The Best of the High Teas

High tea is one of those things which has come back in vogue in a big way, sort of like the bold shoulder.
Suddenly, they are popping up everywhere in Wellington, sort of like the random pieces of corporate art on the airport corridor! As I have had the privilege of trying a few out, I thought I would share my experience for your benefit.

The first place I visited was Martha's pantry on the bypass/corner of Cuba street.
This place feels like what I wish my Grans kitchen had looked like. NZ circa nineteen fifties. It is as frilly and polka dotted and doilied as any good Nana's collection of aprons.
Its also relaxed, low key, and traditional. Scones and cream, cupcakes, club sandwiches and savouries. Its $20 pp and there is a great range of tea and plenty of treats to go around (about 9 each).
So, its the place you go if want a nostalgic blast from the past. Take your knitting needles, a few friends, and have a good ol stitch'n'bitch.

Next! Finc cafe on Wakefield street. This place has the lovely chic vibe of a European inspired modern cafe/bar. The menu was quite different from that of Martha's. They had an eclectic mix of goodies, like cinnamon donuts covered in maple syrup, chocolate choux pastries, petite venetian clubs and much more. They also provided a vege and gluten free option for members of our group who requested it, and there was more food than we could eat! The basic high tea was $18. Good value for money, especially if you are hungry.

Finally, we have the Hippopotamus High Tea at the Museum Hotel on Cable street. This place is already magnificent, but the High Tea was special!
It was $25, which is a little more than the others, but it was well and truly worth it. From the moment you come in you are treated to top notch service (they have really french waiters which is always fun).
They use lovely linen and you are seated at a formal dining table in the restaurant.
There are a selection of nine impeccably presented treats, which are a little fancier than scones and jam (although they are on the menu too). We had a flute of passion fruit panna cotta, lemon friand, onion tartlets, and much more.
In terms of overall effect, the Museum Hotel's High Tea was far superior. I felt like Marie Antoinette, its definitely a real treat.

All of these places offered a boozier high tea option for a little more cash, and the Museum Hotel had a luxury option which did look lovely, although I don't know whether I could fit much more in than what they were offering.

The nature of rich, small treats is that they are deceptively filling and intensely satisfying. The only thing I am ever truly successful at in the hours following High Tea is sleeping.