We had the opportunity to attend a preview of the Festival Afternoon Tea, that will be held on the 13th of December at the Pullman Melbourne on the Park.
This exclusive event is crafted under the direction of Executive Chef Mihir Mandal, who joined Pullman Melbourne on the Park two years ago after working in luxury hotels across the Middle East. Having honed his skills alongside Michelin-starred chefs, Chef Mihir brings a strong French influence to the menu. His meticulous approach to technique and flavour layering shines through in a menu that balances seasonal ingredients, textures and presentation beautifully.
Overlooking the Fitzroy Gardens, the hotel’s dining space provides a serene setting for guests to unwind and indulge.
This is a generously portioned afternoon tea, featuring four cold savouries, four warm savouries, four desserts and three additional festive treats. The range and quality make it one of the most substantial seasonal offerings in Melbourne.
The savoury selection opens with finger sandwiches and canapés. Highlights include the Golden Smoked Salmon Blini Royal, topped with dill crème fraîche, salmon pearls and a touch of gold leaf, and the Yuletide Turkey & Cranberry Brioche, where truffle chestnut aioli elevates the familiar festive flavours. The North Pole Lobster Roll, delicately seasoned with lemon myrtle, Avruga caviar and kaffir lime aioli, is luxurious and refreshing in equal measure.
Moving to the warm savouries, each is full of personality. The Enchanted Forest Mille-feuille, featuring wild mushrooms and porcini dust, is beautifully balanced with flaky pastry and earthy depth. The Snowflake Filo Parcels filled with ricotta and spinach offer a light contrast, while the Starlight Duck Croquette delivers a satisfying richness, enhanced by wild fig compote and a subtle spiced crumb. Finally, the Festive Chestnut Turkey Roulade provides a comforting nod to tradition with its sweet mustard relish and holiday spice.
The sweet course highlights The Golden Apple Tatin Magic captures the essence of Christmas, with caramelised apple compote, lime-infused Jivara coconut sablé and chocolate croustillant for texture. The Hukambi & Apricot Kiss is another highlight, blending Valrhona chocolate with hazelnut and apricot to create a dessert that’s indulgent yet balanced. The Berry & Basil Christmas Bloom combines raspberry and basil in a fresh, aromatic pairing, while the Tropical Bauble Bliss adds a touch of whimsy with passionfruit Chantilly and vanilla sablé.
The Spiced Gingerbread Scones are particularly memorable. Light and fragrant, they are served with vanilla Chantilly, lemon curd and mixed berry jam. Accompanying them are Festive Lemon Pepper and Pecorino Chouquettes.
To finish, guests are treated to a trio of festive delicacies that reflect the French influence woven throughout the menu: Crinkle-Top Christmas Cookies, Traditional Festive Christollen, and Provençal Calissons of Joy. Each bite offers a nostalgic taste of European Christmas tradition, rounding out the experience with warmth and authenticity.
Tea remains central to the experience, with a Christmas blend of elderflower, camomile, apple juice, cinnamon and star anise that smells divine and tastes even better. For added sparkle, guests can opt for a glass of Prosecco.
For those seeking a sophisticated way to celebrate the season, this afternoon tea is full of flavour and is exceptional value.
The Festive Afternoon Tea at Pullman Melbourne on the Park is a one-day-only event on 13 December, with two sittings available (12.30–3.30pm and 1.30–4.30pm). Pricing is $80 per adult, or $89 including a glass of Prosecco, and $45 per child (5–15 years).
Festive Afternoon Tea Menu
SAVOURY INDULGENCE
A selection of indulgent finger sandwiches:
- Golden smoked salmon blini royal – Smoked Tasmanian salmon, dill crème fraîche, salmon pearls & gold leaf
- Yuletide turkey & cranberry brioche – Roast turkey slider with truffle chestnut aioli
- North Pole lobster roll – Lobster & lemon myrtle, Avruga caviar & kafir lime aioli
- Truffle & caviar Noël bite – Silken egg mousse layered in a festive finger sandwich
- Enchanted forest mille-feuille – Mélange of wild mushrooms, porcini dust, flaky pastry
- Snowflake filo parcels – Ricotta & spinach wrapped in crisp filo, crowned with whipped ricotta
- Starlight duck croquette – Aylesbury duck, wild fig compote & spiced crumb
- Festive chestnut turkey roulade – Turkey sausage roll with chestnut, sweet mustard relish & holiday spice
WHIMSICAL FESTIVE CREATIONS
- Golden apple tatin magic – Caramelised cinnamon apple compote, lime-infused Jivara coconut pressed sablé, chocolate croustillant
- Berry & Basil Christmas Bloom – Valrhona raspberry inspiration whipped ganache, basil-infused berry confiture, chocolate sablé
- Tropical bauble bliss Valrhona passion inspiration – Chantilly, passionfruit gel, vanilla sablé
- Hukambi & Apricot Kiss Valrhona – Hukambi hazelnut pressed sablé, Hukambi crémeux, apricot confit
WARM FESTIVE COMFORTS
- Spiced gingerbread scones
- Sugar-kissed classic scones
Served with lemon curd, vanilla Chantilly & mixed berry jam - Festive lemon pepper & pecorino chouquettes
SEASONAL SIGNATURES
- Crinkle-top Christmas cookies
- Traditional festive Christollen
- Provençal calissons of joy
High Tea Melbourne – find more experiences
in our High Tea Venue Directory
Reviews for this venue:
- 5 September 2023: High Tea at Pullman on the Park Melbourne
