DolceBunnie

Showing posts with label Tea. Show all posts

Sinmei Tea Room | Shop 5, 19 James Street, FORTITUDE VALLEY QLD 4006

I fell in love with matcha, a finely ground powder of specially grown and processed green tea, during our recent trip to Japan. We went to a traditional tea ceremony served by a maiko in Kyoto and it was a wonderful experience.

After we got back, every now and then I would have a sudden craving for matcha. I soon realised that a great matcha experience can be found in Brisbane, more precisely, at Sinmei Tea Room on James Street.

Tucked inside of Scrumptious Reads, Sinmei Tea Room isn’t your average cafe and the unique menu offers everything tea-related; from refreshing cold drinks like the matcha mojito ($8) made with matcha, mint, lime, brown sugar and soda, to hot drinks like the matcha soul ($6) made with soya milk then drizzled with honey and sprinkled with almond flakes, and dishes such as the Hakka thunder tea rice ($15) and vegetarian bibimbap ($15), and not to mention loads of tea flavoured cake options.

The service was a little slow on the day of our visit as we had to wait for over forty minutes for the Hakka rice dish, but it was so unique compared to anything that I’ve had before, I guess it was worth a try. Having said that, I would probably stick to drinks and cakes in the future. Now I know where to go when my have those matcha cravings again.

Total Bunnie Dollars Spent: $44

Ladurée | Sydney, AUSTRALIA

Many years ago when I first visited THE LEGENDARY Maison Ladurée, I didn't even know that it was famous. I was simply attracted by the beautiful window displays and its almost enchanting exterior. Back then, Ladurée wasn't as widely available as it is today and I loved that about it.

When it opened its store in Sydney, I couldn't be happier and decided to meet up with a girlfriend of mine over a few macarons and some tea during our last visit to Sydney.

Although the shop is no comparison to the one on Champs-Élysées, it certainly offers a slice of Paris closer to home. Oh and they have a wonderful selection of traditional and exotic tea.

Of course, I couldn't resist the temptation of getting one of their signature macaron key chains.

Total Bunnie Dollars Spent: $23 for food

Bergdorf Goodman BG Restuarant | New York City, USA

Okay, to say that I have a passion (if not a downright tradition) of having a high tea on every overseas trip that we take goes without saying. I mean, The Authors Lounge at the MO in Bangkok, the Orangery Kensington Palace, the Versace on the Gold Coast (any number of times) and more recently a couple of stunning places in China are just a shortlist (pretentious I know, but we are talking about high tea). So to say that I was more than a little excited about adding the Goodman’s Café at Bergdorf Goodman on 5^th Avenue to my list of accomplishments is an understatement.

The morning leading up to our afternoon rendezvous was nothing short of hectic. Thinking back, I am quite sure that we had 3 smaller meals all during the few short hours before our tea but clearly our zigzagging across town was keeping us hungry.

From the second you step into the Café you are smacked with an element of history and dainty décor that can only be described as “high-tea-esq”. We were not fortunate enough to secure a seat next to the window but the table was did get was cosy and the service was attentive and quick. We enjoyed the afternoon tea ($35USD per person). While the finger food was not the best I have ever had (the quality and creative of the items presented were not as amazing as I was hoping) the whole affair was as regal as any one of the other places that I previously mentioned and was easily enough to put me in the mood for shopping (I blame the high tea for my sudden desire and eventual purchase of a beautiful Chanel GST).

A Cliché must try … definitely

Pretentious … Maybe

The very best … I think not.

Total Bunnie Dollars Spent: $90USD (inducing tips)

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Room With Roses, 35 Adelaide Street, BRISBANE QLD 4000

I was hoping for good weather on Saturday, but the rain was pouring down when I got up. I helplessly looked at the other travel bunnie as if I was saying, our usual Saturday adventure has yet again been adjourned due to the stormy weather.

I aimlessly walked around the apartment for a good forty minutes before deciding on going for a walk downstairs to see if there was anything good to have for breakfast in town other than Brew.

We somehow ended up at Room with Roses on the second level of the beautiful Brisbane Arcade as the setting of this cafe was too inviting.

Service was pleasant. We had a traditional breakfast ($16.95) as well as their French toast with Canadian bacon and caramelised banana ($18.95). Both meals were tasty, especially the French toast as the bacon was cooked perfectly and the flavours of the dish were very well balanced.

If anything, the coffee that the other travel bunnie ordered was overpriced at $5.20. With so many good cafes around, I really don't know how they can justify that price.

I must say that Room with Roses manifests a sense of elegance and this is enhanced by the backdrop of the Brisbane Arcade. Having said that, there are a lot of other better breakfast options around at the same price range.

Total Bunnie Dollars Spent: $46.60.