The lavish four-course degustation high tea held at the Intercontinental in Melbourne offers the taste of luxury to all guests who are inspired for a high-class afternoon. The two-hour high tea party welcomes mothers, daughters, friends, and general epicures for champagne cocktails, light mains, freshly baked scones, and an exquisite offering of desserts. We have outlined the history behind this unique high tea, a description of the full menu, as well as mention some of the biggest reviews found on their website and review blogs:
The Clarke Sisters’ High Tea Party is based on real-life sisters, Miss Emma and Margaret Clarke, and their time spent in the Rialto building drinking tea and sharing stories in the 1800s.
On the history section of the Intercontinental High Tea page, it reads:
“Miss Emma Clarke married Patrick McCaughan who commissioned the original Rialto building, which is now known as the west wing of the hotel. After Miss Emma’s untimely passing, the undeterred Patrick went on to marry her sister, Miss Margaret Clarke.”
It then continues on about how Miss Margaret’s daughter carried on hosting high teas and maintaining the tradition. And here we have The Clarke Sisters’ High Tea Party.
The first course offers a deconstructed cocktail – or if you like, free-flowing champagne – complemented by an assortment of hors d’oeuvres. With the modern recreation on the classic high tea sandwiches, The Clarke Sisters’ High Tea boasts creativity influenced by a contemporary flair. The first course consists of cucumber sandwiches, salmon and cream cheese bagels, duck liver pate, and more.
For the second course, the main dishes represent a consistently high standard to follow the first course appropriately. The two dishes on offer are the lamb chop with truffle mash, pea puree and red wine jus, and the King oyster mushroom tart with pumpkin pulse. Both of these delectable dishes are just as enticing as the deconstructed champagne cocktail and gourmet canapes.
You cannot forget the most essential part of a high tea – the warm scones and the array of unique herbal teas. The calibre of scones and tea dates back to 19th-century England where the ‘afternoon tea’ was born and created for high society. For the third course, you can devour simple buttermilk scones and fruit scones paired with jams, butter, and cream.
To bring it up a notch is the final course: a collection of irresistible desserts. Just to name a few, there is the lemon tarts, white chocolate cheesecake, and Vue de Monde lamingtons. Each of these desserts is created by local partners including Le Petit Gateau; a dessert parlour in Melbourne’s CBD that is renowned for their tempting french cakes and pastries.
You can read more about the menu here, and see the full group menu for ten guests or more here.
Hannah Foster reviewed The Clarke Sisters’ High Tea on the High Tea Society blog, stating:
“The Clarke Sisters’ Tea Party is at the higher end of high tea offerings in Melbourne, but the substantial, degustation style nature of the high tea, paired with high-quality French champagne and the opportunity to sample desserts from several of Melbourne’s most loved restaurants and patisseries, makes the experience more than worth it for a special occasion or visit to Melbourne.”
Other reviews from blogs and articles that have been chosen to be featured on the Intercontinental website are just as positive as the reviews found everywhere else online.
Joyce from Mel: Hot or Not, stated: “I spent 3 hours luxuriating in champagne cocktails, silver tea stands, warm scones, and a dessert trolley. Needless to say, I LOVE the experience and I’m sure you will too. I loved the theatre of making my own cocktail with the sugar cube, angostura bitters, and cognac…”
Surprise mum this Mother’s Day with the ultimate women’s late lunch served with champagne and equally as delicious banter.
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Intercontinental Melbourne The Rialto
Contact us:1800 593 932
Email us: icmelbourne@ihg.com
495 Collins Street
Melbourne, 3000, Australia
By Claudia Siron