Sofitel Sydney has partnered with The Art Gallery of NSW to present an art-themed high tea, the Archibald High Tea to coincide with The Archibald Exhibition showing at the Art Gallery of NSW.
Held at Soiree, the hotel’s bar and lounge, the Archibald High Tea is unlike what you would expect. The experience invites you to indulge in painted macarons and enjoy sweet delicacies such as red velvet madeleine and raspberry éclair in an art-inspired setting.
Start with a glass of Champagne Veuve Clicquot as you decide on your choice of tea, be it the delicate and fragrant Imperial China Natural Jasmine Green or the wonderfully smoky Rihena Estate Ceylon Souchong.
The three tiered stand is a piece of art, inviting you to discover the themed artistic-culinary combinations.
Start with the savoury tier and the delightful Smoked Salmon, Lemon Cream Cheese and Lemon Zest and micro radish on a soft brioche – a perfect accompaniment to the glass of champagne. Next on the savoury options is Cucumber, Spinach, Avocado and Alfalfa Sprouts on whole wheat, perhaps a little too healthy preparing you for what’s to come.
The warm Mushroom and Leek Quiche is surprisingly light in texture but not on flavour while the Housemade Scones with Cream and Raspberry Jam are an absolute delight. Open the purple coloured scones and you’ll find specks of colour and flavour waiting to be spread with a layer of cream and jam.
Moving up to the sweet tier, you’ll need a few moments to make your choice. Do you bite into a Raspberry éclair first or the Red Velvet Madeleine that melts in the mouth? The bespectacled Baked Cheesecake beckons as does the bow tie clad Macaron, leaving you with the Cookies ‘’Match Box’’, one match to eat and perhaps one to take home as a memento.
The clever art theme continues in the top tier with a Painted Macaron accompanied with a Chocolate “Paint Brush”. Too pretty to eat? Perhaps save it to the end and sink your teeth into the rich Chocolate Tartlet surrounded by freeze dried Berry Coulis, a good choice for a palate cleanser.
Before you leave, make sure you take a look around the hotel foyer of the Sofitel for a trip down memory lane with reproductions of past Archibald Prize winners.
The Archibald High Tea at Sofitel Sydney runs from Tuesday 18 July until Thursday 31 August 2017 at Soiree lounge and bar, Sofitel Wentworth Sydney. Prices start from $69 per person, inclusive of Tea, and a ticket to the Archibald exhibition. For $79 per person, you get a glass of sparkling and $89 per person includes of a glass of Veuve Clicquot, with both options including a ticket to the Archibald exhibition.
The Archibald exhibition runs from 29 July to 22 Oct 2017 at the Art Gallery of NSW.
Sofitel Wentworth Sydney
61-101 Phillip Street, Sydney
Art Gallery of NSW
Art Gallery Road, The Domain, Sydney
