Even in these trying times when the food and beverage sector has been walloped by the coronavirus, it seems that the appeal of lazing an afternoon away in virtuous company over tea and beautiful snacks has not gone away. Business for high tea sets is holding steady for restaurants and café and even picking up for some. There is a divergent lifestyle shift. Earlier, people would step out for a quick tea or coffee at work, but now they prefer lingering over high tea. A British tradition, the concept of high tea is very different from a normal tea break. With a lavish spread of salads, crackers with butter, teacakes, fruitcakes, homemade bread, pies and tarts, it started as something for royals and aristocrats to spend their afternoon in a leisurely fashion on their cushy posh chairs. Today, many upscale hotels across the globe offer different versions of the time-honoured tradition. Here are some of the top eateries in India that are a classy blend of contemporary and conventional.
Flurys, Kolkata
The quintessential abode of style and sophistication and with its European legacy, Flurys is considered one of the best tearooms for indulging in top quality European confections and chocolates in the affluent Park Street. Flurys has been serving high tea as part of its menu for the last nine decades. Freshly brewed teas are served along with a choice of butter cream pastries, tarts, tea sandwiches and scones. Apart from this, there is an entire menu available for guests to create their own high tea assortment. In the era of quick-fix ‘coffee to go’ concept, Flurys prides itself in being a space that is relaxed, contemporary and trendy where one can indulge in elaborate high teas. Flurys also creates high tea buffets that are exclusive and indulgent and are an epitome of a classic tea room experience. The ‘afternoon tea’ consists of a lemon tart, a butterscotch pastry, cucumber tea sandwich and tea or coffee. The ‘cream tea’ simply consists of a choice of tea/coffee accompanied with two freshly baked scones, clotted cream, jam and butter. Apart from these, there are various customisable options available and are served as per the choice of guests.
Sea Lounge, Mumbai
Situated on the first floor of The Taj Mahal Palace, Sea Lounge retains and recreates the magic of the past era. The iconic and elegant large windows open to the majestic views of the Mumbai harbour and The Gateway of India. It has been host to Maharajas, freedom fighters, artists, politicians and businessmen. Many love stories have blossomed here. It has seen generations come and experience the creative cuisine that it is famous for, with signature dishes like the Bombay toasty and Bombay chaat. The afternoon tea at Sea Lounge has got more stylish with the introduction of the Asian high tea. The Asian high tea buffet is served from 3.30pm to 7pm with a selection of delicate vegetarian and non-vegetarian cold sandwiches, muffins and scones. The hot section has choices of quiches, satays and mini burgers, with a live counter serving chaat that Sea Lounge is renowned for. Find the perfect accompaniment in unlimited servings of tea and coffee. Whether it be an indulgent high tea or a soothing late evening listening to live jazz, Sea Lounge is ready to welcome you back.
On Kourse, Restaurant Klub Karma, Gurugram
The carefully curated menu is based on use of about 60 per cent of ingredients that are organically grown and locally sourced from their own organic farm situated on the property. This ensures that the delicacies prepared maintain the highest standards of quality and nutrition. The high tea comprises of a variety of teas and coffees available to choose from, a choice of six savoury delicacies and two desserts (teacakes and fruitcakes). The restaurant offers a fixed menu however; a customised menu may be prepared on request. Don’t miss the warm wild mushrooms on cheese crackers, baked cigar and asparagus, and sun-dried tomato bruschetta. On Kourse curates specialised high tea experiences on special requests. These include a variety of venues to host the high tea. Fancy a private dining deck—an intimate event by the lake, by the poolside or the garden?
Mister Chai, Shangri-La’s Eros Hotel, Delhi
A first-of-its-kind tea restaurant in the heart of the capital, Mister Chai focuses on regional Indian street food in a modern and luxurious setting, enclosed by a beautifully detailed brass balustrade, with each bookend creating a unique design detail with elements of an Indian teashop presented in a sophisticated ambience. A unique concept that is curated to give patrons a local ‘tea shop feel’. Placed on the left is the full height, gold-leaf-etched timbre Tibetan prayer wheels and to the right is an intricate screen of planter boxes. These quaint and exquisite elements ensure that guests enjoy privacy from the main lobby. The lounge entails an engaging masala chai action station and a delectable assortment of pastries displayed in intricately designed jewellery boxes, which further enhances the quiet luxury of the place. Recommendations go all out for the butter chicken samosa, chai ki tapri, shakarkandi chaat and the classic vada pao.
Anjum, Fairmont Hotel, Jaipur
The location at the lobby level of the hotel along with an abundance of natural light, an iconic chandelier representing a constellation, handcrafted frescoes and complementing pastel furnishing makes it the ideal high tea venue. High Teas at Anjum offer a seamless blend of modernity with regal Indian flavours, complementing the palace, Fairmont Jaipur. Along with the choicest selection of Indian and international teas and coffees, guests can indulge in a variety of locally-inspired munchies presented on a traditional three tier stand. These nibbles also include a few selections in paper cones, alluding to the street food that many of their guests have enjoyed, especially in their childhood. While indulgent, the options include healthy versions of popular snacks such as masala seven-grain uppari bhel and innovations from their culinary team such as gingelly oil gunpowder idli skewers. To add a sweet balance, guests can delight in petit fours with Indian flavours such as naan khatai and filter coffee truffles. Fairmont Jaipur extends the high tea experience to create intimate events for guests, allowing for delightful conversations over delectable nibbles. These sessions can be organised at various venues across the palace grounds, with their chefs curating wonderful menus complementing the pours of the guests’ choice.
Darjeeling Lounge, ITC Royal Bengal, Kolkata
The romance of an early morning brew of Darjeeling is almost legendary and stuff that fables are made of, which led to the genesis and conceptualisation of this lounge. Take a step back in time to the tea estates of the 1800’s with the postcardperfect Darjeeling Lounge. A visit here is more than a culinary experience, it is an island of unhurried luxury where you can excuse yourself from the rush of the day for a well-deserved moment of respite. An eclectic offering of tastefully crafted one-bite wonders accompanied by an exclusive array of the finest teas, coffee and infused beverages make it a one-of-a-kind experience. The extensive menu pans through Darjeeling’s favourite first flush by Margaret’s Hope gardens and moves on to the malty black tea by Harmutty from Assam. The international selection includes brews such as Chinese Jasmine Monkey King tea from Hunan region, and Japanese Gyokuro Samurai, Ti Kuan Yin Superior from Fujian Province of China along with a long list of signature blends. The medley of gourmet bites complementing the beverages are a combination of celebrated international favourites replete with finger sandwiches, mini croissants, scones, pastries as well as Indian delights like the quintessential bite-sized Singara to renditions of local love such as kosha mangsho puff, kasundi salmon and asparagus pinwheel, aloo posto crostini, chorchori tarts and gondhoraje cheesecake.
