The Langham: Chocolate High Tea at the Aria Bar

Posted on | July 13, 2010 | 9 Comments

Disclosure: I attended the Chocolate High Tea courtesy of The Langham and Nuffnang.

Last month I was invited to a food and fashion bloggers’ chocolate morning tea at the Langham, organised by Nuffnang. I don’t normally stuff myself with cakes and chocolates for breakfast – but you know what they say about not turning down an opportunity.

Chocolate High Tea at the Langham

When I arrived, I walked past this table and thought, “Ooooooh is that for us?” And what do you know – it was! We were introduced to the German pastry chef, Chef Markus Bohm, who talked us through the various treats on offer. All of the items used a different type of single origin chocolate (apart from the Lindt and Callebaut) with the cocoas from places like Yucatan, Costa Rica and Madagascar. We’ll take a closer look in a moment.


Chocolate High Tea at the Langham

Our table was prettily set up, with napkins and mad hatter napkin rings, silver sugar pots, flowers and delicate plates under an LCD TV showing an image of a roaring fire. It was a shame it wasn’t a real one, because it was freezing. Never mind, a bit of tea helped warm me up!

Chocolate High Tea at the Langham

We were asked if we would like tea or coffee – I requested Earl Grey, which came out in a cute little silver teapot and a little biscuit on the side.

Chocolate High Tea at the Langham

Let’s check out some of the food. These little cakes were the Langham torte, a marizpan and almond-cake covered with two different kinds of chocolate.

Chocolate High Tea at the Langham

These little strawberry tartlettes with a white chocolate shell were one of my favourite items. They had a fresh creamy strawberry filling, with the tartness of the berries helping offset the sweetness.

Chocolate High Tea at the Langham

The lemon, lime and bitters curd tarts were also favourites of mine. Aren’t they just gorgeous? They had a very smooth, tart curd, and were topped with a blueberry.

Chocolate High Tea at the Langham Chocolate High Tea at the Langham

On the left we have Jaffa chocolate shots. To be honest, I’m not a fan of chocolate and orange together, but they were very well done – smooth layers of jelly and mousse topped with a raspberry.

And on the right are Amarascata roulades with cocoa nibs. I really liked these too. They looked gorgeous, with the cherries encased with cream and a light sponge.

Chocolate High Tea at the Langham Chocolate High Tea at the Langham

On the left we have the Chocolate marquise gateau with passionfruit mirror glaze. Beautiful, isn’t it? It took a while before anyone dared take a slice of the cake – it was too perfect! Inside was a smooth chocolate mousse, with the passionfruit glaze providing a bit of tartness.

On the right were warm rich chocolate puddings. They were delicious – rather rich, but not too sweet because they were so dark. I would be super happy to produce a chocolate pudding like this.

Chocolate High Tea at the Langham Chocolate High Tea at the Langham

Somehow I seem to be missing detail shots of several of the other items! On the left, you can see almond florentines, made with caramelized almonds and dipped in milk chocolate at the front.

On the right, behind the strawberry tarts, are granola clusters with Lindt milk chocolate. I don’t think I managed to try this item.

Other items I didn’t get a shot of were hazelnut chocolate éclairs, mixed nut biscotti dipped in Michel Cluizel chocolate, and the Alpine rocky road made with Lindt white chocolate. Not sure what happened there – can I blame too much sugar?

Chocolate High Tea at the Langham Chocolate High Tea at the Langham

But WAIT. In case all of that wasn’t enough, THERE WAS MORE. Chef Markus Bohm started cooking up individual passionfruit and chocolate chip souffles in a little portable oven. And out also came several tiered trays of scones and sandwiches.

Chocolate High Tea at the Langham

Let’s have a closer look at the scones. There were plain and fruit versions, served with jam and clotted cream. They were pretty good s
cones, with a firm crust and fluffy insides.

Chocolate High Tea at the Langham

One of these things is not like the others. One of these things just doesn’t belong. Can you tell which thing is not like the others by the time I finish my song? Oops! Sorry, trip down memory lane there. But yes, being the only savoury items, the sandwiches were the odd ones out. They were certainly welcome though! There was an assortment of flavours: smoked salmon, tomato and goat’s cheese, chicken, plus cheese and prosciutto, and they all tasted fresh and looked appropriately dainty.

Chocolate High Tea at the Langham

And finally, let’s have a proper look at the souffles – oooh ahhh. Sadly, by the time I received the souffle I had eaten far too much and could only manage a couple of spoonfuls. This was the only thing I found a bit too sweet for me, which is pretty good considering all the decadent sweet treats on offer.

I really enjoyed the morning tea, although I wouldn’t recommend eating such a decadent, indulgent breakfast every day! It’s normally an afternoon tea, which to my mind and stomach is much more reasonable. It would be a very nice way of spending an afternoon. Although I must add that I would have loved a few more savoury items – so the poor sandwiches didn’t feel so left out and to counteract all the sweet stuff!

For other posts of the morning, see:

Sarah Cooks
Melbourne Hot or Not
Addictive and Consuming
Nuffnang
Violet Le Beaux
Much Love

Aria Bar & Lounge
The Langham Melbourne
One Southgate Avenue
Southbank 3006
Ph: 1800 641 107

Related posts:

  1. Chocolate and pear muffins with chocolate syrup
  2. Chocolate Guinness Cupcakes with chocolate whisky ganache and Baileys buttercream
  3. Chocolate cake
  4. Chocolate and Cherry Ricotta Cake
  5. Cookbook Challenge: Week 24, Chocolate
Category: chocolate, eating out, ingredient, southbank, suburb

Comments

9 Responses to “The Langham: Chocolate High Tea at the Aria Bar”

  1. Lisa W
    July 14th, 2010 @ 4:26 am

    Mmmm…chocolate. You have all the luck!

    [Reply]

  2. bri
    July 14th, 2010 @ 11:50 am

    Wow – that looks like a completely amazing high tea! yum

    [Reply]

  3. Hannah
    July 14th, 2010 @ 1:53 pm

    You aren't a chocolate and orange person? What's that I hear? Another BFF moment? Hurrah!

    I'm pretty sure that lemon, lime and bitters tart would be one of my favourites, too… and I'm thankful to you too, now, for reminding me that that drink exists. I know what I'm ordering next time I head to a restaurant!

    [Reply]

  4. Iron Chef Shellie
    July 14th, 2010 @ 2:15 pm

    I am still soooooooooo annoyed I had to move house that day!! garrrr!!!
    Pudding making next week though, that should be good =D

    [Reply]

  5. missklicious
    July 14th, 2010 @ 6:06 pm

    A chocolate high tea? Sounds awesome! And love the cute little souffles

    [Reply]

  6. penny aka jeroxie
    July 14th, 2010 @ 11:04 pm

    I will be visiting again soon with a bunch of girls!

    [Reply]

  7. Sarah
    July 15th, 2010 @ 9:40 pm

    Great round-up! Was such a nice morning.

    Ooh, and I'm not an orange/chocolate person either! Yay!

    xox Sarah

    [Reply]

  8. Agnes
    July 16th, 2010 @ 8:24 pm

    Lisa: I know! I do!

    Bri: It was – all the little treats were so beautifully presented too.

    Hannah: Wahey! Reason 190347987 to add to the BFF list.

    Shellie: You definitely should have let Hamish do the moving while you ate chocolates. ;)

    missklicious: Oh aren't the souffles gorgeous? It was a shame they were so sweet!

    Penny: Oh awesome! I'm sure you'll have a great time (again!).

    Sarah: Yay – down with orange/chocolate. Such an unholy combination!

    [Reply]

  9. Maria@TheGourmetChallenge
    July 21st, 2010 @ 10:24 am

    oh man, why didnt I eat breakfast this morning. Now I'm starving!! Everything looks amazing, thats all I have to say!

    [Reply]

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