It's high time for High Tea in Sydney

Refined tastes of France, Italy, India and old England are part of a modern society where taste and luxury go hand in hand

A room of Victorian history for all ages.

A few years ago drinking tea in Sydney was all about, well, drinking tea. Lamingtons made an appearance every now and then, but they always had a supporting role.
The conversations, the dress code, the flower design on plates -- nothing else mattered. It was about the beverage at that drowsy hour.
Whether it's the English influence or the love for pretty crockery, it’s not just afternoon tea anymore. It’s High Tea. It’s a movement that has given a whole new meaning to a pot of Earl Grey.
From tea enthusiasts to pretentious socialites, this experience is all about high class dining, with a hint of luxury.

High Tea Society founder Michelle Milton, says, “It used to be just about coffee and cake, but the minute you say ‘High Tea’, you imagine a cake stand, you want to dress up and it instantly becomes an event”.

Milton started the website two years ago with the sole purpose to discover Australia’s best High Tea venues, and secretly contest what England had to offer.
“I knew Australia had more to it, someone just had to dig deep into it -- what was once old is new again,” says Milton.
Every age group is embracing this fusion of tradition and modernity from grandmothers (who shouldn’t be consuming all that sugar) to 18-year-olds (who have replaced beer bongs with bergamot-flavoured tea).
At Sydney’s refined and unique High Tea venues, a scone comes with a profound expression.

The Victoria Room

Entering the Victoria Room engulfs one with a sense of historical romanticism. The intimate setting forces you to step back in time into the world of Victorian royalty.
But before booking a table here, it’s highly recommended you brush up your tea-drinking etiquette. You don’t want to mess with ladies swanning in fascinators, silk dresses and Louboutins. These women take it all very seriously.
Particularly popular for hosting High Tea birthday parties for teenagers, this garage-turned-restaurant is reminiscence in disguise.

The Victoria Room, 235 Victoria St., Darlinghurst, +61 (0)2 9357 4488; Saturday noon-5 p.m., Sunday 1 p.m.-5 p.m.; $45 or $65 (with alcohol) per person. www.thevictoriaroom.com

The Tea Room

In one of the city's prestige shopping buildings, The Tea Room is high end.

Among high-end fashion boutiques, where you’re more likely to bump into shopping addicts, this hidden spot on the top level of the Queen Victoria Building (QVB) transcends every stereotype.
It’s acceptable to stumble into The Tea Room with oodles of shopping bags, as long as you’re prepared to have an intellectual conversation in its vicinity.
High ceilings with intricate stonework, huge sink-in chairs and no background music makes this a one-of-a-kind High Tea experience, which expects you to know your teas and appreciate gluten-free puff pastry.
They take pride in their vintage cutlery, and even the roughened edges of sugar cubes look like works of art.

The Tea Room, QVB, Level 3, North End, 455 George St., +61 (0)2 9283 7279; Monday-Friday 11 a.m.–midnight, weekends 10 a.m.–midnight; $30 or $61 (with alcohol) per person. www.thetearoom.com.au

Shangri-La

A five-star journey into the land of chocolate at the Shangri-La.

Having a tea party at a five-star hotel doesn’t sound too enthralling (or unique), but Shangri-La knows how to break the rules.
Their Chocolate High Tea is not for a faint-hearted. Brace yourself for an intense experience of being served 11 sinful and decadent desserts that will curb all your wicked cravings.
The four-page long tea menu (yes, just for  tea) promises to keep the palette cleansed for a cocoa-enriched encounter.
Traditional cucumber sandwiches and buttered scones are not served: double-layered brownies and hazelnut fondue sticks are the new-age rage.
Just beware of the sugar overdose.

Shangri-La Hotel, 176 Cumberland St., The Rocks, +61 (0)2 9250 6000; $62 (for two) with unlimited tea, coffee and chocolate cocktails, available Saturday and Sunday only, 1 p.m.-5 p.m., www.shangri-la.com 

Patisse

Parisian flavors at Patisse.

Patisseries are often associated with Paris, and Patisse offers some Parisian sophistication.
When executive chef, Vincent Gadan, mastered the art of pastries at Patisse, he knew the next obvious step would be High Tea.
However, this rendezvous -- held only once a month -- revolves around a theme. Embarking with a rose, lavender and violet High Tea, the idea is to celebrate an array of flavours.
There’s still a cake stand, tea pot, cup and saucer, but don’t be surprised if you start sipping a Christmas pudding-flavoured tea, come December.
The upcoming themed High Tea is the "Last Days of Winter" (apple, pear and rhubarb), indigenous Australian flavors, vanilla, and more.

Patisse, Shop G01, PYD Building, 197 Young St., Waterloo, +61 (0)2  9690 0665. Starts July 31 2011, and then the last Sunday of every month, 2 p.m.-4 p.m; $45 per person, www.patisse.com.au

 Aki’s Restaurant

Darjeeling tea and Indian spices at Aki's Restaurant.

Located in Sydney’s premium fine dining location in Woolloomooloo, Aki’s Restaurant hosts the city’s first Indian style High Teas.
Here, the delicately-spiced culinary surprises takes precedence over the actual tea. Cocktail prawns, chicken tikka wrapped in coriander leaves, cottage cheese sandwiches and chocolate naan bread are a subtle reminder of a High Tea with a difference.
All the food is still served on a three-tier cake stand. It’s just taking the concept of tea back to the country where it all started.
And of course, finishing off with a traditional Darjeeling masala tea almost seems like a given.

Aki’s Restaurant, 6 Cowper Wharf Road, Woolloomooloo, +61 (0)2 9332 4600; first Sunday of the month only, 2 p.m.-5 p.m.; $45 per person, www.akisindian.com.au

Manly Pavilion

Next on the menu: Manly Pavilion is ready to give an Italian twist to tea.

Back in 1933, sipping afternoon tea at The Pavilion Tea Room was not special at all. The harbor view was the reason why women chose to host a supper in the Manly Pavilion.
70 years later, the heritage-listed site is heralding the return of the tea party, with a Mediterranean touch.
The Italian High Tea -- beginning next month -- plans to be a posh, lavish affair where you get more than black tea and custard fruit tarts. Biscotti, frittata and perfetta rolls will be on the menu accompanied by a serving of Italian hot chocolate with a creamy, pudding-like consistency.
It plans to remind you why Italians are known for their power of seduction.