If you are looking for a quiet and relaxed afternoon tea spot, away from the hustle and bustle of East TST, the InterContinental Grand Stanford Hong Kong, may be just what you are looking for.
Their “Sonata in Pink Major” afternoon tea is every shade of pink you can imagine, and lots of thought has clearly gone into how to marry the delicate essence of Japanese Sakura with the sweetest of Korean Strawberries.
We arrived ten minutes early, and were really impressed with the look of the restaurant and the views you can see just walking up. We were keen to sit down, read the menu and take in more of the views. However, we were told we were ten minutes early and to go wait in the lobby!
We scuttled off downstairs as told; ten minutes later we came back and were seated at the back of the restaurant. We listened to the waitress talk through the many delights with interest. I love afternoon tea to be based around a good cup of tea – so you can imagine my shock when I asked for the choice of teas and was told that the chef was serving afternoon tea with a giant smoothie! Definitely not my cup of tea! I asked for an Earl Grey nevertheless, and was told they were not sure if they could do that… I eventually did get one, but perhaps this particular afternoon tea location is not for the confirmed tea-drinking fan.
The Mistral Italian restaurant where Afternoon Tea is served is bright and airy, and on a cloud-free day it will afford you some great views of Hong Kong’s glorious Victoria Harbour. The afternoon tea setting itself is elegant with crisp, clean white linen tablecloths and napkins, and some lovely silverware.
Now if we look at the food served here, you won’t go hungry! The afternoon tea set is extensive. The many savoury delights included succulent Boston lobster tossed in a light butter lobster mayonnaise and paired with peppery rocket leaves, all in a pink bread bun; Fegato D’Oca: a luxurious goose liver pâté infused with the floral notes of Sakura; and even a sushi roll filled with tender crab meat.
The sweet treats were also plentiful. What stood out for me in particular was the humble Madeline – a twist on a classic the hotel had done by infusing it with Sakura and citrus. There were also profiteroles filled with vanilla cream and strawberry ganache; mini pink scones served with clotted cream and strawberry jam; and a rose Sakura Mont Blanc. Suffice to say we struggled to finish and just as we thought we were at the finish line, they brought us a clotted cream gelato which, as simple and delicate as it was, was very much the star of the show. And if all of that isn’t enough, you can even add a pink bellini cocktail to elevate the experience!
Some tricky things about the menu (other than afternoon tea without a good cuppa!) were that there were no vegetarian options: when we asked if there were some that the chef could do, we were simply told no. When we asked for the smoothie to be done with a plant-based milk, we were told it can be done with skimmed milk and that no plant-based milks are offered. There are a vast array of afternoon tea experiences in Hong Kong, and with so much competition for customers other venues are doing much more to cater for those wanting gluten-free, vegetarian and halal options.
If you enjoy opera, after enjoying your Sonata in Pink Major Harbour View Afternoon Tea, you can appreciate Mozart’s The Magic Flute presented by Opera Hong Kong at a 20% discount.
The Sonata in Pink Major Harbour View Afternoon Tea runs from now until 30 June 2025 Time: 3:30 – 5:30pm. It is priced at HK$728 from Monday to Friday and HK$788 on Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays.
The Sonata in Pink Major Harbour View Afternoon Tea Menu:
Savoury Delights
- Salmone e Caviale: Delicate smoked salmon is elegantly presented on soft tomato blinis, enhanced with a sprinkle of sakura powder for a floral aroma that complements the rich flavours.
- L’Aragosta: Succulent Boston lobster is tossed in a light butter lobster mayonnaise and paired with peppery rocket leaves, all in a homemade bread bun, creating a refreshing and luxurious bite.
- Fegato D’Oca: This luxurious goose liver pâté is delicately infused with the floral notes of sakura, creating a rich and creamy texture. It is elegantly topped with a sweet plum wine jelly that adds a delightful contrast, enhancing the profile of the mousse.
- Sushi al Granchio: A unique sushi roll featuring Japanese sakura sushi rice, filled with tender crab meat, offering a delightful blend of textures and flavours.
Sweet Indulgences:
- Il Profiterole: Light and airy profiteroles filled with a luscious vanilla cream, drizzled with a rich strawberry ganache that adds a burst of fruity sweetness.
- Madeleine: These classic French sponge cakes are infused with a hint of sakura and citrus, served alongside a dollop of homemade strawberry jam for a modern twist on a traditional treat.
- Cremoso Alla Sakura: A delightful rose and sakura Mont Blanc featuring a velvety rose chocolate crèmeux layered with almond cream. This elegant dessert combines floral notes and nutty richness, creating a harmonious and indulgent treat that melts in the mouth.
- Yogurt Panna Cotta: A luscious strawberry panna cotta paired with smooth white chocolate cream, beautifully topped with a medley of seasonal berries. This dessert offers a perfect blend of creamy sweetness and vibrant fruit flavours.
- Bavarese Alla Fragola: A sumptuous strawberry chocolate bavarois layered with a vibrant strawberry and basil confit, all resting on a crisp almond sable.
Scone:
- Traditional scones served warm, accompanied by British clotted cream and refreshing strawberry jam.
High Tea Hong Kong find more experiences in our High Tea Venue Directory.
