A Truly Regal Afternoon Tea at The Bakery
Passionate pastries, daring sweets and oodles of atmosphere
On the grounds of a former royal residence sits The Athenee Hotel, a Luxury Hotel, Bangkok. Located amid the enviably luxe surroundings of Wireless Road, its front-facing bakery is within earshot of the leafy campuses of embassies, and surrounded by green, tree lined streets.
Formerly the residence of Princess Valaya Alongkorn, daughter of Chulalongkorn King Rama V (1853 - 1910), and aunt to the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, tea time doesn’t get much better than this.
The Bakery decor is positively awe inspiring. Teaming with life, the clinking of cutlery and the bubbly chatter of staff and patrons alike, the interior demands attention. It’s not surprising to hear that the hotel won a Five Star Asia Pacific Property Award for ‘Best Interior’, as well as some other notable mentions for sustainability and events.
Spearheaded by the award winning Executive Pastry Chef, Anupong Nualchawee, The Bakery serves up a Royal Afternoon Tea with a twist that is definitely not to be missed. The usual offenders of cloyingly sweet cakes and uninspired savoury snacks give way to some new and unusual takes on much loved classics. Trained in the United States and Thailand, Anupong blends the delicacies and flavours of both worlds beautifully to create some truly daring treats.
Delicately served on silver cake stands, the Royal Afternoon Tea set menu highlights three sweet treats inspired by and made from Royal Project produce: Carrot Cake, Caramel Corn Financier and Beetroot with Passion Fruit Cake.
Besides the signatures, Royal Afternoon Tea includes the likes of red velvet mini cupcakes, chocolate lolippops, chorizo/mustard seed sauce bread rolls and cucumber + quail egg with crab mimosa. Not to mention assorted scones with jam, here creatively enhanced with lemon curd cream and more.
All washed down with lashings of the finest Ronnefeldt teas, ranging from famous Earl Grey and legendary Single Estate Darjeeling to delectable innovations such as Rose with French vanilla and Mediterranean Mandarin.
One by one, you sample your selections and find each bite as enticing as the next. From the carrot cake that packs a flavorful punch, to adorable cactus-shaped beetroot and champagne cake with chocolate mud, to delicate but vibrant mango tart.
The savoury items are just as gratifying, from the cucumber with quail egg to the crab mimosa.
Of course scones maketh afternoon tea and these are beauties. Cup of tea in right hand, well buttered and jammed scone in the other, overlooking lush greenery, you enter a heavenly state of consciousness.
The Bakery’s signature and every changing array of butterfly cookies also take on a life of their own with flavours like: miang kham, a traditional sweet and spicy betel leaf sweet wrap; pad thai, the ubiquitous Thai stir-fried glass noodle dish; and fresh banana.
Evocative, playful, light, crispy, but most importantly moreish to a fault, this take on the oftentimes neglected staple of teatime is an absolute joy. Served in beautifully presented wooden lacquered boxes encircled by delicate paper butterflies, it light-heartedly keeps in line with the garden feel of the venue.
Carried high on a full and satiated stomach, you completely forgot that rush hour traffic is rolling until you step back outside.
Afternoon tea is served from 14 - 17 hrs. at Baht 1,200++ for two persons.
10% savings for Le Club Plaza members on food only.
THE BAKERY Lobby Floor. The Athenee Hotel, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok. Wireless Road. Tel. 02 650 8800 ext. 5137. Email: thebakery.theathenee@luxurycollection.com.