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Avid tea lovers who enjoy unwinding on a plush couch with a hot cuppa in one hand and a savoury sandwich or sweet treat in the other do not have to travel far for an authentic British-style afternoon as the Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain has captured the experience to a tee.
The five-star hotel’s Lobby Lounge has become a popular destination for families and friends to indulge in an assortment of top quality teas from around the world whilst nibbling on classics such as cucumber sandwiches and scones with marmalade and clotted cream.
And how could it not with its comfy sofas which beckon diners in and its classical music trio which serenades guests while they relish in a spot of tea and bites from 5.30pm until 10.30pm on weekdays and a pianist that tickles the keys on Friday and Saturday from 3pm until 5.30pm.
There is something for everyone to enjoy every month with a different themed afternoon tea that revolves around the hotel’s activities.
This month it’s the season to be jolly and that’s exactly what Andrea Colla, the Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain’s executive assistant manager – food & beverage, and Executive Pastry Chef Jonathon Challenor have in store for diners.
“Having worked five years in the UK in two of the best afternoon tea hotels in London, The Ritz and The Savoy, I truly appreciate afternoon tea,” said Andrea. “Reservations for it was two months in advance, otherwise you couldn’t get a table, and the price of an afternoon tea in London is like indulging in a Michelin star meal but the experience is truly worth it.
“For our Jolly Tea Time we wanted to make it as English as possible. Having a pastry chef from Great Britain is also ideal and gives us a chance to fully focus on providing that experience.
“We made it very traditional with everything made in house such as the preservatives. Of course the menu is a little bit revised for example with an open faced smoked salmon sandwich and the cakes also include classics and some other sweets. Of course to make it really authentic we added something I miss a lot that you can’t find everywhere and that is the clotted cream.”
Andrea also wanted to offer all expatriates celebrating the festive season in the kingdom a taste of home by adding cakes such as the panettone sweet bread loaf from Italy, the German stollen (a cake-like fruit bread full of nuts, spices and dried or candied fruit) and of course UK’s classical mince pie.
“I want to bring different cultures and nations to the afternoon Jolly Tea,” added Andrea. “As an Italian, I would love to find a slice of panettone somewhere.
“I simply want family and friends to fully experience the season enjoying the food and the tea under our grand ginger bread house and surrounded by the beautiful festive decoration.”
Christmas is the favourite time of the year for husband Sam and I, combine that with my love for tea drinking and you have yourself a recipe for success.
From the moment we stepped foot in the luxury hotel we were taken on a winter wonderland. Gold and silver decorative trees, ribbons and baubles adorned the reception area along with sparkly twinkling lights enhancing that festive feel.
The Christmas spirit spilled over onto the Lobby Lounge where the majestic gingerbread house was the highlight along with its snowmen and snowy exterior. The table was set up in such a delightful and merry manner that it would make Santa Claus proud. Tiny green trees and glittering reindeer figurines were placed around the pastel green and white tableware. Napkins were folded into Christmas trees to enhance the experience. The highlight of the table that had Sam and I salivating was the three-tier stand featuring a plate of scones, another boasting desserts and last but not least the sandwiches.
A lovely server presented a box of tiny tea leaf containers to choose our aromatic beverage to accompany the tasty bites.
I opted for the tea passion de fleurs which combines the delicacy of white tea with the subtle fragrance of rose, apricot and passion fruit which was delightful while Sam enjoyed a caramel cappuccino.
Before diving into the savouries, we tucked into an assortment of gingerbread, plum and cinnamon scones with the clotted cream and yummy berry compote. It was fluffy and moist to the last bite. Next up were the sandwiches which included a roast beef with a horse radish mayo, a classic cucumber and cream cheese sandwich, an egg mayo, an open smoked salmon and a turkey and cranberry sandwich. Salmon is always a favourite of ours but what truly blew us away was the turkey and the egg mayo. When the sandwich plate was done we handed it over to our friendly server for a refill, which Andrea said is part of the true tea time experience.
The cakes were also a hit with egg custard nutmeg, Battenberg cake, a warm rhubarb and strawberry crumble with custard, a chocolate cream cake and a Bakewell tartlet.
As if the cakes weren’t enough, Chef Jonathon’s famous cheesecake which has attracted diners in from across the region was also brought to the table and left Sam and I in a welcomed sugar-induced coma.
The experience was elevated when the beautiful female trio played on as the lights dimmed and the Christmas tree began to shine brightly.
The Jolly Tea Time will run until the end of December from 3pm to 7pm but can accommodate diners from noon if requested and it is priced at BD21++ per person. There is also an a la carte menu available. There is also an Afternoon Tea Time at the Ritz Gourmet Lounge inclusive of sparkling grape priced at BD35++.
For details, contact The Ritz-Carlton Bahrain on 17580000.
