Spring High Tea at The Gallery Sheraton Hyde Park is featuring two of Sydney’s summer faves, Gin and Rosé. We tend to think that “high” tea has something to do with a fancy tall stand to put cake on, we’re wrong. It originated in the 17th century when the Duchess of Bedford Anna Russell complained to her butler of “having that sinking feeling” mid-afternoon. Yes, the 3 o’clock slump wasn’t invented by cup-a-soup but is the age-old mid-arvo energy lull. Naturally the butler solved the problem and as a lady in waiting to Queen Victoria, the Duchess turned the habit into a social event. Didn’t that catch on and hasn’t it come a long way to become the elegant spread Chef Patricia O’Reilly has designed at the Sheraton.
The Gallery is the lobby lounge facing lush Hyde Park. It’s relaxed with a moderate busyness of travellers coming and going. Our hosts are delightful and provide an agenda for how to tackle the tiers. We all secretly love a buffet so don’t be surprised if you get a bit tingly when the smorgasbord of smalls arrive.
Choose from Penfolds blush champagne or rosé or a G&T and begin at the bottom. The cornerstone of high tea is the scone and a good one is really something, choose from choc orange or traditional. If you are a purist, the freshly baked classic scone dressed of course in strawberry jam and cream is light and buttery.
The savoury level features gin cured salmon crostini, wild scampi caviar and a very moorish smoked chicken sandwich with chili chutney. The standout is the teeny rosè cured watermelon duo with rocket, Persian feta, toasted coconut seed crunch, a flavour bomb in a shot glass!
Tea, coffee or hot chocolate are offered as we move to the top floor. The G&T jelly is a lovely palette cleanser before snacking on the pretty petite bites. The chocolate yuzu mousse dome on vanilla biscuit base is memorable, save it for your last bite.
If it’s been a while since you have treated yourself, this is luxe lunching on blush tinted gin and rosè infused treats.
The Gallery, Sheraton Grand Hyde Park , Ground level, 161 Elizabeth Street, Sydney
Hours: Daily from 11.30am to 2.30pm until the end of Spring.
