The Bar at the Shore Restaurant |
Afternoon tea with a beach view |
Afternoon Tea at The Shore Restaurant, Grand Nikko Bali
Words by Kirsten Durward
Photos by The Yum List (Monica Tindall)
There is no more quintessential English ritual than the ceremony and serving of an Afternoon Tea. Folk history has it that Anna, 7th Duchess of Bedford experienced a ‘sinking feeling” during the late afternoon. She appeased her hunger pangs by ordering tea, sandwiches and cakes in her bedroom. Enjoying the experience she invited friends to join her in the drawing room for tea, following a walk in the fields. Society hostesses were very competitive in the early 19th century so Afternoon Tea soon became the raging fashion.
From the drawing rooms of London to the beaches of Bali, I am sure that dear Anna would loved to have joined us for this elegant experience at the Shore. When I arrive, Monica is already relaxing on a colonial style white sofa replete with turquoise cushions, gazing out at the startling blue of the Indian Ocean. She is sipping from a classic white china tea cup from which the aromatic scent of Moroccan Mint drifts on the breeze. Readers know that I am always keen to try something different, so I select the Moon Fruit Black, which is a fruity and floral tea, gently warming and relaxing.
As tradition demands we are served with a tiered selection of delicate delights. Too many temptations fill my vision, so I focus on the savoury options on the base. Pastry Chef Katarina Sari is showing a playful mentality with her original creations. Egg sandwich two ways features a paper thin omelette around a yummy savoury egg mix. Shame there is not more of them. The opposing savoury is a delicate wrap filled with lightly cooked roast beef with asparagus. Yum!
We move upwards to find flower shaped chocolate fondant cake fudgy and soft. It vies for my attention with tiny choux puffs full of orange chocolate mouse and slivers of pistachio. Food fit for a duchess, surely. Tiny fruit boats with buttery short crust pastry and filled with silky crème patisserie don’t last long. Monica loves the tangerine mousse cheesecake with its deep infused flavour.
Chef really has spoiled us with this range of cakes, but the top layer contains a range of biscuits to die for, glowing macaroons, chocolate dipped coconut cookies and a glass of candied cashews topping the lot. I defer to Monica’s greater experience with macaroons, and she declares these a winner, crispy on the outside with a gooey, chewy inner. We tasted Katarina’s work at breakfast but now we are even more impressed. She has managed to elevate this indulgence into a works of art. We’ve eaten a lot but we feel light and relaxed, not overfull and as it’s only 4pm we feel we have plenty of time to recover before dinner.
Reason to visit: A supremely tasteful and elegant afternoon tea. Wonderful sea views. Incredibly light pastries.
Grand Nikko Bali
Jl. Raya Nusa Dua Selatan
Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia
Tel +62 (0) 361 773 377
this really makes me wish that we had a seaside at KL too! so captivating 😀
I know. Wouldn't it be perfect to sit by the sea of a weekend?
Wow that really is pure bliss!
Great way to just relax and just melt all worries away…
Totally blissful, and purely relaxing, you are so right!
WOW what a beautiful place, i feel that i need a vacation in a place like this.
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It is entirely beautiful. Keep your eyes open on Agoda, they sometimes have some great deals on offer!
Very nice place, love the beach.
Greetings,
Filip
It was a beautiful beach, kept very clean too!
Definitely can't get here at KL, afternoon tea with a sea view, maybe pool view can get lah, haha 😛
Unfortunately no sea view in KL, but many great afternoon teas right? Check Monica's list for the best ones 🙂
Afternoon tea by the beach! Delightful experience indeed!
Deliciously Delightful. And we loved it!
You just have to go to Devon for afternoon tea in England. Nowhere is better to savour the sweet treat that is scones with clotted cream and jam. The thought alone is enough to make one hungry even minutes after having finished lunch!
One of the best afternoon teas in the area can be enjoyed within the historically grand Lewtrenchard Manor with its blazing fireplaces and gorgeous period features.
afternoon tea in kent
The savouries surely looks tempting. Thanks for sharing the historical part as well 🙂