During our latest go to to Penang, we determined to suss out the afternoon tea units on the resorts we stayed. We additionally complimented these visits with different distinguished excessive teas in Penang. This time, we visited 3+1 venues (you’ll discover out why we stated “+1” in a bit) and this put up is solely the end result of those visits.
But first, a glance again in time on how afternoon excessive teas took place.
The Origins of Afternoon Tea
It was stated that Anna, the seventh Duchess of Bedford began the afternoon tea as a strategy to fulfill these mid-afternoon starvation pangs within the 1840s. As dinners can begin late at about 8pm within the evenings, Anna would complain of “having that sinking feeling” within the late afternoons. Hence, within the late afternoons, she would ask for a tray of tea, bread and butter to assist her by way of the afternoon until time for supper.
Coincidentally, “sandwiches” had already been created by the 4th Earl of Sandwich – John Montagu within the mid-1700s. Hence, Anna modified the sandwich to be small, bite-sized snacks for the afternoons. Soon, this turned a behavior for Anna and she or he would invite her associates over for these gatherings the place women would have tea indoors and nibble on petite-sized snacks. Dressed for afternoon teas then turned a vogue assertion among the many wealthy and influential households.
Today, afternoon excessive tea has advanced to intensive meals and even buffets in some instances. But true afternoon tea units would nonetheless adhere to having conventional bite-sized canapes for decerning clientele of at the moment.
Afternoon High Tea in Penang – DoubleTree Resort Hilton Penang
Priced at 68RM ($22SGD), the set contains canapes reminiscent of smoked duck cheese croissant, tuna puff, smoked salmon canape and apple puff. To be sincere, the style for this afternoon tea set at DoubleTree Resort Hilton Penang was nothing to shout about. Our favorite was in all probability the contemporary cream canape and macaron which was nutty candy and salty. As for drinks, we had the chamomile tea which was refillable. As the afternoon tea set is served within the foyer of DoubleTree Resort Hilton Penang, there isn’t a air con right here. However, when you select your seats correctly, you’ll be rewarded with sea views, the place you’ll have the ability to get pleasure from a pleasant leisurely afternoon tea away from the hustle and bustle of town.
Afternoon High Tea in Penang – Prestige Hotel Penang
Priced at 78RM for two pax ($23 SGD), the afternoon tea set is served on the Glasshouse – a complicated in-house restaurant of Prestige Hotel Penang the place breakfast is served each day. Again, nothing to shout about when it comes to style. In truth, there have been a number of gadgets which we discovered to be fairly dry. But what we actually beloved was the presentation of the whole afternoon tea set. There had been matching cups, teapot and plates on the tiered presentation – gold line cups with matching inexperienced colors. Definitely price a photograph shot. However, when you’re in search of greater than an awesome venue and presentation of a 3-tier afternoon tea set, we’d say that the afternoon tea set right here could be a miss.
Afternoon High Tea in Penang – David Brown’s Hilltop Garden Restaurant Penang Hill
Priced at RM118++ ($40SGD), the afternoon tea at David Brown’s Hilltop Garden Restaurant atop Penang Hill was in all probability the very best afternoon tea set that we loved throughout this journey. In phrases of style, the bite-sized canapes hit the proper spot for a lot of the gadgets. We significantly loved the crab canape, scones (which had been heat and served with contemporary, not-so-sweet cream) in addition to the puffs that had been topped with gold flakes – decadent stuff. However, the primary draw of eating right here is the atmosphere of the gardens. Nestled inside a sanctuary atop the long-lasting Penang Hill, you would actually hear the birds chirping and the cool air of 24 levels atop Penang Hill made the expertise a lot extra stress-free and satisfying.
Afternoon High Tea in Penang – Top View Restaurant Penang
We additionally needed to check out the afternoon tea set at Top View Restaurant Penang – situated on the 68th flooring of The Top Penang. However, we made a boo-boo and didn’t make a reservation, hopping that it could be nonetheless served once we arrived. Unfortunately, this was to not be. Hence, we had been solely in a position to present from the photograph above, what it could be prefer to get pleasure from a day tea at Top View Restaurant whereas overlooking George Town Penang. If you’re desiring to check out the afternoon tea set right here, don’t neglect to make a reservation. If you’ve gotten tried out the afternoon tea set at Top View Restaurant, do allow us to and our readers know extra within the feedback part under!
Afternoon High Tea in Penang – E&O Hotel Penang
At the ticketing counter of The Top Penang, we discovered that we weren’t in a position to have the afternoon tea set at Top View Restaurant. Hence, we had been really helpful to go over to Eastern & Oriental (E&O) Hotel Penang to check out their excessive tea. However, we determined to nonetheless ascend The Top Penang since we had been already there and missed an expertise at E&O Hotel. However, we did flick thru the afternoon tea set of E&O Hotel and located it to be priced at RM176 (or $54SGD) for two pax. Being the costliest of the lot, we expect it will likely be an expertise in and of itself. If you’ve gotten tried the afternoon tea set right here, do tell us extra within the feedback part under as nicely!
How do they stack up towards the afternoon teas in Singapore?
There are two predominant variations that we observed between the afternoon tea units in Penang vis-a-vis in Singapore.
Firstly, when it comes to style, Singapore afternoon excessive teas are positively a lot better. We’d strongly suggest the scones at Fullerton Hotel – not like every other scones that we’ve tried wherever. Warm, crumbly on the surface but barely chewy on the within. Clotted cream is all the time contemporary and it’s such a delight to have these mixture with just a little butter and jam collectively. Yum!????
Secondly, there appears to all the time be a “buffet” component to afternoon excessive teas in Singapore. Either there will probably be a semi-buffet on the facet or having canapes which can be refillable, you’ll go away afternoon teas in Singapore feeling stuffed to the brim.
Of course, costs are costlier at about 2 to three occasions that of what we had in Penang.
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Nonetheless, we discovered that it was a superb afternoon tea expertise at Penang Hill’s David Brown Hilltop Garden Restaurant the place you’ll have the ability to get pleasure from nature up shut whereas sipping and nibbling away leisurely in a sanctuary away from town. Reminded us nearly of the afternoon tea expertise at Taj Rambagh Palace in Jaipur – that, is one other expertise to inform…