Christmas Afternoon Tea at the Langham

Frankly, I don't know how an afternoon tea could be simply a between-meal filler, ever. Every time I go to afternoon tea, I almost roll out, groaning with fullness. A little bit here, a little nibble there, add up very quickly. That's part of the charm of an afternoon tea: enjoying morsels of different texture, flavour profiles, all packaged up in dainty, almost-too-pretty-to-eat packages. 

As delightful as afternoon teas generally are, it is not often the case that every single component of an afternoon tea is exquisitely executed. The Langham's afternoon tea manages exactly that: every component of this Christmas themed afternoon tea is beautifully presented, and absolutely delicious. 

From front to back, let's start with the chicken and leek pie topped with onion jam. Served still slightly warm (though it would be just as delicious stone-cold), this is one of the best pies I have had, tiny as it is. The onion jam is on the sweet side, which rather perfectly balances the chicken and leek content. In the middle, as a nod to Australia's tradition of having seafood on Christmas, is a cured Hiramasa kingfish and edamame tart with wasabi aioli. The wasabi kick is very gentle, just enough to tickle the tastebuds without causing watery eyes. At the very back, peeking through, is a caramelised shallot and goats chees etarte tatin topped with watercress. 

The finger sandwiches are quite expected for an afternoon tea, where the Langham shines is in its execution. The bread is fluffy, the ingredients fresh, the flavours balanced. Starting from the front again, we have a double smoked turkey breast, double brie and cranberry mayonnaise sandwich, followed by smoked salmon and watercress with cream cheese sandwich, and finally, a honey roast pumpkin, spinach, walnut, feta and basil pesto sandwich. This last vegetarian number is my favourite amongst the sandwiches because of it gentle, fresh nutty flavour. 

If the savoury tier gently alluded to Christmas, then the sweet treat tier practically shouted a carol from the top of the mountain. 

The wonderfully festive Christmas tree glittering with festivity is a matcha Mont Blanc - particularly loved because it is not overly sweet, it keeps the slightly grassy-bitterness that is so distinctive of matcha. Mr Frosty's smiling visage encases a Valrhona dark chocolate mousse. Its hat is really a small piece of mulled wine poached pear (tastes a little like red licorice) atop a ginger biscuit. The macaron is Christmas pudding with brandy and butterscotch-flavoured. It is extremely well made, slightly chewy in texture. Right in the middle we have a strawberry mascarpone and elderflower trifle, because what is Christmas without a sloppy, alcohol-drenched centerpiece (though admittedly this version did not come with alcohol), and finally, prettily wrapped in pink, an orange and pistachio mousse cake. The combination of these two flavours is rather surprising, but it works! 

And finally, no afternoon tea is complete without fluffy, dense scones served with clotted cream and home made jam. To keep up the Christmas theme, these are cranberry scones, which is rather delightful. 

Apart from a respectable selection of the usual suspects, The Langham also serves iced tea. This is an Earl Grey Collins: earl grey tea is spiced up with lemon, orgeat and topped with club soda. It is refreshing, complex, not very sweet and not mouth-wateringly tart: which is exactly how I like my iced tea. 

The afternoon tea is either served with a Christmas cocktail or champagne - being not much of a sparkling wine person, I have evidently gone with the cocktail. It is essentially a vodka-cranberry with a sugar rim and very light in the kick department: a gentle caress of alcohol only, if you will. 

The Langham may have just overtaken The Fullerton (formerly The Westin) for the top spot in my heart when it comes to afternoon tea. 

Interested in other options? I have also reviewed the afternoon teas at Sir Stamford, The Tea Room at Queen Victoria Building (my very first post on this blog, no less!), Ground of the City and the nightmare that was afternoon tea at the National Gallery of Victoria (still makes me shudder just thinking about it). 

Score: 5/5

Price: $108pp with Christmas cocktail; $123 with a glass of Laurent-Perrier La Cuvee. Alternatively, you could be brave and go for the bottomless Christmas afternoon tea at $137 with regional wine, or $209 with champagne. 

Address: 89-113 Kent St, Millers Point NSW 

Website: https://www.langhamhotels.com/en/the-langham/sydney/dining/afternoon-tea-with-wedgwood/