One of the beautiful teapots our tea was served in
During a mid-session break from University, my two girlfriends and I decided we needed to treat ourselves to an afternoon of High Tea at The Observatory Hotel's Globe Brassiere and Bar, located in the Sydney CBD.
After being shown to our table with a warm welcome, we glanced around the room in awe. Walls were lined with bookshelves containing leather-bound classics and the atmosphere was quite hushed. We were given menus and ice-cold water upon being seated, as well as a briefing on the numerous blends of tea on offer and the treats we could expect to arrive shortly.
As the waitress brought us our three-tiered stand of goodies, we were quite impressed. The stand contained sandwiches, scones, mini cheesecakes and crème brulees, chocolate mousse and fruit pastries. Starting at the first tier, we began eating the sandwiches that contained a selection of smoked salmon and capers, ham and cheese, cucumber and watercress, as well as soft curried egg.
The stand of treats
Next we moved onto the scones, which were served with jam and cream. To finish off our High Tea experience, we slowly made our way through each dessert, all made by a trained pastry chef.
Throughout the afternoon we chatted and sipped tea, enjoying each other's company and the surroundings. The service was to be commended, as staff were well-spoken and polite, never allowing a glass of water to become empty or our tea to turn cold, frequently making visits to top-up tea pots with hot water.
Overall the experience was one to be cherished, embodying the traditional and grand English custom of High Tea. Although there are cheaper High Tea options available in Sydney, The Observatory Hotel is highly reputable and well worth the expense.
The elegant setting
