The Ultimate Afternoon Tea at the Sahn Eddar restaurant in the Burj Al Arab in Bubai
The Ultimate Afternoon Tea in the only 7 star hotel in the world. Talking about high expectations. High expectations is even an understatement, I expected it to be a complete rip-off ; about € 100 for ´´ some coffee and cookies ´´. I thought it would never live up to be the Ultimate Afternoon Tea, but did I know that we were in for the treat of a lifetime !
I was a bit stressed on arrival as I didn´t have a confirmation of our reservation on me.
When our black Audi A6 taxi pulled up at the gates, we were granted access to the island of the hotel just by mentioning my name leaving all the (other) tourists at the entrance to take their pictures. A great feeling off course. Driving up to the hotel we could gaze at the remarkable building.
Our Ultimate Afternoon Tea was reserved at the Sahn Eddar a restaurant just one floor above the entrance, at the front of the hotel. You take the escalator between the dancing fountains and the huge aquarium to arrive at your floor.
We were a bit early, the Ultimate Afternoon Tea has 2 seatings one from 13-16 h and one from 16-19 h
we arrived at 12:45 but were seated immediately. Our seats had a great view on the crazy interior of the hotel. Looking up you can see how it is a big void on the inside ; just 2 walls forming a 90º angle with a sail of a unique polymer to complete the image of a sailboat
looking up
view to the inside from our table
Inside this open building is the highest fountain which blasts every 15 min 5 floors high
You get your glass of Louis Roederer Champagne allong with the overview of your Ultimate Afternoon Tea
What ??? 7 courses for tea ? I couldn´t believe what I read. Now I was even more curious as it looked like it would be a long tasting trip with a great view .
The also asked me if there s a special occasion for our visit and as a matter of fact it was my birthday.
An extra mystery... what was I to expect. The answer as you will see was surreal.
1st course : Berries Tart
2nd course : Assortment of Finger Sandwiches
Ceasar chicken on brown bread
Cucumber on brioche bread
Beef tortilla wrap
Salmon on pumpernickelbread
Tuna on Ciabatta colloured with squid ink
3rd course : Chef´s Carvery
Chicken carving with mashed potato, breadcrum and Pommery mustard sauce.
4th course : Sorbet
a lychee sorbet with a rose petal on top
View from our table over the drive to the hotel, the Wild Waddi waterpark and Jumeirah Beach
At the same time the coffee and tea arrived to prelude the sweet part of the afternoon tea.
The tea holds a flower that slowly opens as you wait. We bought one of those at home to try but it didn´t open as well as it did at the Burj Al-Arab.
5th course : Freshly baked scones, Devonshire clotted cream and Home-made preserves
Regular & raisin scones, passion fruit, strawberry and orange preserves. And the cream was sooo good.
just as delicious as it looks. Best scones I ´ve ever had.
And than ... my Birthday present, ´Happy Birthday to you´ played on the harp
a birthday pastrie with a ´Thank you for celebrating your birthday with us´
! crazy !
6th course : French pastries
My experience is that after the explanation of the pastries you are so overwhelmed that you just point out the tastiest one :)
HERS
HIS
7th course : Chocolates & Petit Fours
What can I say, it was a picture postcard experience !
till next time !
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