Forget Brunch and Yum Cha, they’re so last season. The cool set are embracing the sophisticated ritual of HighTea, which is fast becoming the hottest new trend to hit the dining scene in recent years.
Once the domain of stuffy establishment hotels, High Tea is now in the midst of a fashionable revival. It’s being served in trendy restaurants and bars in the style capitals ofNew York, London and Sydney. A whole new generation is discovering the culinary pleasure of a delicately assembled Florentine and a dainty cucumber sandwich, in between exquisite sips of Russian Caravan served in the finest china teacups.
In Sydney, High Tea at cool restaurant and bar The Victoria Room,has become de de rigueur.. It’s so popular with local 20 and 30something’s that patrons must book weeks in advance to secure a table.In New York, east coast sophisticates are revelling in the British tradition at the Wild Lily Tea Room,whose contemporary take on it (think Butternut Squash Cream Spread onWalnut Raisin Bread and apricot and almond scones) has patrons cueing at each sitting. London’s Tea Palace is brimming with pretty young things in floral dresses liking their lips at the sight of their delicate cakes and biscuits.
It’s only a matter of time before the trend spreads and consumers will want to recreate the sophisticated experience at home. by Lisa Evans
