The Tea Room : High Tea at the Queen Victoria Building

Between work and family outings I have walked through the Queen Victoria Building thousands of times. I almost always wistfully gaze around the beautiful structure and promise myself that ‘one day’ I will attend High Tea in The Tea Room – www.thetearoom.com.au.  One day.

During the  last school holidays, T and I took a trip into the CBD to run a few errands sans kids. As we headed towards Town Hall Station he squeezed by hand and asked if I wanted to try ‘that tea place up on the top level’. I think I squealed a little before looking down at my casual attire and declaring that I wasn’t really dressed for High Tea.

T  ignored me and pulled me towards the elevator and before I could really process what we were doing we were headed up to The Tea Room. I was lost for words, awash with excitement although it did feel a little surreal. We read the menu that is available for viewing as soon as you exit the elevator and decided we would just have tea and a light dessert.

I was a little mortified to realise our faux pas on telling the hostess we were thinking we would pop in for tea and cake when she suggested the ‘sister cafe’ a floor down might be more our style. T calmly told her that we would have High Tea for two thank you.

We were seated at the far end of the Tea Room with a view out to George Street. For a moment I wondered how they stopped pigeons roosting on the window before our waiter arrived and provided our menus. Oh the delights it listed! The Tea Room Afternoon Tea can be viewed here where you will find around 30 different teas. We chose the Oriental High Tea as very thought of dumplings was too much to resist.

Green tea is my preference for the tea pot. I chose the Japanese Heaven and Earth which is a blend of tart Sencha, sweet strawberry and hints of kiwi fruit. It was perfect especially when served in Royal Doulton tea cups. T chose the a dark tea with cream which he adored but which I baulked at despite its gorgeous tea cup.

Our food was fabulous. Our savoury dishes consisted of an assortment of finger sandwiches (these can be refilled if you still feel hungry when you finish), peking duck pancakes, scallop and ginger dumplings,  shitake mushroom and chicken pastry, crab, coriander and lime cone and parmesan shortbread with avocado, tomato and white anchovy. Along with scones with jam and clotted cream, our sweets included layered chocolate cake, Quong tart and my absolute favourite….. lychee and lime macaroon. I was so full!

The Tea Room really did meet my expectations. The ambience, the service and the food all worked together to make the experience truly wonderful. Now, whenever I walk through the Queen Victoria Building I become nostalgic for High Tea!

The Tea Room High Tea starts at $32.00 per person and is served Monday to Sunday from 10.00 am. It is located in the former Ballroom of the Queen Victoria Building.