Afternoon Tea at The Peninsula

To celebrate the fiscal year that was and to spend the money I earnestly earned but haven’t spent yet, a.k.a. performance bonus, I wanted some comfort food. What immediately came to mind for sugar and carb overdose but afternoon tea. As a former British colony, it has been a mainstay at many of Hong Kong’s leading restaurants and hotels. And why not? Afternoon Tea is more than just a drink; it is an occasion.

“There is nothing more quintessentially iconic of Hong Kong than experiencing the acclaimed Peninsula Classic Afternoon Tea."

The Peninsula Hong Kong Lobby

Totally sold by the hotel’s description of what it has to offer, we dressed up, well in smart casual dresses at least to not disrespect the centuries-old posh tradition, and went to Tsim Sha Tsui to taste a piece of history.

The Lobby

The Peninsula Hong Kong opened in 1928 and has been a popular meeting place for locals from then on. It is said that the hotel preserved the baroque architectural design since its opening. The Lobby is indeed a reflection of an elegant English-style interior, a reminiscent of the territory’s colonial era.

Alizarin by Timothy Paul Myers

The art installation, Alizarin by Timothy Paul Myers, radiantly greeted us as we entered The Lobby. However, more striking than the red felt structure of an indulgent afternoon tea - tea pots, tea cups, champagne and flute glasses and whatnot, was the queue of people who’d been waiting to be served.

After 40 minutes, we were finally seated. The butler handed in the menu of the lounge’s tea collection. My daughter selected the Classic Peninsula Blend, while I opted for the Caramel-flavoured Tea. We tried the tea as is, but I preferred mine with milk, being loyal to its British origins.

The Peninsula Classic Afternoon Tea

The Peninsula Classic Afternoon Tea

The classic cake stand came layered with four scones at the bottom, four kinds of savouries and finger sandwiches in the middle and four varieties of sweets and pastries at the top.

There was a remarkable conversation in the movie Remember Me where Ally said she eats her dessert first. And when Tyler asked if it’s a political statement or a medical condition, she casually replied, “I just don't see the point in waiting. I mean, what if I die while eating my entree?”

With that prelude, humour me in saying “I eat a scone first” smothered with clotted cream and topped with jam. It’s not that I don’t follow the etiquette but there’s no other pleasure in the afternoon tea than a warm and creamy scone. This had been the creamiest scone I’ve ever tasted, although my daughter begged to differ saying “the ones we had in the UK were still better.” I dismissed the topic by not commenting back. After all, we’re there to enjoy the afternoon.

Part of the excitement has always been the guessing game of what the sandwiches and pastries were made of. It’s the slowly paced savouring of the food and fascination of the exquisitely designed minis while cleansing the palate with a sip of tea.

Orange Chocolate Bonbon

Just when we thought we were done, the attendant came back with a pair of bonbon. Very pleased, a bite of the orange-infused chocolate was the perfect way to end the meal.

There are a lot of hotels and establishments offering afternoon tea in Hong Kong. It wouldn’t hurt to start with the classic to have a baseline of what to expect and what to look for as a variation for next time.

The Peninsula Hong Kong

Whether it’s the real deal or just a marketing propaganda, I’d say the Afternoon Tea at the Peninsula is still something to try at least once. Besides, its historical façade is not only lively and captivating, but inviting... wanting to be explored.

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