I was in Sydney one weekend for a friend’s hens night. We were on our way to high tea at The Cortile in the Intercontinental Hotel Sydney. High tea is $60 per person and includes a glass of champagne (or juice if you don’t drink).
The hotel is built around the historic Treasury Building of 1851 and has one of the oldest operating elevators in the southern hemisphere. The small archways along each floor are gorgeous. Tables for the high tea service are scattered across multiple areas and nooks in the main foyer.
A printed menu is provided to each guest with the day’s delicacies centred around Malfroy’s honey made in the Blue Mountains.
High tea is served buffet style with plenty of options to tempt you.
Traditional finger sandwiches and small wraps can be found displayed on one end of the buffet.
I was excited about lifting the lids off of each warm item such as the scones which were huge and delicious. I wanted to go back for a second scone but with so many other things to try, I restrained myself and ate one. The crepes next to the scones looked pretty good too.
Mini creme brulees, macarons, tarts and chocolate waffle balls sit on one side of the middle buffet table.
The honey theme is emphasised with this honeycomb rack allowing guests to taste some very fresh honey.
Plate 1 consisted of the chicken pesto sandwich, smoked salmon and cucumber wrap, mini beef wellington, chocolate and pistachio macarons, and the scone with jam and cream. I found the chicken pesto sandwich a bit salty. Everything else on the plate was delicious. Loved the scone and perfectly made large macarons (I tried every flavour!).
This mini honey milkshake was too cute to pass up. This was the perfect portion for the amount of sweetness in it.
Plate 2 consisted of chicken and leek pie, honey and cardomom creme brulee, a crepe with cream and chocolate sauce, an ‘opera’ slice and macarons. There’s nothing I didn’t like.
I was absolutely stuffed after all of that and was glad for the walk back down George Street. Overall, I had a really good time at The Cortile. There were plenty of treats to choose from and it’s just not physically possible to get through all of them! I loved the live music in the middle of the room which made the afternoon that much more special.
Since I’m not from Sydney, I’m not sure what the average price for high tea is, but I thought $60 was a tad expensive. For a special occasion, you can let staff at The Cortile serve you champagne, tea or coffee, while you head to the buffet to fill up on sweet and savoury treats..however many times you want!
High tea is served between 2.30-5pm.
Foodgasm 7/10
