Festive Cheers to a Tea
The usual afternoon sluggish feeling is often survived with the help of a good cup of tea, but disappears all the more with a touch of elegance and some edible treats…
Aquintessential English tradition, dating back a few centuries, the luxuriant custom of taking afternoon tea, has been embraced, in one format or another, by grand hotels all over the globe. Not to be confused with high tea, as it so often is, afternoon tea is, historically-speaking, head and shoulders decadently above its lesser cousin, which should be more akin to a regular dinner time.
Afternoon tea at the Siam Kempinski Hotel, in Bangkok, is assuredly a celebratory affair, especially in December, when the parade of goodies on towering silver platters gets a festive makeover — more so this year, with the arrival of the new Executive Pastry Chef, Darren Harding, and the contemporary, artistic take on the traditional serving tower.
The whole hotel lobby and Hanuman Bar, the location for this indulgent afternoon delight, have also received a festive, yet still elegant, touch, and present an idyllic festive backdrop.
Picture the chic setting, complete with a soaring, glittering Christmas tree of golden baubles, stylized gold geometric reindeer and a giant gingerbread cottage, as a pop-up store for festive, hotel-made, takeaway sweet bites. The pianist plays both classical and Christmas music, in the lobby, as you catch-up with friends and family, over a perfectly brewed pot of tea. The choice is made from their extensive selection of Ronnefeldt black, white, green, red and herbal teas, as well as a few luxury local teas, with names like ‘A Perfect Ending’ and ‘Divine Affinity’. Swiftly, an abstractly tiered arrangement, within a circular form, arrives with sweet and savoury treats.
Chef Darren Harding may hail from Australia, but knows a thing or two about afternoon tea. He presents a seemingly traditional set, clearly inspired by classic European recipes, elevated with festive flair. Joining the Siam Kempinski in July this year, Executive Pastry Chef Darren is injecting his own original style into this festive affair. “The month of December is one of the most favourite times for many people, including myself. I personally love Christmas and New Year’s celebrations, as everything is so colourful... Family and friends share a lot of happiness together. And that’s my inspiration — sharing the happiness through colourful homemade delicacies,” he explains.
In degustation size, think spinach bread with smoked salmon, caviar and chive sour cream, duck confit cinnamon apple pie, and a rosemary scone topped with turkey, black olive and onion, as well as roast beef with cranberry sauce on a soft pretzel-type bread roll, for the mouthwatering savouries. Then, imagine freshly-baked scones, plain or with dates and cinnamon, with homemade clotted cream and jam, as well as traditional Christmas stollen, winter cookies, mince pie, eggnog truffle, gingerbread cake, a raspberry macaron with fresh raspberries, a mulled wine berry jelly and whipped cream and more. It is almost a shame to have to ruin the display by tucking in, until you begin eating. The picture-perfect small bites taste as delicious as they look.
From 2 pm to 5 pm throughout December, you can opt for a coffee or tea, including the Christmas special ‘Wintermärchen ’( winter fairy tale ), to accompany the festive fare at Bt950++ per set. Your wait staff will refill your teapot with hot water, if you ask, at no extra charge. Since it is the holiday season after all, why not go all out with a bottle of chilled Champagne too, which is on a special festive promotion? Available throughout the day until late, for Bt4,199++, the Champagne upgrade can be ordered all month long until 1am. The bottle of bubbly comes complete with a chef’s selection of Siam Kempinski chocolates or cheese, which means you can elevate your lounging experience at the hotel any time of day, be it brunch, lunch, afternoon tea or post-dinner.
With or without the bubbles, festive afternoon tea at Siam Kempinski is most certainly not to be missed, to sprinkle a little Christmas spirit onto your day, in a refined way. A stone’s throw from shopping at Siam Paragon and Central World, this is an ideal spot to take a well-deserved timeout from the crowds and slow your pace down to a more relaxed mode.