Afternoon Tea at the Sheraton Melbourne

It's being billed as a traditional afternoon tea with a French flair, and The Sheraton Melbourne's revamped menu is certainly très bon.

Dubbed “A Parisian Affair”, the Sheraton is embracing its location along the Paris end of Little Collins St with a new offering that includes French-inspired savoury morsels and a weekend dessert buffet, all washed down with a glass of Champagne Bollinger.

With nine éclair flavours such as double vanilla, passionfruit and bitter chocolate rotating through the line-up, there’s no doubt indulgence is on the menu.

This carries through to the wide variety of macaron flavours, including cookies and cream, pistachio and jasmine.

Sweet selection

Lemon an meringue and tartlets

Mini eclair

Strawberry tartlet

Afternoon Tea at the Sheraton Melbourne

Then there’s the visually stunning gateaux, the super-rich chocolate and coffee tartlets, and the Crepe Suzette, which is gently warmed in a reduction of orange and Grand Marnier right in front of you.

If you only try one of the gateaux, go for the Matcha – the cream simply melts in your mouth.

Both the eclairs and macarons are the work of famed Melbourne patisserie The Crux & Co, while the rest of the extensive menu is prepared in-house at the Little Collins St Kitchen.

But, I’m getting ahead of myself.

As wonderful as the desserts are (and they are delectable), the savouries are equally stunning.

Among my favourites were the crouton served with salmon creme fraiche and topped with caviar, the lightly warmed croissant with chicken and avocado, and the cucumber and tzatiki sandwich served on light rye bread.

All of this is accompanied by a variety of La Maison du Thé teas, which come served in individual pots.

It’s important to note that afternoon tea stands will still be served at the Sheraton on weekday afternoons.

For a thoroughly French afternoon, the Sheraton is worth a try.