High Coffee at the InterContinental Melbourne

The High Tea Society team visited the InterContinental Melbourne The Rialto for High Coffee – and found a unique take on the classic afternoon tea that meets Melbourne’s love affair with coffee.

From the smiling concierge to the Espresso Martini presented on arrival, our high coffee experience was off to a great start.

High Coffee celebrates the blends from the Espresso di Manfredi roasting house, with a luxurious selection of sweet and savoury delicacies to match. The Espresso Martini was followed by a Café Freddo (iced coffee) with and a choice of coffee or a Café Corretto (espresso with a shot of liqueur).

High coffee comes from newly appointed Executive Chef Liam Nealon and includes Wagyu Beef with Cucumber Relish and Watercress Panini as well as Prosciutto and Asparagus Quiche. Sweet treats such as Vanilla and Raspberry Panna Cotta and Couverture Chocolate and Macadamia Slice come with suggestions of which coffee is the perfect match.

InterContinental Melbourne The Rialto High Coffee Menu

Sandwiches:

• Wagyu beef, cucumber relish and watercress panini
• Roasted chicken and avocado with bush tomato relish roll
• Smoked salmon on rye with mascarpone and lemon myrtle

Warm Afternoon Savouries:

• Homemade beef and burgundy pie
• Prosciutto and green asparagus quiches
• Feta and olive mini muffin
• Cafè Freddo
• Palate Cleanser: Seasonal sorbet
  Scones: Fruit and plain scones served with double cream and home made strawberry jam

Sweets:

• Vanilla and raspberry panna cotta *The Mocha
  
• Couveture chocolate and macadamia nut slice with Chantilly cream *The Espresso
  
• Pistachio macaron *The Macchiato
• Mini pavlova with seasonal fruits *The Flat White

The Signature:

• For extra intensity, try the Cafè Corretto, a shot of perfect Espresso di Manfredi ‘corrected’ with a shot of grappa.

The Roasted chicken and avocado with bush tomato relish roll was my favourite savoury item, while the mini pavlova just melted in my mouth.

If you take High Coffee on the last Friday of the month you’re in for a treat,  as some of Australia’s finest up and coming musicians, and established jazz artists perform in the Market Lane bar from 5pm.

I really enjoyed the High Coffee experience, the setting was intimate, with plenty of distance from the other guests. It’s refreshing to see a five star hotel use cake stands rather than an open buffet.  The menu offered a wide selection and provided good value.