Forget about something British influences about high-tea tradition, graceful afternoon gourmet pastime or whatever it’s called, afternoon tea in HK can be another great excuse of satisfying our sweet tooth in a less guilty(?) way. Who cares about putting some extra pounds when a wide variety of beautifully arranged savory and sweet choices are right in front of you?
My afternoon tea experience at Gradini, was one of the best in HK for both absolute quality and value for price, so I decided to dedicate my posting today solely to Gradini, Pottinger. It is actually a hidden-gem that most tourists or even Hongkongers are not aware of its true value, so I am happy to share this amazing place with you.
Having already experienced its great Italian meal at Gradini, I’ve had a certain degree of expectation about afternoon tea here. But with its price almost 30% cheaper than most of other famous high-tea places nearby in central, I somehow didn’t expect too much at the same time. But when this tea-set tray came to our table, I could instantly sense that this can probably be my favorite afternoon tea experience, and it truly was.
Gradini, Pottinger Hotel (74 Queen’s Road Central, Central)
Amazing afternoon tea set amounts only to HKD 188(USD24), one savory tray and the other sweet tray with a choice of coffee or tea. This extra hot cup of cappuccino with liberal amount of cinnamon power paired so well with above equally great food.
Savory choice: San Daniella ham with a fig, buffalo mozzarella with tomato sandwich, lobster sandwich, curry and meat puff, two thumbs up!
Sweet choice: Tiramisu, panna cotta, macaroon, scone, egg yolk cake, heavenly!
Cappuccino alone deserves 5 stars, extra hot and strong espresso flavor topped with creamy foam/cinnamon power
Cozy afternoon tea lounge, separate from elegant main dining area
Elegant main dining area filled with charm
Facade of Pottinger Hotel, with Gradini on 2nd floor, Ta Vie on 3rd floor, another famous restaurant specializing in Japanese-infused French food
You can simply order dessert a la carte, if you don’t want to be overwhelmed with huge afternoon tea set. Above features their signature “Moscato Jelly with fresh berry compote honey cone and coconut gelato” and “Tiramisu classico del pasticcere”.
Verdict: While it is conveniently located in hustle and bustle of central district lined with world-renowned brand shops, its tucked-away location slightly above busy Queen’s Road Central makes Gradini a quiet sanctuary for gourmands. While afternoon tea set is sometimes filled with too much unnecessary kinds of food, one at Gradini presents an adequate amount of portion, making one tea set enough for two people. With its premium quality ingredient, snug ambience and price tag being so unlike central, value of afternoon tea at Gradini easily tops most of other popular venues in HK.
Rating: Taste 5/ Ambience 4.5/ Service 5/ Price 3.5 /Value 5
