Burberry Afternoon Tea at InterContinental Melbourne The Rialto

After a long hiatus, the InterContinental Melbourne is once again serving afternoon tea – and they’re back with a designer offering that is sure to tempt many a Melburnian.

The InterContinental Melbourne The Rialto has partnered with iconic fashion house Burberry to deliver a unique afternoon tea experience that celebrates the best of British culture, fashion and gastronomy.

This limited-edition designer afternoon tea, which runs over May and June, comes complete with a private styling session at Burberry. It is here, at their Collins Street store, that we begin our afternoon. We are paired with stylist Shannon, who offers us a glass of champagne before walking us through Burberry’s latest collection.

The Burberry label, Shannon tells us, has undergone a refresh in recent years under the guidance of new Chief Creative Officer Daniel Lee, who has injected his fresh take through several subtle updates, including diagonal plaid and the introduction of knight blue as a new signature colour.

From here, Shannon helps me select an outfit – soft pink wool tailored trousers paired with a black wool t-shirt and accessorised with a classic Burberry Long Gabardine Trench Coat, black leather baby pumps and a black Small Swan Bag with thick gold chain woven through the handle. She expertly ruches the sleeves of the trench and fixes them in place with the belted cuffs for a chic yet understated look.

We complete the session with some swooning over the bags and sunglasses before jumping on the tram to make our way to InterContinental Melbourne for the afternoon tea portion of our day.

Burberry Afternoon Tea, supplied photo

Charlene Macaulay tries on a classic Burberry trench coat

Burberry shoes

Charlene Macaulay being styled at Burberry

The InterContinental Melbourne has a long history of themed afternoon teas – who could forget High Coffee? – however this experience is Executive Chef Clinton Jackson’s first foray into afternoon tea since COVID.

Served at the InterContinental Melbourne’s Alluvial Restaurant, the extensive menu pays homage to many British classics, including fish and chips reimagined as a plump piece of cod sitting atop a fried potato medallion and topped with peas.

There’s also the perfectly seasoned chicken coronation finger sandwich, and a mini scotch egg that is packed with flavour, complimented by a generous slick of Branston pickle and served atop a crisp grilled croute.

Savoury selection

Savoury selection

Meanwhile, a Pimms shooter flavoured with cucumber foam and dehydrated rose petals provides a refreshing palate cleanser.

Other savoury standouts include blinis heaped with a king crab, apple and mayo mix and garnished with salmon roe, and super-creamy egg and cress finger sandwiches.

But the real hero dishes on this menu are the desserts, which have been crafted in collaboration with French pastry chef Pierrick Boyer of Rêverie Café.

From the foxy tiramisu tartlet with the perfect combination of chocolate and coffee to the tangy mimosa lemon tartlet creameux, each dessert is better than the last and each has a special story linked to the Burberry brand.

InterContinental Melbourne’s Alluvial Restaurant

Burberry Afternoon Tea sweet selection

Scones with jam and cream

Even the new signature knight blue gets a nod with the striking knight blue berry mousse sable and mascarpone kiss. However, my personal favourite here is the beautifully layered berry brownie a la rose, with layers of soft ganache and brownie culminating with a biscuit and walnut crunch at the base. All of this is served with a glass of G.H. Mumm Champagne and tea or coffee.

Just like a classic Burberry trench coat, afternoon tea at InterContinental Melbourne never goes out of style.

 

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Burberry Afternoon Tea Menu:

Cold savouries

• Chilled Pimms shooter with cucumber foam and dehydrated rose petals
• Beetroot and gin cured salmon roses on crisp cauliflower rice cakes
• Chicken coronation finger sandwiches
• Egg and cress sandwiches on rye sourdough
• King crab and apple mixed with mayo on a light blinis topped with salmon roe
• Scotch eggs with Branston pickle on crisp grilled croute

Hot savouries

• Lamb and rosemary pithiviers
• Cod and chips with tartare sauce
• Mini mac and cheese with Stilton sauce
• Vol-au-Vents filled with woodland mushrooms, asparagus and tarragon

Sweet

• Knight blue berry mousse sable, mascarpone kiss
• Berry brownie a la rose
• Mimosa lemon tartlet crémeux
• Foxy tiramisu tartlet
• Traditional English Scones, clotted cream & freshly made strawberry jam

High Tea Melbourne – find more experiences
in our High Tea Venue Directory