An afternoon high tea
There is something so indulgent about unwinding mid week in a five star hotel, with fantastic service and beautiful food. I’ve learnt that the best way to recharge your batteries if you have a busy life is to take small breaks for little indulgencies, and afternoon tea at The Langham certainly fits the bill.
We had the option of selecting the champagne or the tea. Due to the need to return to work after our luxury we went with the tea, which then meant we had to select one from a menu displaying a wide variety of Dilmah leaf teas. (I went with the a beautiful Dilmah tea called Jasmine Pear Dragon while my friend selected a English Breakfast tea)
The afternoon tea arrives, and my nutrition plan needs to take a wee holiday- as the food is divine. I love the variety of the selection, all in tiny "almost" guilt free morsels. The bottom layer of the high tea tiered display is melt in the mouth scones with jam and cream is topped by a layer of sandwiches; ham, cucumber, tomato, salmon and egg and cress. These crustless, pop in the mouth bites are then topped with a top plate of sweet nibbles including tarts, ginger cake, mini lamingtons and the cutest strawberries dipped in both white and dark chocolate.
Neither me nor my friend had had lunch, and yet couldn’t finish all the food (hlafway through we were presented with a sticky date pudding which we had no hope in finishing)- though they offered to let us take what remained home - we declined in the interest of our waistlines but it was a lovely thought!
The Langham signature afternoon tea with tea is $30 per person, and with Laurent-Perrier champagne it’s $56. Considering we sat and talked, ate, laughed and unwound for more than two hours in the relaxed atmosphere, it was an excellent way to take a micro break in a busy week. We left recharged and indulged. It’s the perfect place to take a parent or good friend for a pick me up treat and I'm just trying to work out how often I could persuade colleagues to pop there for a "business" meeting as well. Everyone deserves the odd treat now and again after all!
www.auckland-langhamhotels.co.nz