Afternoon Tea at The Conservatory, Crown Melbourne

Review by on
Photographer: Michelle Milton
Anthony Teva Dagorn, Pastry Sous Chef, at The Conservatory Crown Melbourne
Anthony Teva Dagorn, Pastry Sous Chef, at The Conservatory Crown Melbourne

The Chocolate Afternoon Tea at The Conservatory has taken a decidedly more traditional turn with its new menu and operations.

Last time The High Tea Society visited The Conservatory in December 2016, it was to discover a thoroughly non-traditional (but nevertheless enjoyable) afternoon tea served entirely buffet-style. Instead of finger sandwiches, there was peking duck pancakes, and dedicated Indian and Asian serving bars.

Now, The Conservatory team has upped the ante, and we’re thrilled with the changes.

Rather than queuing up at the hot buffet stations on arrival, afternoon tea goers are now treated to their savouries served at their table on the requisite three-tier cake stand, with a selection of baked savouries on the bottom, three finger sandwiches with ultra-traditional fillings in the middle, and both plain and raisin scones taking out the top tier.

Afternoon Tea at The Conservatory
Afternoon Tea at The Conservatory
Afternoon Tea at The Conservatory
Afternoon Tea at The Conservatory
Sandwiches
Li chu chocolate and blackcurrant choux
Afternoon Tea at The Conservatory

The finger sandwiches are done to absolute perfection, with generous, fresh fillings, while the pumpkin and parmesan parcel was the stand-out of the savouries.

At this stage the dessert buffet beckons and pleasingly, there’s not a line to be seen as guests go up at their leisure to select from the extensive dessert items on offer. If there’s one fly in the ointment, it’s that you’ll find it impossible to taste everything that’s on offer.

The current selection has been curated under the theme of Chocolate Tea Time, with each dessert featuring chocolate in some way or form. This menu will run until the end of June.

Visually, the dessert selection is to die for, with each cake and petit four decorated to perfection. The Green Apple Vitality – which is presented to look like a mini Granny Smith apple, was a personal favourite, but the Honey Bee cake is the most popular among afternoon tea goers, says pastry sous chef Anthony Teva Dagorn.

Anthony Teva Dagorn, Pastry Sous Chef
Anthony Teva Dagorn, Pastry Sous Chef
Afternoon Tea at The Conservatory
Scones
Afternoon Tea at The Conservatory
The Conservatory
Key lime pie

The French-born chef said the petite desserts were specifically made to be easy to eat without ruining one’s lipstick (trés thoughtful!), while the venue is deliberately laid out to be spacious, to give each table an intimate feel.

Add to that The Conservatory’s high ceilings, expansive chandeliers, and large windows overlooking the Yarra River, and this is easily one of Melbourne’s classiest afternoon tea offerings.

It’s not only classy, but popular too, with the venue full on the Sunday that The High Tea Society comes to visit. Big and small groups of (mostly) women are dressed in the finest and the mood is chatty.

To add to the refined offering, Moet and Chandon champagne is on offer for those so inclined, while tea is served in cute individual silver teapots.

Just when you thought The Conservatory could not ooze any more style, it has outdone by taking a more traditional approach to afternoon tea.

Chocolate Afternoon Tea at The Conservatory Menu:

Afternoon Tea at The Conservatory
Afternoon Tea at The Conservatory

Savoury selection, served on high tea stands:

  • Traditional and raisin scones with whipped cream and strawberry jam
  • Chicken, cranberry and brie pie
  • Traditional sausage roll
  • Pumpkin and parmesan parcel

Finger sandwiches with:

  • Chicken and celery
  • Curried egg and chive
  • Smoked salmon, cucumber and cream cheese

Live station:

  • Freshly made crepes and berliner
  • Caramelised banana, berry compote, vanilla custard, Nutella sauce, whipped cream
  • Compotes of pineapple, peach, plum, lychee and mandarin

Cheese selections:

  • Australian cheddar, blue and brie cheeses with grissini, lavosh and dried fruits

Sweets:

  • Seasonal sliced fresh fruits
  • Chocolate brownie, cookies and truffles
  • Assorted candies and lollies with three flavours of chocolate fountain
  • Selection of Movenpick ice creams and sorbet
  • Strawberry and macaron tower
Afternoon Tea at The Conservatory
Afternoon Tea at The Conservatory

Chocolate Tea Time desserts:

  • Red velvet cake
  • Green apple vitality
  • Li chu chocolate and blackcurrant choux
  • Raspberry and lime lollipops
  • Exotic praline cake
  • Banana peanut butter
  • Black forest cup
  • Chocolate coconut cake
  • Coffee orange tart
  • Key lime pie
  • Praline passionfruit tartlet
  • Chocolate madeline
  • Honeybee cake

 

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

The Conservatory, Crown Melbourne:

8 Whiteman Street, Southbank VIC 3006
When:

The Conservatory serves afternoon tea between 3pm and 5pm on Saturdays, and 3.30pm and 5.30pm on Sundays.

Cost:

$75 for afternoon tea only; $88 including a flute of Moet and Chandon; $118 including flowing Moet and Chandon

For bookings, click to call: 03 9292 5777 Website

Prices are correct at the time of publishing, but subject to change. Please contact the venue for further details.

Charlene Macaulay
Charlene Macaulay

Charlene has been a High Tea Society contributor since 2013. She has over ten years’ experience working as a journalist and is now a communications specialist in the local government sector. Charlene loves reading, travel, going for long walks and a good glass of champagne or red (depending on the occasion). Having tried scones from just about every Melbourne high tea venue there is (and some interstate and international venues too) she can definitively state that her mum’s remain the best.

Articles by Charlene