Honey Bliss Afternoon Tea Offers Sweet Adventure at the Writers Bar in Raffles Makati
After taking a short break, The Hungry Kat is finally back and eating my way again through the best places in the city once again. My first destination also happens to be my favorite hotel, so I'm happy to be back at Raffles Makati as they present another new concept to their signature Afternoon Tea at the Writers Bar.
The Honey Bliss Afternoon Tea is a collection of sweet and savoury bites inspired by the flavorful honey produced by Raffles Makati’s very own bee colonies. This marks the fourth installment of honey-themed afternoon teas at Raffles Makati introducing new flavourful creations to a classic tradition that began in 2022. This is available daily from 2.00pm to 5.30pm at the Writers Bar from June 5 until July 31, 2025. The tea set is available for P3,200++ for two persons with options for mocktail or cocktail upgrades.
The Writers Bar is open from 2:00pm to 11:00pm daily at the ground floor of Raffles Makati. A revered institution at all Raffles locations, the Writers Bar pays tribute to all the iconic writers who have found inspiration at Raffles over the years. Designed to resemble a library and bathed in natural sunlight, it is an oasis of calm and tranquility, surrounded by soothing music, exquisite art, and the written legacies of literary luminaries.
Afternoon tea is an elegant pre-evening tête-à-tête popularized in Europe with its own history and traditional ceremonies. Raffles has been serving afternoon tea for more than 100 years so you can always get the best high tea experience in the country here.
I was excited to be back here at the Writers Bar for the launch of the Honey Bliss Afternoon Tea last June 4, 2025. We were served the refreshing Honey Passion Ale as a welcome drink before the start of the program.
Led by the team of executive chef Daniel Guevara, the Honey Bliss Afternoon Tea at the Writers Bar offers a journey of culinary delights inspired by this versatile and rich ingredient. At the heart of each afternoon tea component is the homegrown honey, a testament to Raffles Makati’s dedication to sustainability.
For several years, these bee colonies have been nurtured and harvested to supply the hotel with honey that is packed with antioxidants and is exceptionally tasteful. Paired with locally and sustainably sourced ingredients, the Honey Bliss afternoon tea is an experience of thoughtfully grown ingredients transformed by the culinary expertise of the master chefs at Raffles Makati.
The guests were also given a sample of the ingredients that they can mix with honey to create various flavors and aromas.
Now it's time to bring out the star of the afternoon, the Honey Bliss Afternoon Tea. It is presented in three lovely tiers which will be placed on your tables.
We began our adventure with their signature scones. This comes with the Writers Bar classic scone and the new bacon honey scone. These are paired with clotted cream and strawberry jam plus honey. Slice your scones in half horizontally and place the cream or jam on top, depending on your preference.
The bottom layer of the tea set consists of Culinary Arts which features savoury bites like the Lady Grey Onion Prosciutto Tartlet, Quail Egg Guacamole Tapenade Cradle, Raffles Organic Honey Pistachio Sphere, Orange Blossom Honey Salmon Blini, and Hibiscus Tea Beetroot Napoleon.
The middle tier comes with Pastry Delights such as the Supreme Chocolate Honey Almond Tart, Honey Macadamia Passion, and Honey Baklava Pouch. These honey and chocolate combinations were my favorite items at the Honey Bliss Afternoon Tea set.
Lastly, the topmost tier comes with even more sweet items such as the Matcha Honey Yoghurt Macaron, Honey Clementine, and Raspberry Tofu Tahini Praline.
Guests will also get their choice of coffee or tea from Raffles Makati’s finest selection of flavors courtesy of TWG Tea. Thank you Raffles Makati for inviting us to the launch of your new honey-inspired afternoon tea.
Honey Bliss Afternoon Tea
Writers Bar, 1 Raffles Drive, Makati Avenue, Makati City
The Writers Bar at Raffles Makati Launches Harmony in Forms Afternoon Tea Inspired by Hans Brumann & Impy Pilapil
The Writers Bar at Raffles Makati proudly unveils its latest opulent offering, the "Harmony in Forms Afternoon Tea," a fusion of exquisite culinary craftsmanship and captivating visual arts. This new afternoon tea set can be enjoyed starting January 26, 2024 and this unparalleled experience is a testament to the Raffles brand's unwavering commitment to the arts.
The Hungry Kat was invited last week to the launch of the Harmony in Forms Afternoon Tea so I made my way back to my favorite luxury hotel in the country. The afternoon tea set is available daily at the Writers Bar from 2:00pm to 3:30 pm and from 4:00pm to 5:30pm at P3,200 nett for two persons which includes a choice of premium TWG tea or coffee with optional upgrades for mocktails and cocktails.
In collaboration with two distinguished Filipino artists, the Writers Bar's Harmony in Forms Afternoon Tea transcends the ordinary, showcasing seven sublime sculptures of renowned jeweler Hans Brumann and three mesmerizing masterpieces from the Aquabella series by master artist Impy Pilapil.
The Writers Bar is open from 2:00pm to 11:00pm daily at the ground floor of Raffles Makati. A revered institution at all Raffles locations, the Writers Bar pays tribute to all the iconic writers who have found inspiration at Raffles over the years. Designed to resemble a library and bathed in natural sunlight, it is an oasis of calm and tranquility, surrounded by soothing music, exquisite art, and the written legacies of literary luminaries.
Elegance permeated the event last January 25 which was graced by luminaries from the diplomatic community, esteemed hotel patrons, media personalities and key opinion leaders. Hosted by Raffles and Fairmont Makati’s Cluster Director of Business Development, Rubi De Vera, the soirée commenced with eloquent opening remarks by Raffles and Fairmont Makati's Director of Food and Beverage, Anne-Sophie Hurtaud, who declared, "Arts and Culture are not mere embellishments; they are the very soul of the Raffles brand. Today, with the unveiling of Harmony in Forms, we celebrate the rich tapestry of creativity that defines our brand's profound passion for the arts."
Hans Brumann's body of work spans more than half a century and is characterized by a consistent and recognizable aesthetic that he has developed over that time. This style combines the sleekness of contemporary sculptural design with a dash of whimsicality and a keen eye for color. Even now, at the venerable age of 80, he continues to bring a certain sense of curiosity and wonder to sculptures, creating breathtaking pieces that range from bas-relief to free-standing works. Here he presents Bird, a painted steel with molave base sculpture that you can also find at the Galerie Hans Brumann.
The Aquabella Series by Impy Pilapil was inspired by her fascination and dreams of the aquatic world and life underwater. Impy Pilapil is a versatile multi-media artist, sculptor, muralist, and interactive art innovator who is known for her elegant and timeless compositions. Through the years, she has created remarkable works in various mediums such as paper, glass, steel, wood, and stone. She has exhibited around the world and her creations form part of choice collections of banks, multinationals, and discerning private collectors.
Afternoon tea is an elegant pre-evening tête-à-tête popularized in Europe with its own history and traditional ceremonies. Raffles has been serving afternoon tea for more than 100 years so you can always get the best high tea experience in the country here. We started our journey with a glass of the Dreamer Mocktail with its refreshing blend of citrus flavors.
Curated by the hotel's culinary virtuosos under the guidance of Executive Chef Bela Rieck, the Harmony in Forms Afternoon Tea set is a symphony of visual and gastronomic delight. It is presented in three lovely tiers which will be placed on your tables.
But before that, our afternoon tea began with their scones. Chef Bèla combines the Classic Scones together with Lemon Coated Scones. These are paired with clotted cream and strawberry jam plus honey. Slice your scones in half horizontally and place the cream or jam on top, depending on your preference.
The bottom layer of the tea set consists of Culinary Arts which features art-inspired creations such as the Wood-smoked salmon canapés, Steel-cut foie gras terrine with red apple, Paper-wrapped marinated truffle chicken, Mini stone oven pizette with Kalamata olives and chorizo, and Mini mushroom quiche.
The middle tier comes with Sweet Temptations like the Wood-charred pineapple tartlets, Pistachio éclairs, and Paper-thin flower petals on double chocolates.
Lastly, the topmost tier comes with even more sweet items such as the Limestone lemon tarts, Glass shard macarons, and Steel-blue berry cheesecake bites.
Guests will also get their choice of coffee or tea from Raffles Makati’s finest selection of flavors courtesy of TWG Tea. For a more bubbly afternoon tea experience, there’s also an option to upgrade your tea set to include two glasses of Dreamer Mocktail for only P500++. Better yet, upgrade it to two glasses of The Artist Cocktail for P800++. Elevate your afternoon to an artful crescendo with Harmony in Forms Afternoon Tea at The Writers Bar, where luxury meets artistic transcendence. Book your seats now at https://bit.ly/BookTheWritersBar.
Raffles Makati Launches Sansó Afternoon Tea at the Writers Bar
Raffles Makati is offering another new luxurious afternoon tea to keep us company during these rainy months. From July 6 to September 6, 2023, you can experience the Sansó Afternoon Tea at the Writers Bar from 2:30pm to 5:30pm every day. The Sansó Afternoon Tea is a visual delight inspired by the artistic creations of renowned Filipino painter, Juvenal Sansó, one of the country's most distinguished living painters and a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Merit given by Republic of the Philippines.
Juvenal Sansó is among the last remaining figures of the Philippine Modernist movement. The trajectory of his artistic practice mirrors his iconic life, spanning through different movements across Europe and Asia. His vibrant works have inspired Raffles Makati to create an afternoon tea set that pays homage to Sansó's origins and talent, creating a colorful feast for the senses. We visited Raffles Makati last Friday to savor this limited-edition afternoon tea for ourselves and to see the colorful displays and exhibits firsthand.
The Writers Bar is open from 2:00pm to 11:00pm daily at the ground floor of Raffles Makati. A revered institution at all Raffles locations, the Writers Bar pays tribute to all the iconic writers who have found inspiration at Raffles over the years. Designed to resemble a library and bathed in natural sunlight, it is an oasis of calm and tranquility, surrounded by soothing music, exquisite art, and the written legacies of literary luminaries.
During this special two-month period, the Writers Bar will feature vignettes of Sansó’s works throughout the decades, including an exhibition of an actual Moderno work, Sansó giclees, art plates, posters, and books about the artist. This is in partnership with Modern and Contemporary Art Festival or MoCAF 2023 and Fundacion Sanso.
The Moderno painting is the centerpiece of the Sansó Afternoon Tea at the Writers Bar. Sansó was an avid photographer and took many photos of the places he traveled to in Asia, Europe, and the Americas. These photographs eventually became sources of inspiration for his Moderno Series. As recounted by Fundacion Sanso's Ricky Francisco, in the late 1990s, Sansó set up a studio in Iran and was inspired by the country's breathtaking mountain ranges and sun-kissed valleys. This inspired him to create the Moderno Series, which is characterized by sharp and incredibly detailed pictorial realism. This is in contrast to his earlier works, which were more floral and imagined.
Afternoon tea at the Writers Bar is always accompanied with live music and entertainment to match the elegance and charm of this luxury five-star hotel.
Afternoon tea is an elegant pre-evening tête-à-tête popularized in Europe with its own history and traditional ceremonies. Raffles has been serving afternoon tea for more than 100 years so you can always get the best high tea experience in the country here. This is available at the Writers Bar by reservations only with two seatings daily from 2:00pm until 3:30pm and 4:00pm until 5:30pm.
Each tier of canapès and confections is a tantalising treat that pays homage to Sansó’s origins and talents, creating an array of visual and gastronomic delights.
Guests can enjoy a special menu inspired by Sanso's art, while dining by the light of the artist's delightful Breton House Series of lamps.
But before that, you can have your choice of premium tea or coffee from Raffles Makati’s finest selection of flavors courtesy of TWG Tea. The server will bring their tea cart to your table and you can choose two flavors good for two persons.
We chose the Raffles Makati Blend which comes with sweet and fruity notes and the Pink Garden with its floral accents. Optional upgrades for mocktail, cocktails and champagne are also available.
Each afternoon tea set come with a plate of baked Olive Scones and Classic Scones accompanied by traditional clotted cream and strawberry jam. Slice your scones in half horizontally and place the cream or jam on top, depending on your preference.
The sumptuous three-tier medley features savoury Culinary Art delights on the bottom plate such as Fresh Tomato Bruschetta, Filipino Fresh Lumpia with Peanut Sauce, Ham & Cheese Puffs, and Tortilla Squares with Spiced Chorizo. It also includes Gazpacho Shots which is a nod to Sansó's Spanish roots.
In the middle of the set you can find Sweet Temptations such as Churro Bites with Cinnamon and Chocolate, Leche Flan, and Mango Tartlets. These sweet desserts are also inspired by Sanso's colorful artworks.
We get even more sweet surprises on top like the Turron de Chocolate, Tres Leches Cake Bites, and the Ube Macapuno Cupcakes. All of these delightful items are meticulously prepared like a work of art by the Raffles Makati culinary team.
The Sansó Afternoon Tea is available for P2,900 nett and is another great addition to the lineup at the Writers Bar. Book your Sansó Afternoon Tea now by calling Raffles Makati or through their online reservations page at https://bit.ly/BookTheWritersBar.
Writers Bar in Raffles Makati Reopens With Champagne Afternoon Tea
After more than two years, the Writers Bar in Raffles Makati finally opened its doors once more last April 21, 2022. Writers Bar is my favorite place to visit for their luxurious afternoon tea sets. In fact, I remember attending one of my last events here last March 2020 just before the pandemic lockdowns started (Sakura Afternoon Tea at the Writers Bar). Now, with the city under Alert Level 1 and the pandemic hopefully behind us, Raffles Makati has finally opened all its signature restaurants once again to serve its discerning clientelle.
The Writers Bar is one of the most classic and elegant places to spend a relaxing afternoon in the city. You can find it just across the lobby of Raffles Makati which is personally our favorite five-star luxury hotel in the country (Elegant Birthday Staycation at the Raffles Presidential Suite). I was so happy to see the Raffles lobby all bright and colorful this time, compared to our last visit here a few months ago when this section was still closed off to guests. Now, everything seems back to normal and I can finally enjoy their Champagne Afternoon Tea again at this charming venue.
The Writers Bar is open from 2:00pm to 11:00pm daily. A revered institution at all Raffles locations, The Writers Bar pays tribute to all the iconic writers who have found inspiration at Raffles over the years. Designed to resemble a library and bathed in natural sunlight, it is an oasis of calm and tranquility, surrounded by soothing music, exquisite art, and the written legacies of literary luminaries.
The Hungry Kat was invited to a By-Invitation Only event last April 20 to mark the reopening of the Writers Bar. A harpist was even present to add to the luxurious surroundings.
Raffles Makati has partnered with Moët Hennessy and their champagne house Veuve Clicquot for the Champagne Afternoon Tea set which can be enjoyed at The Writers Bar. This signature set includes two glasses of Veuve Clicquot, as well as canapès inspired by and incorporating the champagne.
A special media event entitled “A Toast to Women” was also held to commemorate this special occasion. This panel discussion on female leadership, empowerment and success was inspired by the founding and legacy of Veuve Clicquot. Barbe-Nicole Clicquot, the 27-year-old widow of the grandson of Maison Clicquot’s founder and widely known to be one of the first businesswomen of modern times, took over the house’s wine business and took Maison Clicquot’s winemaking efforts to new and greater heights. Joining the panel were four special women, all leaders and figureheads in their chosen careers. They were led by Her Excellency Michèle Boccoz, Ambassador of the French Republic to the Philippines. Also part of the panel is Professor Jikyeong Kang, who holds several leadership positions at the Asian Institute of Management (AIM); JV Wong, President and Chief Executive Igniter at People Ignite Organizational Development and Training Inc; and Pilar Almario, Moët Hennessy’s Brand Educator.
Raffles Makati’s newly appointed Executive Chef Bela Rieck presented the guests with his version of the Champagne Afternoon Tea which will be available at the Writers Bar daily from 2:00pm to 5:00pm starting April 21.
Raffles has been serving afternoon tea for more than 100 years so you can always get the best high tea experience here. The Champagne Afternoon Tea offers three tiers of savory and sweet canapès crafted and inspired by incorporating the distinct quality and taste of Veuve Clicquot.
We started with a plate of Classic Scones and the Salted Double Chocolate Scones paired with clotted cream, strawberry jam and mango jam. Slice your scones in half horizontally and place the cream or jam on top.
One of the my favorite items in the afternoon tea set is the Foie Gras “Rocher” with Gold Leaf. This has foie gras-infused chocolate truffle that is simply delightful. The Prawn cocktail and quail egg sandwich is also a good bite-sized treat together with the truffle-infused porcini mini quiche and grilled eggplant with cured cheese.
On the other tiers you can find lovely items such as the Braised beef en croûte, tonka bean crème brûlée, Marc de champagne dark chocolate truffle, and Esterhazy slice.
Round off your afternoon tea set with delightful sweets like the Champagne macarons, passionfruit religieuse, and white coffee panna cotta.
Guests will have their own choice of tea from Raffles Makati’s finest selection of flavors courtesy of TWG Tea. They even have this TWG Tea cart where you can choose from among the various tea leaves.
I chose one of the their popular flavors, the 1837 White Tea. This twist on TWG Tea's renowned signature tea comes with an ethereal blend of white tea with notes of fruits and flowers from the Bermuda triangle, which leaves a lingering aftertaste of wild berries and anise.
Guests can choose two types of tea and these are refillable with hot water. You can also choose coffee instead of tea if you prefer.
The Champagne Afternoon Tea also comes with two glasses of Veuve Cliquot champagne. The Yellow Label is the signature of Veuve Clicquot’s quality and style with its fruity notes and perfumed acidity.
You can’t go wrong with this luxurious bubbly beverage that will truly make the afternoon lovelier. The Champagne Afternoon Tea with Veuve Clicquot is available at P2,950 for two persons. They are also offering the Classic High Tea set without champagne for P2,000 for two persons.
The Champagne Afternoon Tea at the Writers Bar is available from 2:00pm until 5:00pm only, while evening cocktails are served from 6:00pm to 11:00pm. The Writers Bar will be for the exclusive use of guests with table reservations. Bookings may be made through https://bit.ly/BookTheWritersBar or you may call them at 8555-9840.
Sakura Afternoon Tea at the Writers Bar in Raffles Makati
It’s Cherry Blossom season at Raffles Makati as the Writers Bar continues its themed afternoon tea series with the Sakura Afternoon Tea. This delightful afternoon affair celebrates the annual Japanese springtime occasion combined with the exquisite British tradition. The Hungry Kat was invited for the media launch of this colorful event together with other VIP and Japanese guests including Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Koji Haneda.
Tea aficionados may indulge in the delicately created Sakura Afternoon Tea set paired with select fine teas at the Writers Bar from 2:30pm to 5:30pm daily, starting March 2 until May 31, 2020 for only P1,500 for two persons. The Writers Bar is one of the most classic and elegant places to spend a relaxing afternoon in the city. Raffles has been serving afternoon tea for more than 100 years so each visit is always charming and memorable.
In partnership with Swissôtel Nankai Osaka, the lovely afternoon tea menu is designed by Pastry Sous Chef Yuki Nakamura and Executive Sous Chef Hideki Matsuda. Both were on hand during the launch and this Sakura tree by the entrance welcomed all the guests to the Writers Bar.
Before we bagan our adventure, early birds were given a glass of Raffles’ homemade Japanese Iced Red Tea infused with elderflower. This is a refreshing way to start our journey to the Land of the Rising Sun.
Afternoon tea is an elegant pre-evening tête-à-tête popularized in Europe with its own history and traditional ceremonies. The Sakura Afternoon Tea gives it a more colorful and livelier presentation. We may not be able to travel to Japan this summer, but we can experience the cherry blossoms right here at Raffles Makati.
Guests will have their own choice of tea from Raffles Makati’s finest selection of flavors courtesy of TWG Tea. The Eternal Summer Tea is usually my choice, a fragrant South African red tea embellished with notes of sweet summer rose blossoms. They also have the Silver Moon Tea, a green tea accented with a grand berry and vanilla bouquet.
Each afternoon tea set come with a set of baked Sakura Scones and Plain Scones accompanied by traditional clotted cream, strawberry preserves, and lemon curd. I prefer topping my scones with cream only because I don’t want them to be too sweet.
The sumptuous three-tier medley features savoury delights on the bottom plate such as (clockwise starting from right) Sakura smoked salmon with Daikon pickles, Okonomiyaki sticks, Japanese rice crackers, Negi Miso chicken burger, and cold soba noodles served inside shot glasses.
In the middle of the set you can find sweet pastries such as Sakura and cream cheese mousse, Matcha roll, and Dorayaki, a mini Japanese pancake with red bean filling.
We get even more sweet surprises on top like the Sakura and Tea Pound Cake, Sakura Panna Cotta topped with Sakura gelee and pounded almond biscuit, plus the Sakura Coconut Macaron wrapped with a real Sakura leaf. These leaves were hand carried straight from Japan so you know how authentic they want the Sakura Afternoon Tea to be.
To make the experience even more rewarding, guests can upgrade their Sakura Afternoon Tea with a glass of Moët & Chandon Rosé Imperial Champagne for P1000 per glass. This truly made our afternoon more bubbly and memorable.
The Sakura Afternoon Tea is available at the Writers Bar all throughout the summer so you can still experience a little bit of Japan even without having to travel there. See you soon at Raffles Makati Hotel!
Champagne Afternoon Tea with Veuve Clicquot at Raffles Makati
Raffles Makati offers tea aficionados a bubbly and elegant afternoon as the hotel launches its Champagne Afternoon Tea with luxury brand Veuve Clicquot from April 23 to June 30, 2019. Indulge in one of the finest British traditions at the Writers Bar from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily as an accompaniment of Champagne and fine teas is served for a refined and tasteful experience.
Raffles Makati is undoubtably my favorite luxury hotel and I have spent many birthdays and special occasions inside its charming suites and signature dining establishments (Read: Elegant Birthday Staycation at the Raffles Presidential Suite). The Champagne Afternoon Tea with Veuve Clicquot at the Writers Bar features a delectable assortment of champagne-infused sweet treats and savoury delights delicately prepared by the hotel’s master chefs at P1500 for two persons. Better yet, upgrade your afternoon tea set to including two glasses of luxury Veuve Clicquot champagne for just an additional P1000.
The Writers Bar is Raffles Makati’s charming lobby lounge which serves light snacks, classic cocktails, and traditional afternoon tea. This is one of the best places to spend an idle afternoon with a friend drinking tea and admiring its exquisite ambiance. It even has its own resident pianist who provides charming melodies throughout the afternoon.
From April 23 to June 30, 2019, the Writers Bar will be transformed into a bubbly venue as Raffles Makati partners with Veuve Clicquot to offer one of the finest champagne brands in the world.
Founded in 1772 in Reims, France, champagne house Veuve Clicquot colors life with audacity. More than champagne, Veuve Clicquot is an attitude that sparkles joie de vivre, embodied by the House’s signature sunburst-yellow color. Madame Clicquot, the innovative woman known as la grande dame of Champagne, took the reins of the House in 1805, and became one of the first businesswomen of the modern times. She cultivated a culture of excellence, and adopted “only one quality, the finest” as her motto. Her passion, vision, and innate sense of French art de vivre live on today in the House that bears her name.
Afternoon tea is an elegant pre-evening tête-à-tête popularized in Europe with its own history and traditional ceremonies. Serving this for more than 100 years, Raffles’ afternoon tea comes with an old world charm and real sense of occasion to it. The hotel offers its themed afternoon tea affairs throughout the year which I never fail to miss, but this time it is the Veuve Clicquot luxury champagne which takes the spotlight.
The Afternoon Tea set starts with freshly baked Classic and Cranberry Scones accompanied by clotted cream, strawberry jam, and lemon curd. Cut the scones in half horizontally and place your desired toppings. I prefer putting the clotted cream only because I don’t want it to be too sweet.
The three-tier medley is composed of savoury items on the bottom which includes the Salmon and Dill Tartlet; Prawn, Mango and Cucumber Finger Sandwich; Parmesan Sable and Pumpkin Custard; and Crunchy Mini Baguette with chicken, walnut, and apricot filling.
Guests can then enjoy the sweet bites like Chocolate and Champagne infused Macarons; Passion Fruit Religieuse; and Dark Chocolate and Marc de Champagne infused Lollipops topped with Gold Leaf.
Lastly, Raffles culinary artisans also present a variety of flavourful treats on the top plate including Dark Chocolate Cake, Pistachio and Mango Tartlet, and the classic Victoria Cake with strawberry and vanilla to perfectly complement the afternoon affair.
Guests have their own choice of tea from Raffles Makati’s finest selection of flavors courtesy of Master tea blenders Harney and Sons. My favorite is their White Vanilla Grapefruit tea with its light and smooth citrus notes.
But for a truly luxurious and bubbly afternoon, upgrade your afternoon tea set (P2500 for two persons) to include two glasses of Veuve Clicquot. If that’s not enough, you can even order an additional glass of Champagne for P750 per glass or a full bottle of Veuve Clicquot for P4200.
Veuve Clicquot spreads delight through its remarkable champagne range, including the iconic Yellow Label, and its joyful experiences around the world. Its complexity comes from the predominant presence of Pinot Noir and Reserve Wines, a perfect balance between power and finesse. It is specially served in these wide glasses so that you can smell its powerful aroma before savoring its light and refreshing taste.
Catch this Champagne Afternoon Tea with Veuve Clicquot at Raffles Makati this summer for a truly fabulous time. Cheers!
Russian Afternoon Tea Workshop
Writers Bar, 1 Raffles Drive, Makati Avenue, Makati City
“I’m smiling so hard my jaw hurts.” - What If It’s Us, Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera. ——— I don’t think I had ever been this excited for breakfast, it was almost ridiculous. Except it wasn’t. Because I was meeting @beckyalbertalli and @adamsilvera for the first time. Because after four (4!) years of talking and building genuine friendships online, we finally got to hug and hang out. And it felt a lot like coming home. I mean. I’m dead serious. It was pretty freaking perfect. Also? Infinitely grateful for @bookfreakrevelations, @hazelstaybookish, and @inahreads. Getting to share this with y’all means more than I can ever say. Our friendship means more than I can ever say. You’re the best squad one could ask for, and I like your boots! Massive thanks to @nationalbookstore as well! For all that you do. I don’t think you realize how much joy you bring to the Filipino reading community—especially the YA reading community. It has been suck a long time coming. Excuse me, dick a long time coming. But yeah. Yesterday was magical and surreal and insanely special. 💛 ——— #BeckyandAdaminPH #BeckyAlbertalli #AdamSilvera #WritersBar #Raffles #bookworm #bookish #bibliophile #bookstagram #bookstagramph #bookstagramersph #bookblogger #vsco #vscocam #vscophile (at Writers Bar) https://www.instagram.com/p/BqFX3zHHpuB/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=rt2y3iz83xa9
Russian Imperial Afternoon Tea Workshop at Raffles Makati
This summer, tea lovers and aficionados can take their love for afternoon tea to the next level with the Russian Imperial Afternoon Tea Workshop at the Writers Bar. This is the third in their Royal Afternoon Tea series which previously featured themed sets from Queen Marie Antoinette of France and Queen Victoria of Great Britain. Now, its time to socialize with Russian aristocracy as Raffles Makati brings us another enchanting afternoon tea.
To make it more special, Raffles Makati has invited Ms. Sheryl Ebon, a certified Tea Sommelier and founder of a local tea brand Teavolution® Manila, for a series of workshops this summer at the Writers Bar. Participants can bask in a rich session covering tea history, art & ceremony, culture, and basic knowledge on how to make the perfect cup of tea. Afternoon Tea lovers are invited to join in from 3:30pm to 5:00pm on three special afternoons on February 28, March 28, and April 25, 2018 at only P2,650 for two persons. I wanted to broaden my knowledge about this exquisite past time so I attended their first workshop last week and went home with a new appreciation for this delicate ritual.
My first encounter with afternoon tea actually happened right here at the Writers Bar. Before, I thought that tea was just like any other beverage but it was not until I experienced the Afternoon Tea at Raffles that I began to appreciate the tradition and complexities woven into this classic ritual. The workshop was attended by a small group of participants which made the discussions casual and free-flowing. Ms. Sheryl opened with a short history of how tea began in China in 2737 B.C. and eventually traveled over to the rest of the world.
Joining us at the table was the always-elegant Monique Toda, Director of Communications at Raffles Makati. Afternoon tea is an elegant pre-evening tête-à-tête popularized in Europe with its own history and traditional ceremonies. Each country has developed their own tea rituals so it is really interesting to know how it blends into their cultures and traditions.
It was surprising to find out the different varieties of tea depending on how they are processed and that the tea bags we normally use are actually the lowest type. Teavolution Manila (www.teavolutionph.com) is one of the few retailers here that offers loose leaf and high quality teas so they know what they are talking about.
Ms. Sheryl then followed with the specificity of Russian tea tradition, while also giving us a taste of the world famous Russian Caravan black tea blend. The blend was inspired by the tea camel caravans traveling to Russia in the 19th century.
One peculiar Russian tradition is to put strawberry jam or any sweet item into the cup before pouring the tea. I have never seen this done before but I guess the Russians also have a sweet tooth like Filipinos do and like their tea sweet.
The Samovar is considered as an integral element of Russia's rich history. This is a heated metal container Russians traditionally use to heat and boil water. They usually drink tea throughout the day, especially with their cold weather, so every house has one of these.
We poured the Russian Black Caravan Tea over our cups and had a sip. The tea is quite strong but the sweet flavors of the strawberry jam made it a fruity and sweet blend.
To make it a complete Russian Afternoon Tea experience, a medley of sweet and savoury delicacies was also served to us on this three-tier tower, inspired by the era of Imperial Russia.
Starting February 1 until April 30, 2018, the Russian Imperial Afternoon Tea is served daily at the Writers Bar from 2:30pm to 5:30pm. This comes with your choice of tea from Raffles Makati’s finest selection of flavors courtesy of Master tea blenders Harney and Sons, including the Russian Caravan blend. An assembly of Russian-inspired savoury and sweet bite-sized delights is then presented, delicately prepared by the hotel’s master chefs. You can Indulge in this delectable collection for only P1,150 for two persons (without the workshop).
The first plate consists of savory items which includes Kanapki, an open sandwich topped with smoked salmon, salmon roe, and herbed sour cream. It also has a Pirozhki which is a small pie stuffed with sun-dried tomatoes, goat cheese, roasted peppers, and artichoke.
This colorful and savoury tart is a Capelin Fish Roe with cream cheese, boiled egg, and lemon. Rounding off the plate is the Pickled Herring Blinis, a Russin pancake with beet purée, horseradish cream, quail egg, and caviar.
No afternoon tea set is complete without scones. The Russian Afternoon Tea comes with Cranberry & Orange Scones served with strawberry jam, clotted cream, lemon curd. What I found more interesting though was the sweet Russian Tea Cakes or tea cookies made simply with flour, butter, and rolled into powdered sugar.
The topmost layer is where all the desserts can be found. Let’s start with the Moloko Pitchye (left), a soft chocolate covered candy made from chewy meringue milk souffle and which literally means bird’s milk. The Fabergé Egg Sugar Cookies (right) are designed to look like the iconic jeweled Fabergé eggs which the Tsars gifted their wives and mothers during special occasions. At the back is the Chocolate Korolevsky or King’s Cake, a layered cake traditionally made in the imperial cities in Russia and eaten by aristocracy.
It’s hard to miss the macarons and these are special Honey & Roasted Apple Macarons. Beside them is the Zefir Strawberry Tart with sliced and whipped Strawberry purée in gelatin.
Also on display at the Writers Bar are fine English tea cups and sets from Wedgwood, which has graced the tables of royal families. Bits and Bobs owner Mila Lee, who also joined our afternoon tea workshop, showed me the various cups and mugs which I really found so elegant and charming. The quality of the tea is highlighted even further when you use these exquisite cups.
We did not discuss it, but we all came here wearing red dresses! I would like to thank Raffles Makati for giving me another wonderful and memorable afternoon tea experience here at the Writers Bar. I’m happy to spend the afternoon with Ms. Monique and Ms. Mila in such a classy location. Make your reservations now for the March 28 and April 25 workshops because slots are limited. Time for my tea!
Russian Afternoon Tea Workshop
Writers Bar, 1 Raffles Drive, Makati Avenue, Makati City
