Top five places to indulge in Afternoon Tea

Afternoon tea is what I call the best contribution of the British culinary experience of the palate. Add to that the fact that being away from home has urged me to go on a quest to find the best afternoon teas available in the country. After trying an array of different places I present to you my top five.

The first place I tried out was The Ritz Carlton. Their afternoon tea was located at the top of the hotel, overseeing the sea and parts of the Lagoon area. The ambiance was lavish. I was surprised to find a number of different options to the afternoon tea; so I chose the traditional and Arabic options among them. Both were presented in a small three-tier metal cake stand, serving one of each savory and sweet treats, except for the scones. The Arabic stand offered the usual baklava and miniature versions of the mezzes while the traditional stand contained an array of finger sandwiches, cakes and tarts.  The scones were accompanied with some cream, jam and lemon curd.

Next, I visited Sarab Lounge at The St Regis. Just like The Ritz, the luxurious setting intrigued me. The tea selection was divine and the options seemed endless. The actual afternoon tea was presented on three two-tier cake stands. Although their portions were small, their savory and sweet selections were tasty and rich. The only downfall was that they served cream cheese to accompany the scones; and that didn’t work well in highlighting the fluffy scones.

When I heard about the tea garden at the Torch I knew that would be my next stop. Located at the 21st floor, overlooking the Al Waab area, I was greeted with a refreshing complimentary juice while I waited for my order. You can choose from an array of tea options to accompany the afternoon tea. The miniature savory and sweet delights were served on two flat, medium-sized plates and were enough for a sharing couple.

The W Café by far had the most peculiar yet admirable presentation. Their afternoon tea is presented in a large white three-tier birdcage cake stand.  They are extremely generous with their portions too! What I found to be remarkably attentive about them was that the customers are asked about allergies and food preferences prior to being served. This made the experience even more pleasurable. The treats served were rich in taste and particularly enjoyable.

Last but not least was the most exceptional afternoon tea experience of them all, served at the Lobby of the Marriott Marquis hotel. What blew me away was the remarkable service from the staff. Rather than selecting your tea from the menu, it is brought to you on a trolley alongside a tea timer, which ensures your tea is prepared to your satisfaction. The waiter then served a three- tier cake stand containing two of each element. Accompanying it was a scones basket and a mouthwatering chocolate fondue. The sandwiches and treats tasted so light and fresh. Despite my dismay at discovering dark chocolate in it, the fondue wasn’t displeasing, and in fact, you are left with the overpowering flavor of cacao.