Bon Viveur

High tea. A name that evokes strong memories of a gentler, more leisurely, stately pace of life. Be it real or imagined: ideas gleaned from books, period films or real life experience; the phrase conjours images of lush green summers, sitting on the terrace, in the formal garden with wide brimmed straw hats, nibbling dainty sandwiches and sipping cups of tea from fine bone china delicately decorated in magenta or blue floral patterns.

Or not. Maybe that’s just me.

But certainly, the notion of a traditional English high tea alludes to a genteel, civilised slice of time partaking in some delicious victuals and conversation with family or friends. Leaving aside, if only for a couple of hours, the world outside. Something that is sorely lacking in our busy lives and hectic schedules.

The Pan Pacific hotel, as part of the Eat Drink Perth festival is offering traditional English high tea every Sunday in March between 3.00pm – 5.00pm. K and I sauntered down and spent a lovely afternoon in the dining hall overlooking the pool nibbling dainty sandwiches and sipping cups of tea (not of the floral or bone china variety sadly). Taking time out to chat and enjoy each other’s company away from the house, our daily lives, from other distraction.

Upon arrival, were were ushered into the dining room and were offered selection of seats. As it was early there were many unoccupied tables we were at leisure to pick any table we liked and settled on a corner overlooking the swimming pool. Ice cold water was quickly poured into glasses and we were left to peruse the tea menu. On offer was a fair selection of Twinnings tea and after mulling for a few minutes we decided on a pot of Russian Caravan tea each.

Tea orders placed, we were left on our own for a little while to take in the view of South Perth foreshore and contemplate the world (or navel). Our teas arrived in individual pots and were promptly set down. Perhaps it was the temperature of the water or just the leaves they used, but it took quite awhile for the tea to infuse and release its flavour.

Nonetheless, our tiered tray of deliciousness quickly followed the tea, and what lovely, dainty treats they were. The bottom tier consisted of a pair of scones with individual dishes of strawberry jam and smooth white spheres of whipped cream. Completing the tier were a pair of mini quiches. Upon tasting, they appeared to be chesse and dill quiches set within thin, crunchy shortbread pastry.

The middle tier held a selection of sandwiches. Not so traditional crustless cucumber finger sandwiches with cream cheese. Mini wraps filled with savoury chicken and avocado combined together with mayonaise with a touch of greens. And finally a dense-ish light rye bread with slices of smoked salmon topped with roe, capers and springs of herb.

The top tier is laden with a selection of chocolate filled delights including a rather crunchy chocolate brownie with vanilla custard quenelle and red sugar shard. A mini pot of chocolate cream topped with a layer of coffee cream and chocolate dusting and a large tongue of chocolate. Completing the dessert trio were a pair of mini lemon and passionfruit meringue dressed with chocolate curls.

The food was delicious and I found myself racing through and scoffing the sandwiches rather than slowing down and actually taking the time to savour the delicate flavours in each bite. Being the glutton that I am, I must confess being a little disappointed that we were not offered top-ups of sandwiches or scones. Speaking of scones, they were just a tad on the small side, so we had plenty of jam and cream left after the scones were consumed. Which, when no one was looking we greedily spooned into our mouthes and scraped the dishes clean.

In all fairness, once I slowed down and ate at a more relaxing pace, the quantity of food provided was perfectly sufficient. We left the restaurant nicely satiated. Combined with cups of tea and conversation, it made for a quiet, relaxing outing for the both of us.

Throughout our meal, the restaurant remained fairly quiet with only three other tables being occupied the entire time we were there. Co-incidentally, one of the other diners was Mei of Libertine Eats and we had a little chat comparing notes on the meal and other food adventures.

All in all, it was a wonderful and rather civilsed way of spending a warm, sunny Sunday afternoon. Something, I think we should allow ourselves to do more often.