the way around the Esplanade Hotel. The old charm of the 1920s is equally tantalizing and fascinating. However, we felt a sense of safety and tranquillity during our high tea time in the Esplanade 1925 Lounge and Cocktail Bar. Shiny chandeliers and spotless surfaces do that to us. We particularly loved how natural light put the dark wooden furnishings in the spotlight.

Lounge Bar 1925 Drinks Menu

The stocked bar can be seen from far away, but the menu names even more. Even though we were fixed on Ronnfeldt tea we noticed the signature cocktails. We love that cocktails are designed by the prominent mixed drink of the decade since the hotel opened its doors in 1925. Naturally, you’ll also find famous cocktails in the Esplanade bar as well. Along with a handful of LABV cocktails, mocktails, and spritz distinctions. For those looking for something stronger, rest assured you’ll get your needs met in the world of strong spirits. Then it is also a good idea to taste some local craft. A big portion of the menu belongs to the wine, coming from all over Europe.

Our Tea Selection

Pai Mu Tan

The invigorating fruity and floral aroma of the organic white tea enchanted us immediately. Large leaves were able to give their best due to the loose manner. The natural sweetness was clear with every sip and spoke to us about candied fruit and maracuja. We were also glad of the gentle astringent finish coming from the tannins. Pai Mu Tan tea kept on the gripping charm even for the second brew, so we suggest you enjoy it to the max as well.

Fancy Sencha

Fancy Sencha has a smooth body with gentle bitter-sweet notes. The aroma of the freshly cut grass comes as an introduction into the Japanese realm of tea making. Indeed, steaming the picked leaves improves the final product. Although the vegetal notes come from the tea leaves themselves, the process just intensifies it. Taste on the other hand is quite tart but it comes with a rounded sweetness.

Esplanade Afternoon Tea Bites

Savories

The one with the mildest flavors was the first to go, that goes for the grilled cheese on toast. Roasted full-grain toast bonded with grilled cheese nicely. The pair were accompanied by the avocado mousse in the middle and zingy Asian microgreens on top.

Next one was the smoked salmon on focaccia bread. We loved the generous portion of the herbal curd cheese underneath the salmon and rocket for more textural flavor.

We are always happy when prosciutto is so soft it melts in the mouth. That was the case in our last canape and we loved every bite of it.

Sweets

It is always hard to choose where to start first when you have a bunch of sweet delicacies in front of you. However, we try to start with more neutral and lighter delights, continue with fruity ones and finish with chocolate ones. Every bite is accompanied by tea and our palate is clean for the next bite.

Firstly, we grabbed a nice-looking Choux au craquelin. Perfect choux pastry should have a light, airy, and crisp texture. The exterior should be delicately crisp, while the inside should be hollow with just a slight chew. Here the pastry itself was splendid. To elevate this, the creamy raspberry filling was spot on in the craquelin cream puff. It was also a great match to the pistachio cream that was on the top.

Our taste buds were still rioting from the last bite, but here comes a new – raspberry mousse cup. As expected, the blossom-shaped delicacy tasted floral and fruity at the same time, mostly reminiscent of raspberry and rose.

Both macaron cookies tasted as great as they looked. One was hiding the taste of the blueberry behind the sweet veil, while the other wasn’t straightforward. It only gave off a hint of marzipan. However, the technicalities of the great macaroon were all there.

One could say that cake pops were different just in terms of the chocolate. However, we found toothsome nuts in the one coated with ruby chocolate. The other cake pop was plain red velvet with milk chocolate around it.

The last sweet bite we took at the Esplanade Hotel in Zagreb was a chocolate praline filled with nougat and hazelnuts. Crunchy and yet brittle chocolate filled with lavish nougat cream is all you need for great praline. Simply delicious.

Fruit

What can one say about the fruit for our afternoon tea in Zagreb? Well, given the fact that wintertime is no season for basically anything, we must compliment the chef on making strawberries as tasty as they were. Marinated strawberries were brought to life with no signs of struggle.

Final Thought

We can’t say we didn’t miss scones, because we did. They are an item that connects the past with the future and they taste wonderful doing it. Especially, when they are topped with clotted cream and old-fashioned jam. But we don’t hold missing scones against Esplanade Hotel. We know this is just the beginning of something new they brought to town. Afternoon tea isn’t exactly a big trend in this part of Europe, and keeping scones fresh at all times would be a challenge. However, every bite, the service, and the ambiance were spot on. They can proudly serve their afternoon tea and maybe even help make it a trend in Zagreb!

Esplanade Afternoon Tea Review Card

• 9.5/10
  ATMOSPHERE – 9.5/10
• 9.5/10
  SERVICE – 9.5/10
• 9.3/10
  TEA SELECTION – 9.3/10
• 9.2/10
  PRESENTATION – 9.2/10
• 9/10
  BITES – 9/10
• 9.6/10
  VALUE – 9.6/10

Price and Location

Afternoon tea at Esplanade will cost you about 47 USD. Here is a link to the location so you can pay them a visit.

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How We Rate High Teas?

Probably you are asking how can you trust us with the rating? Let’s just say we are 100% foodies with a rare condition called – honesty. If something doesn’t meet our expectations we share our thoughts, because there is no time for bull****. Our high tea reviews have six criteria, scaling from 0 to 10. These are atmosphere, service, tea selection, presentation, bites, and value. Comparing all can be quite tricky because each place is unique. It is also worth saying that how we felt there matters as well.

Landmark72

Landmark72 is the highest afternoon tea we have ever been to. Up there on the 62nd floor, we couldn’t get over the bird’s eye perspective. Everything felt different including the afternoon tea at the very spacious Hive Lounge. Honestly telling, we felt like we were in a castle, high up in the clouds. During our visit, we were able to try an elegant-looking mix of modern and rustic delicacies. Savory part of the menu were delicious sandwiches and a tasty warm selection of English favorites. Scones were perfect and sweets were of fabulous finger-licking quality. On top of that, the tea selection of 28 DAMMANN Frères loose tea was quite extraordinary as well. An added bonus to the afternoon tea menu at the Hive Lounge at InterContinental Hanoi Landmark72 changes every three months to fit in the local produce.

This High Tea Outlet is best for:

Fearless gourmands

Metropole Hanoi

The next one is the famous Metropole Hanoi High Tea. As soon as we found the window table at the Le Club lounge, we noticed the neat greenery outside. Before that, we admired the fine elements of a legendary building known as the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hotel. Our senses were engaged with so many details and we were happy to keep them busy. For example, we loved the degustation platter from which we got to smell the desired tea sample. Very likely this now isn’t the case anymore but it has rather become a part of the hotel’s rich history. Luckily, afternoon tea is here to stay, along with the chocolate library. For our afternoon tea at the Legend Metropole Hanoi, we loved the taste of fresh sandwiches that were made of soft bread and generous filling. An array of French sweets covered many tastes preference from fruity to chocolate obsessions.

This High Tea Outlet is best for:

Romantic history enthusiasts in love with French desserts

De l’Opera Hanoi 

La Fée Verte Bar is part of a spacious courtyard that gives off some serious chill vibe. Mostly because of the water element in the heart of it which felt like the perfect soundtrack for the afternoon tea time in the middle of bustling Hanoi. It is the perfect place to take a break and enjoy fine bites. We liked all the tea sandwiches and souffle-shaped scones, but most of all we loved the opera cubes. They went down too quickly but fortunately, the rest of the sweet bites were quite delicious as well. This is why Hotel de l’Opera Hanoi afternoon tea is one of the best here.

This High Tea Outlet is best for:

Those looking for tranquil delight.

JW Marriott

JW Marriot High Tea made it on our list. Such a modern building echoes spaciousness in every possible way. The airy lounge area is a perfect spot for a quick meeting or leisurely catching up with classy afternoon tea. The menu changes with the seasons but you can expect some fresh fruit, savories, and desserts every day. We loved a local signature on the savory side and appreciated perfectly ripe tropical fruit even more, but we did miss scones. Sweets sadly left us wishing for more, but we really liked the vanilla pie, macaron, and chocolate praline. On the Marriott drinks menu, we found a list of TWG teas, which were also presented on a degustation trolley.

This High Tea Outlet is best for:

Business oriented foodies

Oven D’or Restaurant at Sheraton Hanoi Hotel 

The last one is Oven D’or High tea. Oven D’or is a casual restaurant with all-day dining buffet settings coming and going every day. We opted for an afternoon tea buffet experience which allowed us to push the limits of our voracious appetites. A large selection of savory and sweet bites kept us coming for more. Needless to say, we were spoiled by choice and we can say that everything tasted really good. We were especially happy to see Vietnamese influence in the savory department, however, desserts were well-executed western favorites.

This High Tea Outlet is best for:

Those with super sweet tooth

Final Thought

Afternoon tea in Hanoi showed us the city in a different light. Through the tasty and beautiful afternoon tea sets, we got to experience evolving food scene of Vietnam’s capital. Not only that, but to enjoy different meticulously prepared treats truly satisfied the epicurean in us. That is why we truly believe you will enjoy the experience of every canteen that made it to our list of the best high tea in Hanoi.

The post The Best High Tea in Hanoi appeared first on Wild 'n' Free Diary.

Ambiance

The spaciousness of an enormous building can be felt everywhere and it gives off a serious vibe. Although the strict lines are softened a bit by reflecting ornaments and brown tones. The lounge itself is an open area with grandeur at its core. Not only is there a high ceiling and wall of windows to keep extensiveness in focus. Also, the lake view increases the feeling of being on top of the world. It truly was wonderful to cuddle with the cozy oversize lounge chair while we enjoyed the view and tea.

JW Marriott Hotel Hanoi Afternoon Tea 

The high tea menu at JW Marriott Hotel Hanoi changes with the seasons and occasionally they jazz up things. We loved a local signature on the savory side and appreciated tropical fresh fruit even more, but we did miss scones. Without scones, we found comfort in 100% fruit juice of the day and Darjeeling tea. 

Our Drinks

From the Marriott drinks menu, we chose the TWG Royal Darjeeling tea with a sweet bouquet of apricots, peaches, and dried fruit. The taste of the tea is lovely musky and sweet with fruity citrusy hints and so much more. Besides tea, we decided to go for the fresh 100% fruit juice. Both pineapple&coconut and papaya&mango were served chilled and we loved every sip of it.

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Hotel Opera High Tea Review

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Our Bites

On the modern square-shaped three-tier sandwich stand we got savories, sweets, and fruit. We started on the bottom part with a neatly cut fresh fruit. On the fruit plate, we enjoyed perfectly ripe pieces of guava, jackfruit, mango, dragonfruit, rambutan, and passionfruit. All of the above was just perfect although strawberry and apple were not.

Savories

The crab sandwich celebrated the star with just the right amount of seasoning and crunchy fresh cucumber for extra moisture and texture. On the other hand, the avocado and shrimp sandwich didn’t deliver much flavor. Besides the radish slice, nothing was standing out, plus the dry bread didn’t help. We certainly preferred the beetroot with feta cheese on the spelt bread. Another slightly disappointing open sandwich got a boring topping made of tomato and Brie cheese slices on top of the dry bread. 

Asian savories not only looked better but also tasted a whole lot better. Most of all we loved the juicy and tasty beef wrap. We loved the sharpness of the garlic seasoning in minced beef filling and the sweetness coming from crunchy carrot sticks. Besides that, it was also wonderful to enjoy the thick rice paper, which had a soft bounce compared to the thin rice paper used in traditional Vietnamese rolls. As expected the Vietnamese roll tasted fresh and well balanced with coriander being the strongest seasoning.

A completely different story happened with seaweed-wrapped beef jerky, which was packed with flavor but quite difficult to chew and impossible to split in two. Lastly, a salmon sandwich topped with seaweed caviar and a thin layer of creamy spread was straightforward tasting. Due to the generous amount of the topping on a thin grilled bread slice, the sandwich ticked all the boxes. 

Sweets

As soon as we took a bite of marzipan-filled macaron it started to melt. It was perfect in every way including the light meringue and heavy filling. The same goes for the chocolate chip cookie, which came with a pleasing crunch and plenty of chocolate. We loved all aspects of vanilla pie from shortbread full of flavor to the smooth vanilla filling. At the first look, we assumed that the dark chocolate cube might be dry, but we couldn’t be more wrong. With such little amount of filling, it was incredibly moist and tasted divine.

It doesn’t matter how many bean desserts we eat, we still can’t say we like them. As it happens the bean cube was too mushy for our taste and it felt like sweetened bean sprouts with sesame seeds being the failed saving attempt. We liked the egg tart much more, especially the base.

To end afternoon tea at the JW Marriott Hotel Hanoi with chocolate praline felt the right thing to do. Both chocolate pralines melted away like crazy and neither had a specific taste of the filling. Even though we didn’t catch the star we enjoyed the balance. Let’s agree that dark chocolate is a heavy opponent to the pistachio cream, but they work very well as a whole. For the second praline, we would never guess that it was filled with mango and we still don’t believe it. The last praline left us in one dimension – sweet, which is fine, but far from the mango-filled white chocolate praline, we dreamed of.

Final Thought

Our afternoon tea at JW Marriott Hotel Hanoi had a few opposing elements. In one way it felt very formal but on the other hand, it was quite loose. For example, the staff wasn’t helpful maybe due to the language barrier or poor interest. The staff could be more meticulous with cleanliness as well. Our high tea stand was quite a mess. Also, we expected more from the food on the afternoon tea Marriott menu. Even though there was a handful of tasty bites on the table we left feeling melancholic and we can’t say this is a must-visit place in Hanoi.

JW Marriott Hotel Hanoi High Tea High Tea Review Card

• 8.7/10
  ATMOSPHERE – 8.7/10
• 7/10
  SERVICE – 7/10
• 9/10
  TEA SELECTION – 9/10
• 9/10
  PRESENTATION – 9/10
• 8/10
  BITES – 8/10
• 9.4/10
  VALUE – 9.4/10

Price and Location

The afternoon tea menu for two at the JW Marriott Hotel Hanoi cost us around 22 USD. As part of this price are a single teapot of desired hot tea and a three-tier sandwich stand. Here is a link to the location for better navigation.

The post JW Marriott Hotel Hanoi High Tea Review appeared first on Wild 'n' Free Diary.

Atmosphere

When we were asking students of Dalat tourist high school what is their dream place to work at, we got always the same answer, Dalat Palace Heritage Hotel. So this must be the high end of hospitality here around and with a reason! To point out, the heritage palace silently speaks for herself in a language of gracious elegance based on French baroque. Palace warmly embraces every guest with polished tops and shiny thrills, dating to the French colonial era. Bright Le Rabelais Restaurant fascinated us with its snow-white walls and golden ornaments. Best of all are large windows that breathe life to the stunning wooden floors and open the view. Yes, the terrace comes first, but eyes can easily travel from the large garden to the Xuan Huong Lake and the mountains. Prepare for some treats!

Tea

Our choice of tea at Dalat Palace was part of their collection, no loose tea just bags. Even though we don’t know what brand they were, we liked the taste of green tea and artichoke tea. Green tea had all the desired characteristics one wants, including the energy boost. One could say that artichoke herbal tea is a must-try in Da Lat because artichokes thrive in this environment. Throughout history, artichokes enjoy the status of herbal remedies for all kinds of health issues. We can say that just sniffing its sweet floral aroma with deep earthiness felt good. Drinking it was even better because of the subtle sweetness and earthiness. Hey, this afternoon tea is going well so far…

Dalat Palace Afternoon Tea

Expectations are high and saliva is ready to take down everything you through at us. And then out of nowhere, a wild high tea set, best described as the texas chainsaw massacre among tea culture. What in the world is going on? First thing first not all was bad, savouries were passable. Fresh bread, a good amount of filling, although presentations were dull, and we would like at least one more piece. 

We hate to be bitchy about failures because who doesn’t have a bad day… but it makes us very disappointed when our sweet tooth is left sour. There were situations when savory was meeh, but then boom sweets straight out of the last row like a phoenix.

Sweets made us angry so let’s keep it civil and say only that most of them were old and chewy. I swear, we were looking around if this was a hidden camera or a test like “let’s test out these wannabe food critics. Who has the best idea of how to mock them? Nguyen: I know, let’s make one of the desserts literally a can cream with Maraschino cherry on top. Nguyen2: That’s f***** brilliant, they are gonna lose it”. And we did!

We were hotel guests and for our stay, we haven’t tried any other food except breakfast here. And that is sad, especially when you stay at a grand place like this. Congratulations to the hotel management… However, more about our Dalat Palace review, next time.

Final Thought

The afternoon tea menu at the Dalat Palace is changing, and we are happy about this fact. I hope they will change it thoroughly, with the staff and philosophy as well. Are we mad? Yes, because it could be perfect. They have everything and more, great location, history, heritage, ambiance, fresh local ingredients, even a local touristic school. Despite all the swank, suitable to any grand palace we felt quite down.

For us, food comes before housing and good food sends us in seven heavens. Well, that wasn’t the case here. It saddens us to admit that if we would go for a humble cup of tea instead of the afternoon tea, we would have a better memory of the Dalat Palace.

The post Dalat Palace High Tea – Bad Example appeared first on Wild 'n' Free Diary.

Ambiance 

A cross between a gallery and a restaurant shines in dim lights. Its dark interior puts many items into focus, though very casually. In fact, this dining room is quite an event on its own. A space filled with many different antiques that arrived at Ho Chi Minh from all around the world.

The best part is that while you dine at the Villa Royale, you get to use the beautiful antique tableware. The afternoon tea experience just can’t get more authentic, I guess.

Drinks

The heart of the drink menu is the TWG tea selection, but one can get something else as well. Tea’s biggest competition is coffee and reasonably, Vietnamese coffee has its home here as well. Those looking for different refreshments will love fresh juices made of seasonal fruits. In addition to that, you’ll also find a selection of soft drinks and water.

Our Tea Selection

Silver Moon

Green tea, dyed water only so slightly, but it delivered a strong taste and aroma. Most noticeable was the vanilla and strawberry scent, which translated into the cup of tea. Once tasted, we appreciated slight bitterness making the somewhat girly drink more refined.

Jasmine Monkey King

Night-blooming jasmine releases a relaxing aroma rounded with floral sweetness. Fragrancy is straightforward also due to the fine young leaves and buds. Both are hand-picked and offer little bitterness but fine complexity. Certainly, this is a special tea and the name pays respect to some historical details. Back in the 18th century a group of monks trained monkeys to pick the most tender tea leaves. As one can imagine the tea wasn’t for the monks, but Emperor Qian Long himself. Now TWG group scented the cherished tea leaves with a flower that was first used to scent tea with.

Afternoon Tea Bites 

We will spare you the details of each afternoon tea bite but will go through some. Scones are the one-piece we shouldn’t leave out in our Villa Royal afternoon tea review. Although sadly we can’t share the good news regarding this classic. Scones at the Villa Royale were heavy and had a pesky mouthfeel. 

Sandwiches, on the other hand, were a step better. Especially the mango curried chicken, but the smoked salmon quiche was the savory highlight. Crispy crust and moisty deliciousness inside are just the right combinations for a good quiche.

Needless to say, some sweets were better than others. We especially liked the chocolate macadamia pie; with melting chocolate and crunchy nuts it was spot on. The second best place goes to Millionaire’s chocolate caramel tart, which took care of all our sugar cravings.

Final Thought

All things considered, we enjoyed our time at the Villa Royale. The attentive staff was very kind and helpful, plus antiques are always a joy to look at. We surely stand behind the idea of combining old traditions with modern demands. If we consider the past our present surely improves. That is especially true when we think of the future and what lies ahead. Speaking of the future, keep in mind that reservations are a must. Especially if you have dietary restrictions or desire for the VIP tearoom or communal table. Although, if you happen to fancy afternoon tea set alone look elsewhere. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t eat something else.

Villa Royale High Tea Review Card

• 9.2/10
  ATMOSPHERE – 9.2/10
• 9.2/10
  SERVICE – 9.2/10
• 9.2/10
  TEA SELECTION – 9.2/10
• 9.1/10
  PRESENTATION – 9.1/10
• 8/10
  BITES – 8/10
• 9.3/10
  VALUE – 9.3/10

Price and Location

From Tuesday to Sunday anyone can enjoy their time at the Villa Royale Saigon from 10 am to 5 pm. Our tea set was about 22 USD and here is a link to the location for easier navigation in the streets of Saigon.

The post Villa Royale High Tea Review – Saigon’s Ancient appeared first on Wild 'n' Free Diary.

Atmosphere

Immediately upon entering we found ourselves in a peaceful bubble where barely a sound was present. You see, silence is respected in this tea house due to the people with disabilities. Guests whisper if they can’t hold their mouth shut and order with tools to overcome any communication barrier. If we think about our fragile bodies we immediately pay more respect to the sound and on the other hand, silence.

Given that the first part of the Reaching Out Teahouse was a store, we couldn’t pass the display of very attractive handmade items for tea, coffee, and more. Once we accepted, we can’t carry all the pretty items around the world we moved to the small garden at the back, where tranquility feeling only increase.

At the back one will find a small garden with natural shade and a well-manicured fish pond. A perfect zen corner for your favorite cuppa. Speaking of which, you can choose between coffee and tea.

In summary, this place is rustic, pleasant, and homely at the same time. After all, the whole Hoi An should be like this and you can see immediately what is a barrier to achieve this. Loud crowds.

Vietnamese Tea Tasting Set

The first thing I saw, when the tea set came to the table was a strainer shaped like a lotus flower. A silver brother of the one I was eye-balling before, in their store. Of course, we couldn’t let go of the opportunity to see how they are made and the staff was kind enough to take us to the workshop. Not to say nothing of handmade teapots, cups, and saucers on the tray, would be a crime. Oh, the perfect little things!

Like tableware, also the tea offer is of small produce. Vietnamese Organic Green tea we had is not just organic, it is also processed by hand. The end product is somewhat astringent but highly potent. That was especially notable after a long steeping time, but nothing that a cookie can’t fix. For the occasion, we tried all of their house-made cookies, although we paired this green tea just with the sweet potato chips.

A must try in our opinion is Jasmine Green Tea, which is also a favorite in northern Vietnam. Whenever we try Jasmine tea, we are always blown away by its divine aroma. Indeed, the Country Jasmine Green Tea was no exception in an intense floral bouquet. In this case, we decided to pair the drink with a coconut green tea treat. To be more specific, shreds of coconut are infused in sweetened green tea. 

Our last teapot was filled with caffeine-free traditional tea known as the Organic Red Lantern Herbal Tea. It had a woody aroma and soothing mouthfeel with a mildly spicy aftertaste. Next to it, we enjoyed brittle cookies packed with coconut flavor.

Vietnamese Coffee 

Coffee holds a special place on Vietnamese tables ever since French colonials introduced it, and that Vietnamese twist can be called a miracle. First, let’s clear that for the real Vietnamese coffee you need unevenly ripened Robusta coffee, grown in Vietnam. To avoid any taste compromises coffee gets a dark roast to make it more flavorful. More often than not people add some flavor-boosting spices while roasting coffee beans. Butter and salt are almost a must. Then there is also cocoa for that desired chocolate flavor, nuts, vanilla, and so on. Some got as far as producing toxic battery coffee, one you’d want to avoid at all costs.

Vietnamese Coffee Tasting Set

The final step in Vietnamese coffee is the drip method, using so-called “phin”. By the way, “phin” is a coffee drip filter, placed on top of the mug. Flavor boosting properties at Reaching Out coffee selection come also from the fair-trade produce. We started our coffee degustation with the Good Day Coffee that made our day even better than it was. We call for victory whenever we find a light floral aroma and toffee in a cup. This and every other coffee on the Reaching Out menu is grown in Da Lat, Vietnam. Even though, arabica beans replaced the usual Robusta berries we didn’t mind the gentler flavor. 

Our next coffee had a stronger bitter-sweet taste that came with a well-balanced after-taste. This coffee is known as the Yin-Yang Hoi An Ancient Blend and is made from Burbon Arabica and Moka beans. The last cup of coffee belonged to the humbly named Local Coffee. This medium roasted organic blend of Arabica and Ea H’leo Robusta had the longest aftertaste of all. We also loved the sweet aroma and nutty touch. Our last coffee to try on was Yin-Yang Hoi An Ancient Blend. This iconic blend pairs a sundried Dalat Bourbon Arabica with Moka beans. Intense bitter-sweet taste, balanced with strong body and aftertaste.

Are You F****** Deaf?

Like everywhere on this planet also here in Vietnam, you can easily find douchebag tourists. When we were at Reaching Out, a tourist rushed in and started to ask staff for some directions. Apparently, he was unaware that the Reaching Out Teahouse was a bit different. Instead of asking himself what is going on, he was becoming angry. We took it over and once we explained the situation, and he realized that in front of him is hearing and speech impaired staff, he simply turned around and left. Without “sorry” or any doubt of shame. Isn’t it amazing when a moron and deaf person meet in a wild?

Conclusion

As you can see this wasn’t ordinary afternoon tea like we are used to, and so we didn’t do a review like we usually do. Instead of that we wrote our experience and would like to share this must stop place with you. Totaly recommended by Wild’n’Free Diary! When was the last time you appreciated the silence? Maybe you should, a few times weekly and appreciate more you can hear and speak perfectly.

Unfortunately, pandemic times are causing havoc on many levels and this unique teahouse is no exception. Fortunately, not all is lost! Visit their online store and consider supporting them. We will order a teapot for sure!

The post Reaching Out Teahouse Hoi An appeared first on Wild 'n' Free Diary.

The Atmosphere of Explorer’s Tales Bar

Is it possible that the Sofitel Siem Reap Bar started with the Indiana Jones? The color scheme of the Explorer’s Tales Bar is undeniably close to it, with a chocolate brown base and creamy top. Even if you aren’t an Indiana Jones fan, you’ll love the comfortable leather chairs and the luscious green view. On the other hand, since you love traveling, we are sure you’ll love the combination of the explorer’s energy and colonial comforts. 

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Explorer’s Tales Bar Menu

Tea by the Harney & Sons brand is part of the afternoon tea. You can choose among a few flavors and smell each at the bar. We went for Ti Quan Yin Oolong tea from Southern Fujian Province, the tea culture’s cradle. It was a wonderful companion to the afternoon tea bites with a buttery almond scent and honey-like finish.

Besides tea, we decided to have a cup of Cambodian Mondulkiri coffee, which was absolutely delightful. The Sofitel Angkor’s coffee selection is well worth stopping by even if you skip the afternoon tea set.

That doesn’t mean that you can’t try something else, like a cocktail or a glass of wine as a starter and a cigar puff for the finish. On the other hand, wine selection at the Sofitel Siem Reap is extensive, always-on display in the wine room.

Asian Afternoon Tea Menu

At Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra high tea, one can chose between Cambodian style high tea or more traditional, western style. However, we tried out both versions, just to be sure.

Hot Bites

Aromatic dip refreshed every bite of the curry seasoned vegetable samosa. We loved the combination of sweet Thai basil and lime, together with moist samosa filling made of potato and hydrated peanuts.

Crispy fried spring-roll tasted especially good with sweet and sour dressing. Another delicious gravy came on the side of the poached prawns. Here again, we found Thai sweet basil and soy sauce, which was the perfect match. This bite would be perfect if the prawns wouldn’t be over-cooked.

The last hot bite of our Asian afternoon tea at Sofitel Siem Reap was the beef dumpling, seasoned with kaffir lime leaf and pepper. Good skewer, filled with all the flavor and spiced just right to heat up.

Cold Bites

Gorgeous-looking chicken and banana blossom salad tasted fresh with intense sweet and sour notes. Crunchy shallots, carrots, and banana blossom stood firm on the side of the tender chicken meat. 

Vegetable spring roll filled with fresh sprouts, lettuce, and julienned carrot tasted plain but fresh. Luckily we had some leftover gravy from the previous bites and used the opportunity to upgrade this roll.

Sweet Bites

Coconut jelly was the gentlest tasting sweet and lovely transition to the sweet finish. Right after it, we had a taste of the pumpkin custard, which is of the acquired taste. There was nothing wrong with it; we just like sweet desserts. Taste-wise, you get what you see, pumpkin filled with thick, slightly sweet custard. When it comes to the traditional Cambodian waffles (Num Poum), we liked the coconut flavour and light texture. Even though plain waffles were very appetizing, we were happy for the caramelized pineapple topping. 

We did like the stuffed jackfruit, and it was quite a mouthful with the red sticky rice in the middle. Here we must admit that it was better than we expected and something we could snack on for the whole day. Red rice affected the jackfruit in a more earthy manner, making it almost addictive. We can’t get enough fresh fruit, and a skewer of fresh mango, grape and melon was a solid finish. 

Western Afternoon Tea Set

The three-tier sandwich stand’s empty top tray makes a poor first impression. Be as it may, we weren’t up for a quick judgment and focused on the tasting. 

Savory Bites

The undisputable star of the chicken and pesto sandwich was the lean meat. Sadly, the green pesto was there just for the color, and even that is an understatement. Needless to say, that with it, the moisture went down the drain. 

A lovely twist on the bread proved to be the profiterole pastry, filled with egg and salmon. Here again, we missed some gravy to aid some moisture and enrich the flavor.

The cucumber and cream cheese sandwich was a little moister and the cold trio’s tastiest. Slightly sweetened cream went well with the scones, but it didn’t win us over.

Scones & Jam

Plain scone had a nice crust but somehow tasted of chlorine and was difficult to swallow due to the pulpy texture. Once we topped it with the strawberry jam and forest fruit jelly, it tasted decent. However, don’t expect the artisanal toppings, but the average store-bought jam. 

Western Sweets

The best part of the Western afternoon tea menu at the Sofitel Angkor was the sweets. We liked the combination of fresh strawberries with the brittle financier. Delicious and straightforward was also the spongy madeleine, especially after we dipped it in the whipped cream. Our favorite has to be the vanilla tart with fresh mango on top where every element was top-notch: well ripe mango, crusty shortcake, and luscious cream.

Coconut mousse turned out to be a hazard; with spoiled strawberry sauce, we said no to the mousse. After all, it can be made with raw eggs and we want to avoid any tummy issues. Our last bite was the flan, a decent bite with a pleasant vanilla scent.

Final Thought

To be honest, Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra high tea is not that great as we were expecting. As a downside, most of the sweet bites can be found at the hotel breakfast. Western savory didn’t make any impressions and the finish with moldy cream didn’t help either. However, the Cambodian high tea set was a bit better but still far behind Park Hyatt Siem Reap Afternoon Tea and Raffles Siem Reap Afternoon Tea.

If you are wondering how does this charming hotel looks like, check our Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort Review. I bet you will be delighted as we were.

Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra High Tea Review Card

• 9.4/10
  ATMOSPHERE – 9.4/10
• 9.4/10
  SERVICE – 9.4/10
• 9/10
  TEA SELECTION – 9/10
• 7.5/10
  PRESENTATION – 7.5/10
• 7/10
  BITES – 7/10
• 9/10
  VALUE – 9/10

Price and Location

Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra high tea set for one person will cost you about 15 USD and is served between 2 pm and 5 pm. Here is a link to the location in case you would like to give it a go.

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How We Rate High Teas?

Probably you are asking how can you trust us with the rating? Let’s just say we are 100% foodies with a rare condition called – honesty. If something doesn’t meet our expectations we share our thoughts, because there is no time for bull****. Our high tea reviews have six criteria, scaling from 0 to 10. These are atmosphere, service, tea selection, presentation, bites, and value. I’m not gonna lie, choosing the best high tea in Bangkok is not an easy task. Competition is tough and sweets are outstanding. However, here are our finest.

Cafe Botanica Bangkok High Tea

Have you ever had floral afternoon tea? You should totally get one! In Kuala Lumpur, we had it at Majestic high tea full of orchids, while here in Bangkok you can find one at the Cafe Botanica – Museum of Floral Culture. Yes, you read that right, here in Bangkok it is a museum dedicated to floral culture and everybody should see it. At the end of the tour, you can sit in their lovely garden and enjoy Bangkok’s floral high tea. The homemade desserts here are absolutely delicious, and if I add birds chirping to that…

This High Tea Outlet is best for:

Nature lovers

The Tea House Bangkok High Tea

Are you nostalgic? Do you have a thing for petite vintage cups? If yes, The Tea House Bangkok is a place for you. But wait, that’s not the only thing you will get here. You will get amiable service, great bites, and some of the finest tea as well. We simply loved this place! Back in time, there were two outlets in Bangkok, but later they closed the one on Thonglor Street. However, we warmly recommend you to visit the one at ChangChui and enjoy this back in time afternoon tea.

This High Tea Outlet is best for:

Nostalgic and classy people

Okura Prestige Bangkok High Tea

Well, Konnichiwa to all Japanese groupies. It wouldn’t be the first time Japanese style afternoon tea set swept us off our feet. The last one was our Nobu afternoon tea back in Kuala Lumpur. It was superb, that’s all we can say. This time we present to you sakura themed high tea at Okura Prestige Hotel. Here we must add that the themed tea set changes with seasons, while Okura is a delightful standard. Really, Okura afternoon tea is all about details and perfection. You can’t miss the effort put in the presentation and the mouth-watering snacks are just top-notch. It’s no secret that the Japanese are perfectionists and we absolutely respect that. If you add to this impeccable service, you will get a perfect afternoon tea.

This High Tea Outlet is best for:

All penchant to Japanese Taste

Erawan High Tea

Speaking of themed afternoon teas let’s get to the one locally, Thai-inspired tea set. Erawan Hotel is one of the oldest hotels here in Bangkok and their Thai lunch at the Erawan Tea Room did a huge impression on us. Reasonably we had to try also their Erawan High Tea and guess what – This is the best Thai-inspired high tea in the town.

This High Tea Outlet is best for:

All Thai food lovers

St. Regis Bangkok Afternoon Tea

Erawan tea room is not the only place where one can enjoy a Thai version of an afternoon tea set. A great one can be found at St. Regis Bangkok as well. St. Regis Bangkok Afternoon Tea will come on a dark wooden platter, a nice contrast to the colorful and tasty treats. Some of the sweets were once made only for royal members, but now anyone can try these and enjoy hmmm golf course view. However, if you aren’t fond of Thai flavor you can also opt for a classic afternoon tea set or even some special ones from time to time.

This High Tea Outlet is best for:

Bussines people and foodies

Authors’ Lounge Afternoon Tea

Authors’ Lounge is situated inside the iconic Mandarin Oriental Hotel and is literally one of the most photographed sites in Bangkok. If you will check our Authors’ Lounge Afternoon Tea Review you will see why is that so. And not only that, they serve classic and Thai-inspired afternoon tea sets which will blow your mind. So, we have an outstanding ambiance, great food, impeccable service, live music… and I think that makes it the best high tea in Bangkok

This High Tea Outlet is best for:

Every human being once in a life time

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Raffles Siem Reap Conservatory Ambiance

Before sitting down, we went around the nostalgic Conservatory at Siem Reap Raffles hotel. We simply had to look at the English colonial design with Cambodian art pieces in its center from up close. While walking around the bright room, we appreciated the antique teakwood furniture and display of silver ornaments. Another welcoming sight was the respectfully obstructed view over the green pool area.

Privacy is essential in every hotel, let alone in one with a long list of famous guests. In places like this, we always imagine sitting at the same spot as some famous/royal butt did. 

Raffles Siem Reap Tea Menu 

We went through the selection of The 1872 Clipper Tea for our Raffles Siem Reap afternoon tea. This family-run tea brand from Singapore is known to be the countries’ oldest tea producer. Their story begins in 1872 when Sri Lankan immigrant, Balage Porolis De Silva, moved to Singapore. His entrepreneurial spirit broke loose in his shop, filled with jewelry and various wooden art pieces.

We bet you are asking yourself where the tea fits in, and that is just it; in the store. Da Silva served his own Clipper tea to the wealthy Chinese and European customers while they were focusing on the appealing items. Looks like customers liked tea more than the offer.

Jasmine Pearls

Hand-rolled jasmine scented green tea leaves slowly open when they come in touch with hot water. Despite its charming looks, the taste matters the most and delivers a satisfactory turn on a floral classic. It won us over, with a slightly more grounding effect of the well-known Jasmine touch. Naturally, the subtle sweetness of the tea grown in the Fujian coastal mountains adds to the unique taste.

Taste of Singapore

Thoughtfully tailored tea that suits the Singaporean cultural blend very well, including its harmonious ways. We loved the balance of this black tea blend sweetened with ripe mango and pineapple refreshed with soursop. On account of ginger and black pepper, it reminded us of spicy masala tea, to some degree. Another aspect we loved was its changing taste that evolved with the steeping time. Once it released the bitter notes, we added some milk to it and got jet another spin on flavors.

Siem Reap Raffles Afternoon Tea Options

At the Grand Hotel d’Angkor, one can choose between three options: Raffles Signature High Tea, Raffles Local Khmer Afternoon Tea and Wellness afternoon tea. However, we took the opportunity and tasted Raffles Signature High Tea and Raffles Local Khmer Afternoon Tea. You’ll find a short description of the bites in the lines below to give you an idea of what to expect.

Scones

Part of the signature tea are scones and pandan madeleine, which come with homemade jam and clotted cream. For the first time, we had the opportunity to try the caramelized pumpkin scones. Most impressive was the yellow color and crust, while the taste remained on the expected side; firm with a subtle flavor. Besides the color, a more firm texture differentiated it from the traditional scones. Both samples were easily halved before revealing moist dough that was waiting to be topped with incredibly delicious papaya jam seasoned with cinnamon. We couldn’t get enough of it and turned to delightful strawberry jam and silky cream once papaya jam was gone. 

Savories 

Khmer High Tea Savories

We started Raffles Khmer tea set with the less famous twin of Vietnamese Banh Mi, the Cambodian street sandwich known as Num Pang. This miniature version had fresh bread and an explosion of flavors. Sweet and sour notes came from the crunchy pickles and sweet chili sauce. We also got a portion of pork pate, and a tasty cold cut beside a mayo spread in the middle.

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Raffles Elephant Bar Review

Another bite with a famous twin in Vietnam was a fresh spring roll. More specifically, fresh vegetable spring roll with sprouts and peanuts beside the thin rice noodles. The vibrant roll was delicious on its own, but best when dipped in the house-made sauce. Needless to say, the sauce had an intense sweet and sour taste, enriched with the golden fish sauce and crushed peanuts.

Another tasty take on coconut presented the rice pancake with coconut. We liked the pleasantly chewy texture of the pancake and thick coconut milk dip.

Raffles Signature High Tea Savories 

Cucumber sandwich with creamy cheese excited us with intense red bread. The color came from the beetroot juice that also provided sweet earthy undertones. They were felt only at the back and were an excellent addition to the crunchy fresh cucumber slice surrounded by the mouthwatering silky cream cheese.

Crispbread tasted almost like grissini and wonderfully accompanied the smoked salmon with fresh tomato and horseradish. Lovely bite!

The last but not least, a very soft brioche tasted slightly sweet with unmissable vanilla seasoning. Both texture and taste-wise, it went perfectly with abundant egg filling.

Sweet Bites

Raffles Local Khmer Tea Sweets

Five samples of local sweets revealed some similarities to the traditional desserts we had at Mandarin Oriental Bangkok’s Authors Lounge. Especially the yellow bean cake trapped inside the jelly that tasted like mild marzipan. The Thai Luk Chup’s biggest and pleasant difference was added banana that somewhat masked the mushy beans.

Coconut lovers will get a fair taste of it in a few different bites and maybe even some inspiration. The simplest has to be the taro and sago coconut pudding. Sago pearls are a bouncy, fun addition, while starchy taro soaks up the sweetened coconut milk up like a sponge.

Another bouncy bite proved to be the firm coconut dumpling sweetened with palm sugar. It was quite the opposite of the soft glutinous roasted rice cake. We liked the soft texture and caramelized taste, especially when we combined it with concentrated coconut milk. The last bite might be simple, but only if you have the young banana that keeps the firm texture even after the slow-cooking process. This piece was surprisingly firm, with taste expanding from sour to sweet.

Raffles Signature High Tea Sweets

Fresh mango slices shaped as rose flower fitted in the tart cup like a lip-smacking crown. Perfectly ripe mango had all characteristics we wished for, and it got the deserving support from the brittle tart.

Another fruity peak was present on top of the lusciously creamy white chocolate panna cotta. We’re talking about the portion of fresh passion fruit that refreshed every mouthful.

Who thought that the dessert with “nun” in its name would spark a desire for more. Precisely that happened once we tried the Raffles Signature Berry Religieuse. Both choux pastry buns were filled with cream and covered in purple berry glaze. Actually, the name originated in the mid-19th century and has a shape inspired by an obese nun. 

A tasty combination of brown dulce de leche in a succulent cheesecake was a great base for the toothsome pecan nuts. It was intense, but not as much as was the celestial opera cake with strong coffee pour over the sponge and buttery cream in between.

Extras

Abundant Siem Reap Raffles afternoon tea comes with a few extras that we have to mention. Let’s start with the most luxurious and optional; the glass of Mumm Cordon Rouge Champagne. Needless to say that afternoon tea with such tasty bites is a good enough reason to toast to all good things in life. We toasted to the occasion also with a glass of fresh mango and pineapple juice.

In the Raffles Afternoon Tea Menu, it was listed as the juice of the day and was part of our Raffles Local Khmer High Tea. By the time we reached the platter of seasonal fresh fruit, we were quite full. Still, fresh fruit is always a welcoming sight, especially when it is so graciously displayed.

Final Thought

Did Raffles Siem Reap Afternoon Tea meet our expectations? Yes, and even more than that. Having a high tea in a heritage hotel like this one is unforgettable. All the food was delicious and fresh and the service was typical for Raffles – splendid. We highly recommend trying their afternoon tea options next time you will be in Siem Reap.

However, we will stop here again for sure. Probably you know about our Raffles curse. All the Raffles hotels on our trip were in the transition of renovation, so we hard-hearted skipped them. Next time we will gladly make a hotel review and get deep details. Maybe our next SE Asia tour should be called “The Raffles Tour” But, we won’t leave you with that. Here is our Raffles Elephant Bar Siem Reap Review.

Raffles Siem Reap Afternoon Tea Review Card

• 9.7/10
  ATMOSPHERE – 9.7/10
• 9.6/10
  SERVICE – 9.6/10
• 9.0/10
  TEA SELECTION – 9.0/10
• 9.8/10
  PRESENTATION – 9.8/10
• 9.4/10
  BITES – 9.4/10
• 9.4/10
  VALUE – 9.4/10

Price and Location

Raffles Local Khmer Tea set will cost you 23 USD when for Raffles Signature High Tea set, you will spend 2 dollars more. Here is a link to the location for easier navigation.

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The Lord’s Cafe

Locals recommended us to try the best scones in Cameron Highlands that are served at the Lord’s Cafe. Well, first thing first, they are referencing to the Chrisitan “lord” and second, their scones aren’t really the best in Cameron Highlands.

However, If you are looking to get your money’s worth, then look for the sign of Lord’s Café in Tanah Rata. It is a bit hidden, but you’ll find it on the first floor in the building, next to the Terminal Freesia. Once there, you’ll praise the Lord for cheap goodies that indeed are worth every penny. With that being said, don’t expect the “to die for” refreshments and “five-star” service.

Cameron Highlands Resort 

Afternoon tea time at the Jim Thompson Tea Room is unique for its airy colonial interior and authentic bites. We liked a delicious tribute to the surrounding area in the form of fresh strawberries and BOH tea.

Actually, the standard companion of the Cameron Highlands Resort high tea set is a Gold Blend BOH tea or coffee. It was a great fit to the airy and moist scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam. Cameron Highlands Resort afternoon tea menu is light with the best scones in Cameron Highlands, classic sandwiches, and more or less traditional desserts.

Cameron Highlands Smokehouse 

The romantic garden with numerous blossoming flowers is incredible and perfect for the alfresco afternoon tea. If that is not possible, the Smokehouse has a large dining room just for the occasion. The Smokehouse high tea menu is relatively modest, but it will keep you in the perfect illusion.

Both medieval English exterior and indoor monuments full of all sorts of antiques will set you in a different zone. Old-school bites also raised to the occasion, with all present homemade feel from strawberry jam to the bouncy fruitcake.

BOH Tea Plantation 

The BOH Café at the Sungei Palas Tea Garden is extremely popular with tourists. After all, a cup of BOH tea is a must once the tour of the biggest BOH tea plantation is over. There is more to the tea tour than just bushes, and so is to their café.

The most astonishing is the view over the lush tea forest. Then there are numerous desserts, perfect for a personalized afternoon tea set. We recommend adding a fluffy carrot cake and moist egg tart on your menu. As you can expect, their tea offer is abundant and very thirst-quenching before a trip to the gift shop. How about scones? To be honest, they were packed in plastic which took our appetite away, so we simply skipped them.

Best Scones in Cameron Highlands

If you are looking for the best scones in Cameron Highlands, you should stop at The Smoke House. Their scones can be described as perfectly school ones. Great taste, nice texture, and lovely aroma without any inferences. However, if you are looking more for experience and the best high tea in Cameron Highlands, then the right address for you is Cameron Highlands Resort. Their afternoon tea is lush, tasty and adorable with a help of the ambiance.

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