Singapore Indulgence: High Tea at The Rose Veranda

High tea is an occasion in Singapore I always look forward to. It’s the most relaxing and indulgent thing to do in Singapore, besides going to a spa for massages, and I’m sure most women and people in touch with their feminine side would agree. It’s just that men who tend to be more fidgetty and faster eaters, may not enjoy this as much. And we women sure do love to chat. In my early twenties I used to sit for hours at a time just having a meal and chatting with the girls. I wonder where that time went, but to me it was every minute and dollar well spent. I just remember being really happy and carefree. Anyway here’s my little review and photo journal of my last high tea at the Shang. I’ve been here so many times (at least 5 times over the last decade) that this place is starting to feel like home.

View of the opulent Shangri-la lobby, as you walk up the flight of steps up to the Rose Veranda.

photo by bookjunkie

Idyllic moments are promised.

photo by bookjunkie

A cosy place to rest if you’re early.

photo by bookjunkie

The armchairs have been changed to a plush brown suede.

photo by bookjunkie

Time to stop and smell the roses.

photo by bookjunkie

The Rose Veranda uses tea from TWG these days.

photo by bookjunkie

The pretty rose tea pots with the heavenly teas made with the finest black, white and green tea leaves from all over the world. There are also herbal teas made from flowers like roses and lavender.

photo by bookjunkie

I wish I could have a set of these pretty rose bud ordained delicate porcelain tea cups.

photo by bookjunkie

I have to mention the new chocolate tea on the menu. I was intrigued.  We had an iced version and it has the loveliest chocolate taste and aftertaste that you wish you remain even longer. It was so divine and refreshing.  The most guilt free way to have chocolate.

photo by bookjunkie

photo by bookjunkie

Besides the sandwiches, the desserts were more enticing than the main selection which featured pretty heavy lunch dishes which were mostly curried.

photo by bookjunkie

Jelly beans and macarons added a new touch to the menu.

photo by bookjunkie

photo by bookjunkie

Red velvet menu with a dizzying array of opulent teas.

photo by bookjunkie

photo by bookjunkie

This place is so friendly that no one stopped me from opening taking pictures of the menu. Just wanted to share some of the selections that I picked. I usually tend to go for the French Earl Grey or teas with an orange flavour. I also tried the Weekend in Bombay tea which had a taste of vanilla but perhaps it was the cane sugar. The exotic names drew me in.

photo by bookjunkie

photo by bookjunkie

Just a little critique after an overall lovely experience: It’s a pity that they don’t serve their Viennese coffee anymore. It used to be a favourite of mine and I would look forward to ending my meal with this coffee. I missed the blood orange tea as well.

I feel there should be more light finger foods like sandwiches rather than heavy curry dishes, although I must admit the curried lamb was a burst of flavour and so tender. If you pay the usual S$38 before taxes you only get to choose 1 type of tea, but if you want an unlimited choice you have to pay S$48 ++.

photo by bookjunkie

photo by bookjunkie

photo by bookjunkie

photo by bookjunkie

photo by bookjunkie

I would also love to see a greater variety of sushi and maki.

photo by bookjunkie

The service remains warm and excellent with the nice ladies in the elegant high slit cheongsams serving you. I also love that you can come here dressed down and it’s definitely not a snooty place. There was an infant crying at the next table and no one batted an eye. At a snootier joint the mother would have been shot a glare by the wait staff. It’s that kind of luxurious yet laid back vibe which I love. I noticed that ladies love to come here, as well as groups of friends celebrating a birthday or anniversary and I think it’s a good safe choice if you don’t want your day to be marred by bad service. The teas here remain of a high quality and it’s the main reason to indulge in this buffet. Of the sandwiches I love the one encrusted with sesame seeds and some type of jam. Of the desserts my top pick would be the creme brulee and lemon tarlet.  Perhaps Shangri-la should get their macarons from TWG as well as the caramel ones at TWG are divine. I would chose quality over quantity so if the management at Shangri-la comes across this tiny blog I would just like to say I hope the quality of the food increases even if the selections have to be reduced. I won’t miss the dim sum, fried noodles or chicken curry for instance.

photo by bookjunkie

photo by bookjunkie

photo by bookjunkie

photo by bookjunkie

The thing about Shangri-la. You always leave feeling good. A lot heavier, but good.

photo by bookjunkie

photo by bookjunkie

photo by bookjunkie

About bookjunkie

Blogging about life in Singapore & recently cancer too.
This entry was posted in Food in Singapore and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

9 Responses to Singapore Indulgence: High Tea at The Rose Veranda

  1. Holy Moly BJ, you did a great job with your pictures. Did it take you a long time to upload all of those? I enjoy how you pay attention to detail, like the picture of the three jelly beans next to the plate. I appreciate that!

    Have a great day.

    Julie

    • bookjunkie says:

      Thank you so much Julie…..so glad you noticed the jellybeans…they are quite expensive here in Singapore. Only recently were we able to buy authentic ones from the candy store.

      Hope you’re having a wonderful day in Italy too 🙂

  2. J says:

    Love your first photo of how the lobby looks like a doll house 🙂

  3. 365days2play says:

    Your pics are great! The 1st pic looks like furniture in a doll’s house, looks so surreal. Aww man why did they increase the price. I have been telling everyone what a good deal a high tea at the Rose Verandah was. I too prefer all the dainty sandwiches and treats to curries, when I am at high teas.

  4. 365days2play says:

    Or you can try Hotel Intecontinental where the sandwiches are made to order.

Leave a Reply to bookjunkie Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.