The Peninsula
Add: The Peninsula, 32 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu, near Beijing Dong Lu / 中山东一路32号, 近北京东路
Tel: 2327 6756
Hours: 2:00~6:00pm
Website: www.peninsula.com/Shanghai/en/
Price: 260 RMB/person, 470 RMB/couple + 15%
Visited: Aug 2012
Please note that this was an arranged tasting.
Last week, I had the pleasure of tasting The Peninsula’s newly-launched Heritage Afternoon Tea in the Palace Suite, a luxurious space that features an enormous private terrace, a spacious walk-in closet, cool amenities like humidity setter and nail dryer, etc. But let’s not get carried away – the focus of the event was the afternoon tea, so let’s take a look at that first.
Following the British traditions of afternoon tea, The Peninsula Heritage Afternoon Tea is a meticulous arrangement of cakes, scones, and sandwiches, complemented with a pot of perfectly steeped tea, with live piano performance in the background.
A traditional three-tier affair.
Starting at the very bottom layer, we have savory snacks like London Roll with King Crab and Cress, Organic Egg Salad with Cucumber and Arugula and Warm Sweet Corn Tartlet with Smoked Bacon and Tomato Confit.
On the second layer, warm scones! The Peninsula’s scones are undoubtedly one of the best in Shanghai: buttery, crumbly on the outside but just a little bit fluffy on the inside, and never too dry. Served with homemade strawberry rhubarb jam, imported clotted cream, and zesty lemon curd – heavenly.
The top layer, with some sweet favorites like English Shortbread, Almond Cherry Macaroons and Elderflower Fairy Cakes.
Afterwards, we took a quick tour of the gorgeous and luxuriously-appointed Palace Suite, starting with the bedroom.
Giant walk-in closet.
Bathtub with a view.
An enormous terrace, ideal for outdoor events.
On our way out, each guest was given a small gift bag to take home to. Guess what’s inside?
Scones :)
With lemon curd, clotted cream, and strawberry jam.
For more high tea options in Shanghai, take a look at the Shanghai Afternoon Tea Guide.