Sugared & Spiced

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The PuLi Hotel & Spa

Add: 1 Changde Lu, near Yan’an Zhong Lu / 常德路1號，近延安中路
Tel: 3203 9999
Hours: [afternoon tea] 2:30~5:30pm
Website: www.thepuli.com
Price: [afternoon tea 下午茶] 240 + 15% RMB/set, +100 RMB for Moet & Chandon Brut NV
Visited on: 2011-12-03

Please note that this is an arranged tasting, so my experience is possibly more positive than a regular visit.

In this cold weather, there’s not much better than spending a warm and delicious afternoon at The PuLi Hotel & Spa. The sun-filled lobby, an elegant space that feels a world away from the dizzying Shanghai city center, is a most ideal place to enjoy the hotel’s newly launched afternoon tea service.

The PuLi, a sunny afternoon

Christmas decoration

For a even more secluded experience, head upstairs to Jing’An Restaurant, an understated yet stylish dining room overlooking Jing’An Park. You can also choose to take the tea service out on the terrace, but let’s save that for a warmer day…

Jing’An Restaurant

Table setting

Instead of the typical three tier tea stand, we were presented with a gorgeous wooden lacquer box, and instantly I knew PuLi’s afternoon tea would be different from anything else I’ve tried in this city.

Afternoon tea set, 240 or 340 RMB

Inside the box

And what’s inside the box? The savory: cured salmon pretzel bread, pork pie, chicken and mayo pretzel bread, bacon & egg pie. The sweet: raspberry donut, chocolate brownie, blueberry tart, strawberry tart. Each a mouthful of joy on its own, and all together they make a most charming assembly.

Inside the box

While everything in box was meticulously put together, I was especially impressed with the savory tidbits, each deserving a close-up picture:

Cured salmon pretzel bread

Bacon & egg pie

Bacon & egg pie

Chicken with mayo pretzel bread

Pork pie

Let’s not forget the warm, buttery, fluffy scones!

Scones

Scones

Lastly, the petit fours: orange chocolate truffle, strawberry marshmallow, lemon sable, chocolate meringue. I’m not a fan of marshmallows and meringues in general, but quite liked the orange chocolate truffle and crumbly lemon sable.

Petit Four

As part of the set, choose from a selection of tea and coffee, or, if in the mood for something bubbly, opt for a glass of Moet and Chandon Brut NV (+100 RMB).

Moet Chandon Brut NV

Afternoon tea at The PuLi Hotel & Spa is an exquisite experience. Whether you are a routine afternoon tea drinker or not, this should be on your list for next weekend. The price: 240 +15% RMB for a set (enough to feed two), or 340 +15% RMB with a glass of champagne. Come and enjoy!