CLASSICAL AFTERNOON TEA AT THE SHANGRI-LA KL

Arch Quartet — a string quartet will perform a stirring repertoire of classical favourites to feed the soul from 3pm to 6pm every Sunday, while you savour a fine cream tea in the plush Lobby Lounge of the Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur.

From now until 28 February, the Afternoon Tea theme remains Chinese New Year-centric. Served on a circular-shaped, Oriental-inspired and multi-tier display stand, the dainty selection of savoury and sweet morsels including a miniature KL Tower in chocolate is a sight to behold. Come March, expect a floral theme to burst forth.

 

In their bid to evoke the current festive mood, the culinary team proffers delicious Peking Duck in Crispy Wonton Skin, Grilled Chicken Jerky in Mantou, Pickled Onion and Chicken Floss, and Seared Chicken & Chives Dumpling. While the wonton and mantou hit the spot, the dumpling tends to be a little soggy after sitting in its vinegar dip.

Deliciously crisp Sesame Prawn Toast helps to dial up the nostalgic feel alongside evergreen CNY trad treats of Ninko & Sweet Potato Spring Roll and Steamed Ninko with Grated Coconut. These go marvellously well with our freshly brewed tea.

Since mandarin oranges, tangerines and pineapples are ubiquitous in local CNY celebration, we find the chefs have drawn plenty of inspiration from those fruits for the dessert creations. Besides Plain Scones, the light, buttery Red Dates & Five Spice Scones when smeared with Pineapple Jam & Clotted Cream and Chinese Style Lightly Sweetened Butter Cream got full ‘ayes’ from all present.

A subtle hint of citrus is discernible when I sample the lush filling of the mini Ivorie Mandarin Orange Cream Hornet. The Clementine Butter Cookie is equally on-point. Prefer a dessert treat with playful flavour contrasts? We recommend the delicate Tea, Lychee & Raspberry Tart — a tempting tartlet blending the bitter astringency of tea, the sweetness of lychee and the refreshing tartness of raspberry.

Slightly high on the decadence scale would be Pistachio & Rosella Opera Slice, Prosperous Macaron with Dark Soya & Bitter Chocolate Ganache and Red Velvet Whoopie Pie & Orange Tangerine Cream Frosting. Take comfort the irresistible offerings come in small, titillating portions.

Your walk down memory lane should be accompanied by nice retro-style nibbles like Classic Kampar Cookies, Pineapple Shortcake and Golden Good Luck Coin Chocolate.

The Afternoon Tea at the Lobby Lounge is priced at RM190 nett for 2 persons and at RM320 nett for 2 persons inclusive of 2 glasses of Prosecco.  

For reservations, call Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur, tel: 03-2074 3900 or visit https://www.shangri-la-specials.com/web/home.aspx

NEW 'TEA-RIFIC' TREATS FROM NEWENS TEA HOUSE

Fancy afternoon tea with Anne Boleyn-inspired treats in April? Perhaps you prefer to revel in a Joyous May Afternoon Tea? How about frolicking over Summer Holiday Afternoon Tea in June?

Newens Tea House will lay out these interesting afternoon tea themes so when you’re in the mood for some tête-à-tête, nip into Feast Village Starhill Gallery for a spot of tea. Inspired by the famous second wife of King Henry VIII and Queen of England in the 1530s, Newens will proffer free-flow of aromatic black STS Tea to complement the selection of typically English savouries and sweets.

 

Besides the signature Maids of Honour Tarts, the set features tempting Mini Kew Pasty, Mini Chicken Pie, Mini Salmon and Onion Quiche. They pass muster although unlikely to create much of a ripple.

Ditto for the Scones served with Clotted Cream and Preserves. It was irksome when our request for more cream was dismissed outright, leaving our group to share the scant dollop. Nobody can begrudge the chefs due praise for their creative handiwork of a small Anne Boleyn portrait perched on the Shortbread Cookie. A solitary Earl Grey Macaron, a shot glass of English Trifle, Mini Apple Pie and English Fruit Cake complete the sweet array.

Heralding the merry month of May is Joyous May Afternoon Tea with a free-flow of aloe vera and tropical fruits infusion — enticingly called Life and Beauty Tea. Picnic-worthy Open-Faced Salmon Rose, and Egg & Caviar Sandwiches partner ubiquitous Scones with Clotted Cream and Preserves in addition to Strawberry-flavoured Maids of Honour Tarts.

Sweet flirtations beckon with Apple and Hazelnut Cake interspersed with dainty portions of Vanilla Cupcakes and Rainbow Cake.

To welcome the summer season in June, the Summer Holiday Afternoon Tea with free flow of Iced Fruits of Paradise Tea flavoured with mango, pineapple and papaya will make its appearance. Nibbles consist of Assorted Homemade Sandwiches, Chocolate-dipped Fresh Strawberries, Mixed Berries Crepes, Panna Cotta, Cream Horn, Madeline and Rainbow Cake.

The thematic tea experiences are available throughout each respective month from 2.30pm to 5.30pm daily at RM150 nett per set for two persons.

 

For reservations at Newens Tea House, please call tel: 03 2719 8550 or email: newens@ytlhotels.com.my or visit feastvillage.com