Gone are the days of dry cucumber sandwiches and sub-par teabags. Thanks to the Lacuna Bistro at the Maslow Sandton, the age-old tradition of high tea has been lifted to new, erm, heights. With a dash of colour and a splash of vigour, the Maslow high tea features a tea and bite-sized food pairing that will excite more than your Instagram profile.
New Delights
With one of the best cooks in the country at the helm of this operation, patrons are in for a treat. Executive Chef, Justin Jonah, has designed the Maslow high tea experience to coincide with the bistro's new menu. This recreation has been in development for 12 months and will be available from August 2018. “We are inspired by the burgeoning diversity of locally produced, speciality teas and how their flavours and aromas can enhance those of food," says Jonah. "Tea and cake has been done for years, but now, with the ever-widening choice of teas, we can really explore how they can be paired to enhance the experience of taking afternoon tea.”
In the comfort of enveloping arm chairs, overlooking the hotel’s exquisite oasis garden, guests can now enjoy a sumptuous selection gorgeous treats, paired with some of the most perfect teas available in the country.
The Pairings
Course one features vanilla bean scones with cape fig jam; cucumber and cottage cheese knots; caramelised tomato and onion quiche; and strawberry frangipani complemented by Rooibos vanilla tea. Lemon meringue tartlets; salmon and lemon aioli on brioche; egg mayo and watercress; and decadent choux, paired with lemon tea comprise course two. Hungry yet? We're just getting started. The third stage is a meander of textures, with green-tea mousse and mango salsa; orange and almond cake; bitter chocolate tartlets with Turkish delight; and sushi. The tea chosen to enhance these tastes is Green Tea Morgentau. The fourth offering has a decidedly South African feel, with traditional treats like curried mince vetkoek, and koeksisters paired with carefully brewed black tea. The fifth and final course provides a colourful and vibrant conclusion to the Pairing High Tea experience. Sweet berries tea is fittingly paired with cheerful desserts like red velvet opera, berry tartlets, rainbow cake and chocolate friandises. The Maslow’s Pairing High Tea is defined by its luxuriousness and exclusivity – and the Maslow’s characteristic contemporary personality. “This is a proper afternoon tea in every sense. We have redefined this age-old custom for today’s discerning afternoon tea enthusiast to combine the essences of then and now for the ultimate experience,” says Jonah.
The Maslow’s Pairing High Tea is served every Saturday between 08:00 and 17:00. The cost per adult is R320 and R160 for kids under 12. To book, contact Lacuna Bistro: [email protected] or 010 226 4652
