Located on Cuscaden road in the heart of Singapore, high tea at the Regent Tea Lounge is served Mondays to Fridays with the weekend boasting a high tea buffet. Arrive around midday to walk down fine carpet rolled upon sparkling marble floors and head through shining glass doors, where a smiling concierge will already have you feeling like royalty. Pass through the foyer and you will gaze up at a magnificent atrium in awe, making your way to the Regent Hotel's luxurious High Tea Lounge.
Singapore has generally come to refer to weekend high tea as what a continental food buffet is referred to, however the Regent Hotel proudly present a three-tier English tradition version on weekdays. Giving diners a feel of sipping back in time to a classical era where high tea wasn't high tea without an elegant teapot, scones, jam and a three-tier stand full of tasty delights. Surroundings of antique colonial elegance help set the scene for you, with a décor of royal red hughes and golden browns encompassing decadent lounges. A pianist plays classical tunes from 1pm as a large fountain gushes in the distance, creating peaceful ambience. The British-colonial themed walls are adorned with Old-English books and Chinese antique pottery. A wall-to-ceiling window lets light seep in through Singapore's lush greenery, in a room laced with luxurious lounges of varying shapes and sizes. Your elegant table setting shows serviettes of a fine floral rouge material, with delightful crockery hinting the decadence about to appear. Servers dressed in classical Malay outfits made of Vietnamese silk with Chinese patterning, present a well-endowed tea menu.
Deciding which tea to try first is difficult - they all sound incredible. I recommend the refreshing Mint Tea or the China Rose Tea, (my fave) which tastes excellently like the aroma of red rose petals. Upon tea selection, your magnificent display of treats is presented - Arrive on an empty stomach because each serving is a whole three tier per person.
Try the warm signature scone with jams, cream and divine lemon curd. This scone is known about town. Indeed it was perfect, however my fave scone was the apple cinnamon, with a soft texture and warm temperature so perfectly presented it could melt in your mouth.
The middle tier is full of tasty savouries; and you can't bypass the cheese twist. The bottom tier is a colourful variety of desserts. I was lucky enough to meet pastry chef Phillipe, who chatted about the detailed care that goes into each dessert, such as the timing and whipping techniques expertly found in cheese mousse. Phillipe encouraged me to sample the last three desserts I didn't think I had belly room for - and how glad I am to have experienced that taste sensation, my suggestion - if you are full - just do it!
The indulgence didn't end there, a plate of delicate and crustless finger sandwiches is also in front of you, and not to be missed is the cucumber sandwich. Plus the whole tier is free flowing, like the tea!.. One more apple cinnamon scone? Oh why not.
I recommend High Tea at the Regent Tea lounge in Singapore to anyone who wants to over indulge in a timeless tradition of luxurious food delights. Thankfully the Regent tea lounge provides comfy sofas - handy to have a nap on after you gorge in too many delicacies!