High Tea at Hearth, Ritz-Carlton Perth

I’m at Hearth at the Ritz-Carlton, Perth on Elizabeth Quay for their Signature Afternoon Tea.

The first time I was at the Ritz-Carlton Perth for Afternoon Tea, the modern five-star hotel had only been opened for six weeks. Fast forward 18 months and I’ve returned for an afternoon overlooking the Swan River for some sweet and savoury treats.

The afternoon tea began with a glass of the truly decadent Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage champagne. This was the perfect accompaniment for their three savouries, my first being the grilled Albany asparagus tart with cheddar custard, cured egg, crispy quinoa. The yummy buttery shell housed a surprisingly light custard which allowed the asparagus to shine while the crispy quinoa was both a pretty and flavoursome addition, making this savoury of the day.

Signature High Tea – supplied photo

Rhubarb and strawberry petit gâteau, yuzu ganache, finger lime – supplied image

Lemon aspen madeleine

However, a close second was the Shark Bay prawn brioche roll, avocado, sesame cream, nori and fish roe. Interestingly the filling was wrapped in a nori (seaweed) sheet and placed in the brioche roll which gave it a sushi-like feel to it. The temptation then was to deconstruct it but I resisted and I’m glad I did as the flavours, particularly the sesame cream, when combined with the brioche roll were sooo good.

My last savoury for the day was the crispy pork sando, tonkatsu sauce, yuzu-kosho mayo and miso cabbage. This Japanese style oven-baked crispy crumbed pork sandwich was a tower of tastiness. This one I DID deconstruct, and eat with a knife and fork, however, this didn’t take away anything from this comfort foods well deserved tag. It’s the type of sandwich you would roll up your sleeves for and just tuck in if you were eating it at home, thanks largely to the crispy pork cutlet and creamy yuzu-kosho mayo.

Shark Bay prawn brioche roll, avocado, sesame cream, nori, fish roe

Crispy pork sando, tonkatsu sauce, yuzu-kosho mayo, miso cabbage

The all-important desserts kicked off with a pot of peppermint Seven Seas Tea to accompany the lovingly wrapped in a white napkin, warm buttermilk scone with whipped vanilla cream and house-made strawberry jam. The smaller size didn’t matter, in fact it was welcomed as I still had four desserts ahead of me. Being a fan or “sconneseur” of this afternoon tea classic I was excited going in and I was so impressed by not only the fluffy centre and crusty outside of the scone itself but also the cream and jam, perfection! Housed next to the scone was a lemon aspen madeleine. The small light French citrus cake was the perfect chaser to the buttery scone.

It was then time for the rhubarb and strawberry petit gateâu, yuzu ganache, finger lime which was both bursting with fruity flavours (with a hint of tang) and refreshingly light. The Davidson plum (sour plum) and coconut lamington followed and certainly didn’t disappoint, taking out dessert of the day. I loved the twist on this Aussie classic in using plums as the main condiment rather than your traditional strawberry jam which partnered perfectly with the cream in the centre and on top. The sponge was to die for, never mind the flawless presentation. My last dessert of the day was the pistachio and raspberry mousse which comprised of layers of moreish mousse on a biscuit base.

Buttermilk scone, whipped vanilla cream, strawberry jam – supplied photo

Buttermilk scone, whipped vanilla cream, strawberry jam

This dessert menu was indeed impressive and plentiful with five on offer, however, to take it up another notch this chocoholic would’ve loved, you guessed it, a chocolate offering.

The Signature Afternoon Tea at the Ritz-Carlton, Perth is on Saturday or Sunday at 12pm or 3pm. This menu runs until 28 November 2021 and there are five packages to choose from. Bookings are essential.

It’s a fabulous way to spend a weekend afternoon so go on treat yourself!