Afternoon tea itself is a relaxing experience, but somehow, Raffles Makati has taken it a notch higher by including a brass and woodwind quintet to the English tradition. We went there two weeks ago, but the experience still rankles.
Christmas tunes by the Manila Symphony Orchestra quintet engulfs the packed Writers Bar - drowning out the clanking of the tea sets and joyful gabbles - emphasizing that it is indeed the most wonderful time of the year.
My boys and I watched Beethoven's 9th Symphony by the Manila Symphony Orchestra a couple of nights before we went for an afternoon tea at Raffles Makati. This was a continuation of the lingering obsession with MSO. That, coupled with the afternoon tea treats makes braving the Christmas holiday traffic rush worthwhile.
Raffles Makati's Afternoon Tea Set includes miniature sandwiches, freshly baked scones with clotted cream and locally made preserves, a selection of holiday pastries and seasonal tartlets, traditional cakes, and of course, your choice of Harney and Sons {considered by experts to be one of the best in the world} tea.
For Black Tea lovers, your choices are English Breakfast, Earl Grey Supreme, Paris, and Rose. English Breakfast is a full-bodied tea with Chinese Keemum as the major blend. Earl Grey Supreme is one of the two blends that I ordered. It's flavored with Bergamot and silver tips. Paris is the other blend that I love because of the combination of caramel, vanilla, and Bergamot. Rose, as the name suggests, is scented with rose oil and rose buds.
For Green Tea, they have Japanese Sencha, Genmaicha, Dragon Pearl Jasmine, Bangkok, and Moroccan Mint. Japanese Sencha is a refreshing tea with nutty undertones from central Shizuoka province. Genmaicha is a combination of green tea and rice kernels with roasted flavor. Dragon Pearl Jasmine is created by infusing hand-rolled pearls with jasmine flowers. Bangkok is a robust amalgam of green tea, vanilla, ginger, and coconut. And last, but definitely not the least is the Moroccan Mint. It's a blend of fine peppermint tea leaves from Oregon with gunpowder green tea.
Pomegranate Oolong and White Vanilla Grapefruit are the two White Tea blends. For the former, premium Ti Quan Yin oolong leaves are gently infused with pomegranate, resulting in a sweet and silky cup of tea. The latter is a light and citrus blend from the fine union of vanilla, grapefruit, and white tea.
Raffles Makati offers Herbal Tea or Tisanes as well. There's Chamomile, Rooibos Chai {caffeine-free South African herbal with Indian spices}, and Mango Fruit.
The Writers Bar Concerto Afternoon Tea for two is priced at PhP 1,200++. Afternoon Tea with Champagne is priced at PhP 2,995++. It is available from 2:00 pm until 5:30 pm every Saturdays.
Raffles Hotel Makati
1 Raffles Drive Manila, Philippines
Tel. No. (+632) 555.98.88
Website: www.raffles.com
Facebook: Raffles Makati
Twitter: @rafflesmakati
Onward and Upward!
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