This was published 11 years ago
Five of a kind: New high tea
Scones and ribbon sandwiches are just for starters as an English tradition is reinvented, writes Sarina Lewis.
THE READING ROOM
WHEN sun shines through the courtyard to illuminate sturdy timber tables brightened by woodland-esque flowers, it's difficult to imagine a better setting for high tea. At the Reading Room you'll find a stellar example of this very English custom. Chef Ingo Meissner (formerly St Ali, Outpost Cafe and Fitzrovia) offers a chef's selection, $13, which includes five sweet treats such as passionfruit cheesecake, macarons, or chestnut, rhubarb and honey crumble - paired with your choice of Chamellia teas. Or gather a group, book ahead and design your own low-key or extravagant affair. Weekends only. 88 Ballarat Road, Footscray, Victoria University (entry via Hoadley Court), 0413 842 690, Mon-Fri 7.30am-7pm, Sat-Sun 8am-4pm, readingroomcafe.com.au
High tea from The Reading Room cafe at Victoria University in Footscray.Credit: Eddie Jim
LADY BOWER KITCHEN
WHEN Vanessa Nitsos braved the cafe black hole of main-street Reservoir to open Lady Bower Kitchen, she had a clear vision of the oasis she wished to create: greenery, a Scandinavian aesthetic and thoughtful touches (that crochet throw, those tea cups). In an atmosphere Nitsos describes as ''pretty vintage gingham'', Lady Bower's monthly afternoon tea party, $25, starts with savouries (perhaps pulled-pork and roast-apple sandwiches), before a sweet buffet of trifles, cupcakes and scones served with the cafe's own jams (pictured) and Five Senses tea. Book in advance and dress to impress. 1A Marchant Avenue, Reservoir, 9469 5851, Tues-Sun 8am-4pm, ladybower.com.au. Afternoon tea held on the last Sunday of every month, book through the website.
Lady Bower in Reservoir.Credit: Eddie Jim
CINEMA NOVA
WATCH the latest movies in a refined setting during high-tea screenings held on Saturdays and Sundays at 3pm. On an extra-wide Nova Deluxe seat, settle in with an array of sandwiches, cakes and finger food: think salmon and mayonnaise on toasted rye and miniature lemon and raspberry tarts. The $39 ticket price includes a drink on arrival, the screening and food. Graze before the curtain folds back, then fill your retro-style cardboard box for seconds once the movie begins. Neither gluten-free nor vegetarian options can be catered for. Bookings are best made online. 380 Lygon Street, Carlton, 9347 5331, cinemanova.com.au
EIGHTY ONE
HIGH tea is taken every Sunday within the moodily lit space of Berwick's Eighty One Restaurant. Under a soaring timber ceiling, guests sip and sup from white porcelain crockery at linen-clad tables. Savouries begin with ribbon sandwiches (from traditional salmon and cucumber, to spinach spread with a mushroom paste), followed by mini boreks, pasties or fritters. Cakes are by Chocolate Sensation and might include brownie bites and lemon-and-lime meringue tarts, while the scones are made to order served with vanilla mascarpone and fruit jams. The price is $49 and includes bottomless tea and coffee, a glass of sparkling and a lolly buffet. 81 High Street, Berwick, 9768 9555, Tues-Fri noon-late, Sat 5pm-late, Sun 9am-late, eightyone.com.au
Cinema Nova.
MARMALADE AND SOUL
TEA sipped from the floral splendour of Robert Gordon pottery is the ideal beginning to a high-tea experience at Marmalade and Soul. The latest venture from Raymond Capaldi (Hare and Grace), the heritage-listed site of the Old Homestead Inn has been transformed with wire baskets of fresh vegetables, vintage decorative touches and an urban-meets-country interior. Start with cake tiers replete with ribbon sandwiches - maybe cucumber or curried egg - followed by Dench croissants, Danish pastries and house-made cakes and muffins, $35. Tea Drop tea and coffee are bottomless, and bookings required. 162 Queens Parade, Fitzroy North, 9486 2740, Tues-Fri 10am-4pm, Sat-Sun 8am-4pm, Wed-Sat 6.30-10pm, marmaladeandsoul.com
High tea cakes at Eightyone.Credit: Eddie Jim