High-Tea at the “Nellie” – The H in my journey!

Now I know that paying a fortune for “Tee and Koek” might not be everyone’s cup of tea (no pun intended), but having High Tea at the Mount Nelson is something I’ve always wanted to do.  And who can blame me, their website has this to say “No visit to Cape Town is complete without experiencing Mount Nelson Hotel’s legendary Afternoon Tea. Famous foodies and travel writers the world over describe it as being one of the best afternoon tea experiences in the world.” (http://www.mountnelson.co.za/web/ocap/afternoon_tea.jsp)  So I reckon if people from all over the world get to experience this decadent affair, then surely I can drive 20mins to sit among the rich and famous drinking tea from fine-bone china with the obligatory pinkie in the air.

But the dilemma now becomes what to wear, because with treats like Black Forrest Gateau, Gingerbread and Gianduja Cake and Lemon Chiffon on the menu  I’m already thinking I may need to track down some preggie pants to wear for the occasion. (oh and fyi for the uninitiated “Gianduja” is a European style of chocolate made from chocolate and nut paste, usually hazel and before you ask, no I didn’t use Wikipedia to look that up – I used about.com!)

So a culinary experience of this magnitude needs to at least coincide with an occasion of some significance.  So ta da.. for my 37^th birthday a few girl friends and I are going to dress up and “do tea” at the Mount Nelson early next year!  My friend (not the one-with-a-life, but in fact the one who’s dad referred to people as a tonic!) and I both turn 37 in January.  So I suggested we each invite a pal, who like us are High Tea virgins and celebrate our birthdays in style!

Now I have no doubt my friends and I will stick out when we do go for tea – in fact I’m sure everyone will know that this is “our first time”.  But you know what, I don’t care – I’m there to eat cake and by George its (Gingerbread and Gianduja) cake I’m going to eat… and lots of it too.

But the thing I’m looking forward to the most about this tea is FINALLY being able to use “my word of the moment” (Petit Fours) appropriately. I simply can’t wait to say something like "darling, have you tried the PETIT FOURS? They are DIVINE!"

So “famous foodies and travel writers”, soon I too will be able to say “Been there, done that, eaten the Petit Fours!”