High tea. The words stir up images of the colonial past when graceful ladies and gentlemen of leisure gathered for tea and conversation. Dressed in their casual finery, they would while away the afternoons in genteel luxury, sipping the hot beverage from dainty, flower-printed China while nibbling on dainty sandwiches, scones and petit fours. Hotel Yak and Yeti, brings back this quintessential British tradition with a new ‘High Tea’ buffet at its Lounge 77.
“High tea, more or less, went out of fashion. It’s popular only in places that still retain much of their colonial practices, in countries such as Sri Lanka, Australia and Hong Kong, and in England itself where there are still high-end tea rooms aplenty. Nonetheless, the practise has percolated down to the ordinary folk here and we do so love our tea and snacks in the afternoon. Just take a look at the tea and snacks shops that have popped up all over the city to cater to the demand,” says Chef Aryan Bikram Nath, Pastry Chef at Hotel Yak & Yeti.
“We wanted to recreate that old world charm and understated glamour of high tea afternoons, all with a Nepali twist,” he adds, as we sit down for a cup of tea. Chef Aryan’s culinary journey began at a young age, where his natural talent quickly became evident. He trained under Indian Pastry Maestro Paul Besra in baking and refined his chocolate-making skills under Indian Celebrity Chef, Danish Khan. Seeking further expertise, he honed his foundational skills at British Celebrity Michelin Starred Chef Gordon Ramsay’s Restaurant “Bread Street Kitchen” mastering the fundamentals that would set the stage for his illustrious career. At Yak and Yeti, Chef Aryan has tried to highlight Nepali flavours in the high tea menu.
Patrons get to choose from traditional Nepali high tea and classic British high tea. Nepali high tea pays homage to Nepal’s culinary heritage featuring iconic treats such as Selroti Achar, Bara Chatamari, Lakhamari with Gundpak, Masala Ilam Tea, Yomari and other delicacies. “But the star blend on the menu – and the most popular – is Selroti Achar,” the Chef shares. “It is with a vision Nepal on a table,” he adds.
The classic British high tea features savories and tea sandwiches, scones with jams and cream, Mustang apple tart and Himalayan cheesecake. Anyone who has grown up reading Enid Blyton books can recall wanting to partake in lazy afternoon teas, munching on cream-filled scones and dainty finger sandwiches.
The buffet spread is equally delightful; a limited menu but sumptuous, nevertheless. Scrumptious too, for that matter. The spread keeps changing as per the season but at any given time there will be seven bite-size dishes, both savouries and sweets. For now, Mustang apple tarte tatin, classic French madeleine with Himalayan citrus flavors and Himalayan timur chocolates are the major highlights.
The High Tea buffet costs Rs. 1800, all inclusive, and is from 12 pm to 6 pm daily.
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