Most people’s fun life goals are all about travel, extraordinary feats (like bungee jumping or sky-diving) and wistful dreams. I use the term fun to exclude said goals such as buying your first home or getting a big promotion before you’re 30, because the former means you can’t be as disposable with your income anymore (no more Chanel bags) and the latter means you have to stay in the office past six pm, wearing heels to work and suck up to a boss who mightn’t be worth sucking up to. And there’s no fun in either of those things.
What is fun is the tradition of Afternoon Tea. I know this because it’s been around for over a century, and if Queen Victoria liked it, and has two tea rooms named after her, then it must be something worth indulging in. Plus, scones and fine china are an integral part of such events, and I’ve always vowed to chase the best in pastry, even if it is to the dismay of my arteries.
At the start of 2011, and the inception of this column, I had every intention of making the most of the year, and making the most of the year entailed finally becoming a ballerina-in-training (even if said training was only one session, where afterwards, true to my lazy self, I’d decide it simply “wasn’t for me”), doing more experience-based things, and going to High Tea at the Ritz en-route to my dream trip to Prague.
Unfortunately, 2011 has also been the first year of living out of home, which also means being neck-deep in mortgages, bills and cheap dinners. Roughly, this translates to no tickets overseas, but seeing as this great magazine promises the best of everything in our Aussie backyard, I trawled Sydney-town for one of the best Afternoon Tea experiences on Australian soil: a journey that had me queuing up at the steps of the Cortile dining lounge in the five-star Intercontinental Hotel in Sydney.
It was a rainy Saturday morning, and I’d made an effort to look like the kind of 21st Century lady that Queen Victoria would approve of at a tea sitting, in a knee length black lace dress, patent t-bar heels (not too high, of course) and a classic black quilted tote. I’d purposely forgotten the pearls at home, knowing that they’d be a little much for such an occasion.
All sense of decorum, however, was promptly forgotten once I was confronted with the offerings before me. Much as we all love a traditional afternoon tea sitting, I must admit that the Intercontinental has amazingly pulled off their own twist on it, offering it instead as a buffet that incorporates not only the traditional scones, dainty salmon and cream cheese sandwiches and tea, but also a dazzling array of other delights, including mini-pies and quiches, ham and cheese sandwiches, waffles, crepes, macarons, cupcakes, strudel logs, and even mini lemon meringue pies.
Quite amusing was the fact that I’d spent the morning discussing a classy afternoon tea outing that had always been on my to-do list, and yet here I was filling plate after plate after plate. All this in the ambience of a luxurious hotel overlooking Sydney Harbour, and in front of my Chanel Bag no less. Mademoiselle would have been so disappointed in me, not to mention Queen V (owing to her hatred of over-indulgence).
But fear of the disappointment was carelessly tossed – I had finally ticked another thing off my to-do list, and it felt marvellous (and tasted amazing).
My experience goes to show that one could fly half way across the world to treat themselves to something, only to find there’s something just as fabulous, if not better, and offered with a twist in their own backyard. And, who knows, the change left over from the cost of that overseas ticket you would have spent your money on could go to a Chanel 2.55…extra mortgage repayments are so overrated.
The Details:
High Tea is served at the Cortile in the Inter-Continental Hotel (Corner of Bridge & Phillip Sts, Sydney) on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. Bookings are essential. Cost is $50, but we recommend you pay $65 and indulge in some delicious champagne. Alternatively, learn about the art that is tea and tea brewing from the Tea Master Marcus Wong (Saturdays only). Call 02 9253 500 for more information.
