Eat Meets West: The Verandah - Repulse Bay

My six months stint as a ‘tai tai’ is drawing to an end as the idea of earning an income once again is becoming increasingly attractive (so much I want to buy but cannot afford!)

For my last month or so as a lady of leisure, I have therefore decided to indulge as much as possible in all the things that I will miss once I become a working girl. Lying in until midday, lying by the pool and walks up The Peak when I'm in Hong Kong; and day time TV, walks in Richmond Park and digging up courgettes and beetroots in my sister’s allotment when I’m in London. One of my favourite pastimes over the past few months has been indulging in afternoon tea with my girlfriends. It’s such an old-fashioned but simply luxurious way to while away an afternoon while catching up on the latest gossip.

Today I went to The Verandah at the still very beautiful and grand ‘old’ Repulse Bay Hotel. Sitting in the elegant colonial dining room with high ceilings and a stunning view of the sea, wooden ceiling fans gently keeping us cool from above . . . one can really imagine what Hong Kong must have been like 50 years ago before it became the crazy high-rise metropolis that it is today.

There were four of us at tea on this occasion, and we opted for the full afternoon tea, consisting of a beautiful triple tiered cake stand filled to the brim with delectable goodies such as mini cakes and tarts, mango mousse, quiche and waffles, as well as the usual suspects of finger sandwiches and scones. As is usually the case with these things, some elements of the tea were better than others - the scones for instance were a little dry for my liking. Overall though, it was a pretty good spread, and what made it especially enjoyable was the lovely calm South Side atmosphere and the fantastic company of my partners in (tai tai) crime.

The bill came to $175 per head for the afternoon tea (add another $100 or so for the champagne version). Afternoon tea is served between 3pm – 5:30pm. Ask for a table next to the window. Please check their website for dress code.