Shangri-la New March Seasonal "The Best of London" Afternoon Tea

Price:  $$

Cravingness: ★★★★☆

Afternoon tea fans will be delighted to know that Island Shangri-la has launched a monthly seasonal afternoon tea on top of their classic afternoon tea set for a while. In March, the new seasonal afternoon tea is called "The Best of London". Apart from this very British seasonal afternoon tea, there is also a event at the hotel lobby showcasting a classy England Telephone Photo Booth where fan who took the most creative pictures can win a pair of tickets to the Shangri-la in UK! More details can be checked on their website, so now we will move the focus back to the afternoon tea!

Before savouring the "Best of London" afternoon tea, I was also invited over to learn to make scones from the Executive Pastry Chef Nicholas Patterson, at the Kitchen of Petrus. It was a really fun experience, learning tips from the pastry Chef Nicholas himself. The recipe is derived from Chef Nicholas's grandmother, so it is a bit different from the traditional one you have in Island Shangri-la, yet tasting better! I know you guys are dying for the scones recipe, so here it is!

The afternoon tea set carried the essential of traditional items but played around with the flavours. The tea set was relatively smaller in comparison to their classic afternoon tea set.

The three layered afternoon tea set contains a layer of savoury sandwiches and two layers of sweet items.

The scones is definitely the highlight of the tea set as these scones are not the typical Shangri-la scones. As mentioned, these are scones made from the recipe of Chef Nicholas's grandma. I personally reckon this scones tasted better than the original version offered at Island Shangri-la. These were more moist and dense than the classy one, yet not as buttery. The Earl Grey Scones infused with orange blossom was very aromatic, but the Earl Grey flavour was rather weak in my opinion. The pairing Island Shangri-la's strawberry jam and Cornish Clotted cream were both heavenly for the scones!

Finger sandwiches, we had cucumber, chicken, smoked salmon and crab roll. The Cornish Crab, Smoked Paprika, Chives in a Brioche Roll was the best sandwich among the four. The sweet and creamy Cornish was heavenly, and was nicely paired with a soft brioche roll. Yum!!!

For those who know me, I am allergic to smoked salmon, So I only had a small bite on the London Smoked Salmon with Yuzu crème fraìche on whole meal bread.

The Organic Egg Mayonnaise, Black Truffle, Mustard Cress on Sourdough was a tad disappointing as the sourdough was rough and hard enough to cut your mouth. Flavour wise it was good, especially with the black truffle pairing.

Moving on to the sweet items, my eyes were first set on the beautiful White Chocolate Coconut Mousse. The coconut mousse was extremely lovely, carried a bold coconut flavour in smooth mousse texture. The infusion of mango cubes at the centre was a marvellous pair to the coconut mousse. Also love the crunchy sesame seed croustilliant at the bottom.

Feeling already contended after the Coconut Mousse, here I tried the even better Hazelnut Dacquoise, praline crunch, blond chocolate cream. The combining texture and flavour of this is wordless, it was effin good! Crispy praline crunch, smooth hazelnut cream and flavourful blond chocolate cream!

The Baked and Cold Mousse Cheesecake, Yuzu Juice soaked Sponge, Yuzu Orange Marmalade was a very summery kind of cheesecake that was zesty with bold yuzu flavour.

The Cinnamon infused Cream, Pear Compote, Vanilla macaroon in pod was cinnamony but yet a bit overly sweet and creamy for my liking. The Vanilla macaroon was made perfect as usual with a crunchy shell and chewy inner. The vanilla buttercream was made smooth and in suitable sweetness.

I also got a white chocolate puzzle with a edible print of the Best of London. It was said to be made especially for us. So awed, thank you Island Shangria-la! Just so you know (if you don't), Island Gourmet makes REALLY delicious white chocolate goodies!

The "Best of London" Afternoon Tea is available everyday during March at Lobby Lounge and Island Gourmet . The tea set is priced at HKD318 for one and HKD538 for two. Book your tables guys! =)

Rating
Food - ★★★★☆
Service - ★★★★★
Ambience - ★★★★★
Overall - ★★★★☆

Island Shangri-la

Address (E) Pacific Place, Supreme Court Road, Central, Hong Kong
☏ 2877 3838
Reservation Available? Yes
Walk In Possible? Yes
Bill Per Person (Dinner inc. Beverages) - $$
Website: http://www.shangri-la.com/hongkong/islandshangrila

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