Simply put: it is a graceful and most memorable journey where the rush comes from pretty delights – pleasant on the eye, the tongue, and even picturesquely through the lens where the majestic Lions Head & Table Mountain are never quite out of frame.
Cape Grace Hotel’s refurbishment ushered in invigorating changes on the front end as well as behind the scenes, and what hotel guests and restaurant & bar visitors can now be exhilarated by is:
- the kind of hospitality that leaves folks returning
- the kind of decor & design that captivates & comforts in person and is (temptingly) bragworthy online
- and the kind of refined dining which leaves a lasting, favourable impression.
Welcome to Afternoon Tea at the Fairmont-Managed Cape Grace Hotel.
R550 per person | R650 per person including Cap Classique (‘bubbly‘)
For those that use the terms ‘Afternoon Tea’ and ‘High Tea’ interchangeably, let us begin by differentiating them, as the teatime design at Cape Grace discerns itself from what’s peddled about lawlessly in the restaurant & cafe world:
Afternoon Teas often have an earlier seating (2 – 4 pm) and tend to veer more towards lightness (cucumber sandwiches, scones, and the like) with one of its more ‘traditional’ and non-British markers being the classic French pear dessert Belle Helene.
High Teas are seated later (around 4 pm) and are more about being a heartier alternative to Afternoon tea (think menus with hot pies, Reuben sandwiches & mutton croquettes), which I cannot fault many for seeking out.
You would also spot time-honoured favourites like Madeleines, chocolate cake & crumpets too though.
What began as a centuries-old, Western, and truly demure experience birthed from European high society ladies wanting to sate their peckishness between Breakfast and Lunch, has evolved into a beloved to-do activity that’s been had everywhere from mountaintops to underwater, and in so many trendy iterations, including gin teas.
“Rosewood London was one of the first hotels to lead the trend, launching their Art Afternoon Tea in 2017.” – Rachel Dube. (2024). Forbes
Cape Grace Hotel forgoes gimmicks for a quintessential Afternoon Tea that’s richly emotive.
THE MENU
Expect the archetypal Cucumber and Cream Cheese finger sandwich with basil, as well as a Salmon Trout bite. However, in keeping with Cape Grace’s commitment to elegantly infusing local flavours into its every corner, savouries from the tea menu range from Coronation Chicken Samoosa with a spicily potent jalapeno atchar you’ll want to buy a jar of, to a Ratatouille Frittata and green olive tapenade best had with a spoon and which makes for a filling, moist transitional morsel great for heat-sensitive palates.
You’d think celery isn’t that much of a stand-out ingredient, but when every Afternoon Tea offering here is made fresh and prepared from a refreshing perspective, it stands out and adds to the dish; in this instance, the perfect lunchtime snack of a Prawn Brioche bun complete with Celeriac Rémoulade – which is basically a french-style coleslaw.
Everything can rise or fall with something as innocuous as a scone where Afternoon Tea is concerned…
Here, the traditional sweet scone is as close to meeting a queen’s approval as ever – good density, golden on the outside, and rather warm and tender on the inside.
The hotel’s take has Wholegrain Mustard, Klein River cheese, and thyme in its recipe, and it will be unlike anything you have ever had before! Regardless of whether you add lashings of cream or jam first to your scone, do not miss out on trying the accompanying Lemon Curd whose tartness just activates a whole more of an aromatic element to the house scone!
And where the trays of whimsical sweeties are concerned, well, I’m so delighted from my experience that I’d rather leave at least some surprise to your own Afternoon Tea – but I will say to leave room for the plentiful Petit Four and the tartlets too.
THE DRINKS
Executive Chef Asher Abramowitz and his tea-time team don’t overwhelm their Afternoon diners with choices.
It’s simple really: All drinks should work in service to the food menu, and with that comes a fair few traditional tea picks, and the kind of razzle that dazzles those wanting fare.
Go on an adventure with teas like Gunpowder Pearls pure green tea, or the Bai Mu Dan pure white tea. My recommendations factor in the chefs’ deft abilities with herbs, spices, and even rooibos, to try the Cape Grace Exclusive as it has more robust flavour than the aforementioned lighter teas.
For the true Brit Afternoon Tea traditionalists, choose the Bergamot Mesquite if you love Earl Grey like I do, or go Bridgerton with a Masala Chai tea.
THE LOOK & FEEL
Leave the languorous reclining to the hotel’s stylish library, because comfortable though the tea seating is, the sheer enjoyment will actually have you leaning forward to enjoy the sumptuous food, drinks, and the luxury yacht-filled Marina.
Illuminating the whole Waterfront experience almost cinematically is natural light that flitters from stark to burnished summer golds, through the large bay windows.
Afternoon Tea is hosted in the hotel’s HEIRLOOM restaurant and keeps to the elegant new look of the hotel. The themes of South Africa’s famed flora, fauna, and outdoors saturate the tableside seating, tea accoutrement, the warm wood sectioning, and even make their way to the elegant crockery and glassware.
There may be a distinct lack of all-around fine bone china, by the way, but the whole afternoon tea journey is no less for it thanks to the 5-star service that’s accommodating and attentive without overwhelming.
The striking centralized bar with its metal finishes is, to me, very reminiscent of New York’s coolest gold-touched watering holes that glitter like a bespoke centrepiece – come daylight or after-dark forays!
This is tastefulness, harmony, and the warm & botanical geometric glamour leaves dressed-up visitors feeling welcome to linger or keep returning.
VERDICT?
A true testament to what happens when tradition is observed and imagination blooms in idyllic symmetry; it results in a wonderous afternoon not soon forgotten and leading to pleased, well-dressed visitors all ready to return the next day.
By My Recommendation:
AFTERNOON TEA AT CAPE GRACE HOTEL
West Quay Road, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town, South Africa
Tel +27 (21) 410 7100 | capegrace.info@fairmont.com
