High tea at Soi

Apparently high tea has its origins as a 19th century working class meal where lunch leftovers were used up as a mid-afternoon snack. This type of afternoon tea is a far cry from what has become synonymous with high tea as we know it today, which immediately conjures up delightfully dainty and civilised images.

The beautiful setting of Soi Restaurant by Evans Bay wharf is offering high tea on weekends. A friend and I thought we'd be ladies today and have the 'champagne' high tea, which was served with a glass of Grandin Méthode Traditionelle Brut. With neither of us being tea drinkers, we forewent the selection of 11 teas on offer in favour of coffee (which cost extra). Our table was right next to the floor to ceiling windows and we spent a leisurely couple of hours watching watched the boats go by while enjoying about a dozen tiny treats. The food was average but the view is spectacular!

High tea at Soi

The savoury layer included salmon and chicken club sandwiches, mushroom and salmon mini-savouries, and plain and date scones with cream and berry compote. Moving on to the top, sweet layer, we enjoyed chocolate and strawberry lamingtons with cream, a crème brûlée tart, mini chocolate pavlova and gluten free chocolate cake. Thankfully we also got to pack up over leftovers in doggy boxes to enjoy at home later.

High tea at Soi is a lovely way to spend a winter's afternoon with friends.