High Tea at The Westin Melbourne

So if you want something a little naughty as well as something nice, perhaps a pre-theatre treat? Then you’ll love the Westin Melbourne.

But make sure you come with a big appetite or you may need a reindeer or two to help you get through the Christmas feast.

Remember waking up on Christmas morning as a child, busting to get into that stocking full of toys? That’s how I felt when our Festive High Tea at The Westin Melbourne arrived at our table delicately displayed on what resembled Santa’s sleigh – a three tiered Art Deco inspired stand.

So much colour and intimate detail – then to be told almost everything on the fancy stand was edible! Yes, even the dark chocolate spoons delicately placed atop the orange and maple brulee. Oh, and those painted white chocolate stocings too! Deciding where to start was my biggest challenge as the kid in me reached for my first treat of the day.

Every bite was like unwrapping a new, whizz bang toy; filling my mouth with so much excitement and vigour, my palate was left feeling more than satisfied. The well-matched and mostly organic ingredients staying true to the Westin’s Philosophy – renew, revitalise and refresh. Super foods as I discovered, feature prominently in these baby-sized treats; most of the health-enhancing morsels are rich in antioxidants and phytonutrients.

I particularly enjoyed the way the sour cranberries balanced out the sweetness of the chocolate and hazelnut Yule log and having never been a fan of fruit mince pies, I was pleasantly surprised when I bit into The Westin’s petit version; the pistachio nuts adding to the rich and succulent flavour of the ripe fruits inside.

Presentation alone was five stars – quite literally! Not only were there edible stars decorating the festive display, each individual bite-size treat had its own character and unique flavour, blending vodka and beetroot cured salmon into a crème friache and cress pinwheel. The tasty yet fashionable ingredients adding a distinctive flare to even the mini bagel, filled with honey-glazed leg ham and apple and walnut compote.

While The Westin prizes itself on adding a modern twist to the traditional High Tea, they certainly don’t do away with the time-old scone. Both the classic plain scone and its cranberry and raison sister frosted in sugar-sweet snow. Who needs to go to the North Pole to experience Christmas?

The mix of High Tea tradition and Christmas cheer was also evident in the peppermint macarons with crushed candy cane turning the sweet delight into so much more. And don’t worry, the chef Daniel James didn’t forget the traditional roast turkey, piping it into a teeny bite-size pies topped with fresh cranberry – definitely one of my favourites!

Sipping my lychee red iced tea I couldn’t help but marvel at the attractive Jing Tea menu. Served in glass tea pots and oversized glass tea-cups you’re invited to watch as your fragrant tea ‘blooms’ in front of you. There’s Vittoria coffee for the caffeine lovers and with unlimited beverages you can drink to your heart’s content as you dine on the mouth-watering delicacies.

What about the atmosphere? While not your traditional gingham tablecloths that make you feel like you just rolled up at Grandma’s, The Westin offers many sitting areas. The Wine Bar, the cellar or maybe you’d like to enjoy your tea at The Westin’s Lazy Jazz Sunday.

Whether it’s a High Tea for two or a large-scale tea for 50, The Westin can cater for all shapes and sizes including Hen’s Parties. If it’s the ‘Festive’ High Tea you’d like, you’ll have to book in before Christmas. Otherwise you’ll be indulged in The Westin’s cyclic menu which changes with the seasons.

So if you want something a little naughty as well as something nice, perhaps a pre-theatre treat? Then you’ll love the Westin Melbourne. But make sure you come with a big appetite or you may need a reindeer or two to help you get through the Christmas feast.