The Tea Lounge at the Regent Hotel is clearly one of the most ideal venues to enjoy a session of afternoon tea; that is why I have failed in many of my previous attempts to make reservations for their weekend buffet and having been told that the next available date is one or two months later. For a long time it has been known to be really popular with the locals and foreign expatriates, it was of course fully occupied for the dining establishment when I was there with my few friends.
The Tea Lounge occupies a considerable area of the hotel lobby. Providing for an ambience of both grandeur and cosiness, the setting is decorated with wooden and marbled furnishings and cushioned seats. The chandelier lights, spotlights and standing lamps cause the venue to be bathed in a warm orange glow, enhancing the relaxed feeling one enjoys at The Tea Lounge.
A decent spread of salads and vegetables to whet one’s appetite, I noted that the round table was very well patronised by the fairer sex (the others went straight for the meat and carbs). A selection of commonly found house dressings and sauces were available to accompany the Japanese Cucumber and Carrot Sticks and along with many others. More interestingly, the health conscious might take solace in the different readily- made salads, such as the Tabouleh Salad, Hummus and Baba Ganoush (with chopped Artichoke and fresh prawns, in case you were wondering).
To some, a hi- tea is never completely fulfilling with a fine assortment of Cheese and The Tea Lounge recognises that. During my visit, the selection comprised the Mahon Dop Semicurado, Romero Small Wheel, the Torta Del Casar, Tetilla Dop, the San Simon Da Costa Dop and the Manchego Dop Curado; all from Spain. Varying accompaniments are available as well- bread, crackers, apricots, prunes and so on. The Pork and Truffle Pate and Duck Rilette With Melba Toast were more of the exquisite and refined spreads not found just anywhere. I preferred the latter as I liked how the essence of truffles was infused so distinctively and it was more smooth texture- wise. These two spreads go along with the crackers very well indeed.
The Smoked Salmon and Smoked Duck, both commonly found appetizers in most buffets, vanished from the serving plates rather quickly. The Avruga Caviar, the three different kinds in their respective alluring hues were quite a hit with the crowd too. With their salty goodness, these would surely be able to add some excitement to any spreads on crackers and biscuits.
I must say I was impressed with the small variety of sandwiches available, all that had a certain home- made feel to them and with different kinds of breads used. The Smoked Chicken and Cranberry Foccacia bore that sweet savoury element that worked somewhat perfectly while the Artichokes and Smoked Duck Panini sandwiches were full of flavour and complexity. I liked the Pistachio Tuna and Saffron Mayo the most- the ingredients were well thought out and the mayo helped to balance the flavours. The idea behind the Egg and Cucumber Mimosa in White Bread is not exactly novel but did bring about nostalgia since these used to be rather commonly found in the picnic basket. The name behind the Lobster and Broccoli Cream Cheese Mousse Tart might scare off some but when I placed most of it in my mouth, I tasted more of the cream cheese and a tinge of that of the lobster- from the meat, I presume.
Being a huge fan of the favourite afternoon pastry, I have nothing but praise for The Tea Lounge’s Red Currant Scones and Traditional Plain Scones, not forgetting the (exaggeratedly) extensive array of jams available. Dense and heavy, baked with buttery goodness, I had the scones together with a few spreads- Peach Preserve, Chestnut Spread, Cherry Preserve and Forest Berries Preserve. Many other choices are made available and of course, there are the Clotted Cream and Traditional Lemon Curd too.
I have always been rather wary of the deep- fried selection that most buffets offer, but to be honest, most of the items of the range here at The Tea Lounge are surprisingly delectable. My friends and I were rather fond of the Deep- fried Soft Shell Crab with Chicken Floss– when had all together, not only did I enjoy the complimentary flavours but the differing textures of the crispy batter, the crustacean meat and the floss. The Crabmeat Cake was lightly greasy while the slightly crisp skin provided a textural contrast to the chewy, moist meat filling hidden within. The Grilled Satay was deliciously chewy and its accompanying sauce had a savoury sweet- spicy kick to it. I must say that I liked the Prawn Otah- Otah the most, it boasted all the right elements, conveying a balance of sweet, salty and spicy notes while faring just as fine in the textural department. Furthermore, it featured crunchy fresh prawns, enhancing the gastronomical pleasure it provides.
Prepared ala- minute, the Nyonya Laksa boasted a richly savoury profile. The thick gravy was distinctly aromatic and just mildly fiery for one’s liking while the noodles were cooked till al dente perfection. The culinary team was generous with the servings and the ingredients were all of fine quality.
I was able to enjoy the meaty juiciness of the Roasted Duck on my palate as I chewed on it. I opted for a small slice from the humongous Roast Leg of Lamb at the Carved Meats station, it turned out the way most would like it- the gamey taste was absent while the meat was tender. An absolute must-have, I was bowled over by the Salmon Confit. A show- stopping number for me, the smooth and adequately soft texture of the fish was soul- satisfying, and it was full of the meat’s complex flavours with enough acidity from the confit to cut through the richness of the fish.
One of The Tea Lounge’s signature offerings would certainly be its variety of pies and puffs; they were what I had first laid my eyes on the moment I was ushered to my table. All of them were executed well but I was most impressed by the Turkey Ham and Mushroom Quiche that I had to help myself to three or four servings of it. Its pastry casing was executed well and did not crumble too easily while the main highlight of the quiche was really palatable, the delightful fragrance of custard came at the back of every mouthful. Both the Satay Puff and and Chicken Curry Pie had a hint of nice heat, the pastry itself was light and pillowy (and so were all the other pies and puffs). The Beef and Caramelised Pearl Onion Pot Pie, while petite in its miniature cup, was packed and sealed with goodness. The Chicken Sausage Roll Cipollata fared decently too.
Another highlight of the hi- tea buffet at The Tea Lounge would be the station that offers Belgian Waffles and Crepes prepared ala- minute. An assortment of accompaniments such as almond flakes, blackberries, strawberries and caramelised bananas and sauces- caramel, peanut butter, vanilla and chocolate are for me, the must- haves to have along these two signature items.
Chocolate and marshmallows are a pairing that can hardly ever go wrong, a treat for both the young and old to take pleasure in. The Chocolate Fondue was done well while the Marshmallows, especially the candied ones were really popular with the kids.
The Torta Cafe made an impression with its crust and the chocolate- dusted light cream. The flavours in the Mimosa Cake are slightly gentler, not being exactly too rich nor light. The Chocolate Fudge Cake, a decadently rich one indeed, should be able to quell any chocoholic’s cravings.
The first bite off a slice of Cassata Cake made me pause, there was a certain familiar hint of spices that has always fascinated me. I had personally found it to be one of the more exciting cakes offered from the selection. Those with a sweet tooth should be able to find the Raspberry Cake enjoyable with the medley of sweet and tangy notes it provides.
Simple yet moreish and utterly refreshing, it should be easy for the Berry Salad Marinated in Yuzu to appeal. What one would be most possibly impressed with is how the fruits are well perfumed with the distinct aroma of the Japanese Yuzu.
The Caramel Puffs were quite addictive, the smooth cream was delicious while the choux pastry was gratifyingly chewy. Mini dessert cups are a common sight in both buffets and The Tea Lounge does offer these toothsome treats too, for example, the Champagne Jelly with Berries and the Panna Cotta with Ananas E Vanilla, both making a significant enough gastronomical impression on my tastebuds. The Bonet Al Cioccolato was however, too heavy on my palate and it got rather monotonous with the dark chocolate flavours.
The Macarons scored high on the sugar scale and my friends and I thought that the shells could have fared better texturally. On the other hand, we were really fond of the full flavoured and luscious cream sandwiched between, so much so that we just had to have these rather sizeable (not the petite ones one often finds, the ones here are larger) treats after another.
One can be assured of a fine range of tea at The Tea Lounge, so much so that one would indisputably be spoilt for choice. My friends and I shared the Regent Blend– a wine- like blend of Indian Darjeeling and China Keemum with the floral point of Jasmine and golden Calendula petals. We had the Shanghai Rose too, the tea flaunted a floral taste, nicely infused with a tinge of nuttiness, providing for a complexity in aromas. I was recommended the Lemon Mango Tango when I asked for a flavoured iced tea, a strong citrus taste with an underlying sweetness. One would be able to enjoy many other beverages too (one of my friends had two cups of cappuccino).
Kudos to the service at The Tea Lounge; really friendly, helpful and professional staff who made the entire experience at the dining establishment even more remarkable.
A comfortable spread that focuses on the quality of the dishes and items, The Tea Lounge at the Regent has certainly met my expectations of being one of the best venues to enjoy a session of hi- tea (buffet). Scoring on ambience, service and food, I must say that I am really impressed, so much so that I believe that this is certainly a must- visit for hi- tea lovers.
The hi- tea buffet at The Tea Lounge is only available during the weekends at a price of $52.00++.
The Tea Lounge
Ground Floor, The Regent
1 Cuscaden Road
Singapore 249715
Contact Number: 6725 3246
Operating Hours:
Mondays to Fridays, 12.00pm till 5.00pm
Saturdays and Sundays, 12.00pm till 2.30pm and 3.00pm till 5.30pm
Jasper N.
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