High Tea at InterContinental Sydney Double Bay

Afternoon Tea at InterContinental Sydney Double Bay fuses art and food together with a limited edition Haut Patisserie High Tea that is not to be missed.

High Tea at InterContinental Sydney Double Bay is a formal affair, with white clothed tables, 5-star elegance and a subdued setting, ideal for a special occasion.

InterContinental Double Bay is Sydney’s elegant bayside retreat. An iconic hotel that has been welcoming celebrities, VIP’s and the well heeled for decades. Refurbished in 2014, the hotel reopened to reveal a new level of luxury with 140 rooms, rooftop poolside bar and Stillery Bar and Dining.

It’s here on the lobby level Stillery Bar that High Tea is served. Guests have the option to select from a delicious range of High Tea menus including the Signature High Tea or Oriental High Tea with optional Champagne or mini martini flight. Also, for a limited time guests can indulge in the art-inspired Haut Patisserie.

Cold smoked trout, ricotta, black caviar, blini

High Tea at InterContinental Double Bay Sydney

Savoury selection

Haut Patisserie is a limited edition high tea and a creative extension of the hotel brand’s partnership with contemporary artist Alexander Hall, who created a stunning art installation to commemorate the milestone of reaching 200 InterContinental Hotels & Resorts across the globe. Alexander recently visited Australia to officially unveil Haut Patisserie and create an art installation of 15 exquisite hand-painted Champagne bottles in his signature drip-style, which are on display in the hotel.

This drip-style is translated to Haut Patisserie High Tea in the form of a hand painted Champagne infused macaron, displayed on an edible chocolate easel. This artistic masterpiece is served alongside a delectable selection of savoury bites including sage lemon chicken and watercress sandwich, wild mushroom bruschetta with grilled leek and pecorino and smoked trout, ricotta, black caviar blini.

Mascarpone mousse, crab apple jelly

Lemon lime bitter macaron,

Scones with jam and cream

Another highlight of the sweet selection is a mascarpone mousse with crab apple jelly on an Anzac biscuit base in the most shocking vivid green. The combination of crunch from the biscuit base and smooth mousse centre was superb.

Pastry Chef Chelsea Logan believes her signature item is the scones, which are freshly baked in house daily and served with fresh cream and jams. It’s the art of simplicity, executed perfectly that makes InterContinental Double Bay a standout. Logan says “The high tea menu offers a classic high tea, which is a long-standing tradition in InterContinental plus we also offer an Oriental High Tea that offers a twist on the traditional offers as well as a Children’s High Tea which is perfect for a birthday or special treat.”

So, naturally we had to try the Oriental High Tea too and we’re so glad we did! Starting with the warm dumpling selection, served in a traditional bamboo steamer we were treated to pork and prawn siu mai, green tea and vegetables, pork xia long bao and bolgogi beef gyoza. For a dumpling lover this is a magical start and feels like fancy yum cha.

Sweet selection

Signature High Tea and the Oriental High Tea

The savoury selection were equally lipsmackingly delicious with Karage Chicken Bao Bun with finger lime, shallots and wasabi kewpie mayonnaise, Peking Duck Spring Roll with blood orange hoisin and Sesame salmon sashimi with wakame, edamame and pickled kohlrabi.

The sweet selection included coconut sago with pineapple and micro mint, Mango Gateaux with white chocolate and almond joconde and Pandan cream oriental tart.

The Oriental High Tea experience is partnered with a glass of Perrier-Jouet Champagne, followed by Vittoria Coffee or LMDT loose leaf tea. We chose an exotic blossom tea, which brews at the table in a transparent teapot so you can watch the mini floral bouquet bloom right before your eyes. I chose the Black Tea, Globe Amaranth and Jasmine Chocolate Tea and its subtle chocolate flavour paired perfectly with dessert.

With prior notice, InterContinental Sydney Double Bay can cater for dietary requirements such as vegetarian and gluten free as well as the Children’s High Tea.

With a great selection of High Tea options at InterContinental Sydney Double Bay, it’s hard to pick a favourite; you might just need to make a return visit.