Afternoon Tea At Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi
It probably won't surprise you to know (considering I'm from England) that I love going for afternoon tea. Everything about it from the fluffy scones with jam and clotted cream (which do you spread on first?) to the endless tea options, means it is undoubtedly a favourite with us Brits. Now that I live in Dubai I haven't let it stop me enjoying a spot of tea and cake, therefore when I heard about the Royal Afternoon Tea at Emirates Palace with its gold leaf cappuccino and deconstructed lemon meringue tart I had to make the trip.
As soon as you enter the gates to the Emirates Palace and drive up the grandiose approach you feel like royalty with the beautifully trimmed topiary and cascading fountains capturing your attention as you pass. Then once you get inside, the luxury continues with lavishly extravagant ceilings, most notably the magnificent domed roof that you pass under whilst walking to the lounge.
Once seated, you can choose your drink, peruse the menu that is personalised with your name and settle in to wait for what you know will be a wonderful spread.
The sandwiches were delicious, with the 24K gold-dusted, home-cured smoked salmon on pumpernickel being a standout favourite. These were accompanied by freshly baked scones (plain, apricot and pistachio) with raspberry rose and passionfruit jams and orange marmalade. Plus we were spoilt for choice with sweet treats that couldn't be listed in full for fear of falling into a sugar coma just from reading it.
With a classical trio playing beautifully in the background and the perfectly attentive wait staff anticipating your empty glass the whole experience definitely lived up to my high expectations.
If you get the opportunity to go to Emirates Palace for afternoon tea or otherwise, you must take it. At AED 320 for two people (excluding champagne), it is not the most expensive affair and everyone deserves a little luxury from time to time.
"Collect moments, not things." - April Peerless
All opinions on this blog are my own.
