Morag Bootland heads to the capital to spend an afternoon in the lap of luxury sampling SUSHISAMBA’s decadent new Champagne Afternoon Tea.
When you think of afternoon tea what springs to mind? Boujee wee sarnies with the crusts neatly trimmed off, scones with lashings of jam and cream (or cream and jam depending on where your allegiance lies) and maybe a macaron or a bite-sized sponge cake?
All very well, and all very tasty. But SUSHISAMBA, situated on the 10th floor of the W Hotel – and with some of the most impressive views of Edinburgh out there – has ripped up the rule book with its new Champagne Afternoon Tea menu. SUSHISAMBA’s Japanese, Peruvian and Brazilian influences all come into play on a beautifully hand-crafted tea stand, designed especially to showcase a range of luxurious bite-sized treats.
We kick off with a glass of chilled Laurent-Perrier Brut while we catch up on the latest gossip and peruse the range of Canton Teas that span everything from the more traditional Earl Grey and English Brekky to a Matcha Ceremonial and a Jasmine tea from the Yunnan Province. I’m sold on the latter, which is delicate and floral, while Helen plumps for the Matcha Ceremonial, which is prepared at the table and is strong and earthy.
As the impressive tea stand arrives our waiter gives us an incredibly eloquent run down of each component. It’s a lot to remember and we get stuck in before we forget what everything is. The crisp green bean tempura with an umami-rich truffle mayo go down a storm, like chips, only (slightly) healthier. Accompanying them in the savoury section is a melt-in-the-mouth A5 Wagyu Tartare (A5 is a grading of the quality of the beef, and this is the best of the best), topped with caviar just in case it wasn’t quite luxurious enough already. My personal favourite was the Samba Edinburgh Roll, with its buttery whisky-cured Scottish salmon, snow crab, avocado and crisp tempura flakes. But there’s more to please seafood lovers with a meaty braised Octopus Takoyaki Bun, Yellowtail Tetsu and a delicately spiced Tuna Waffle.
For my fellow scone fans, you’ll be pleased to hear that you won’t go without. You can choose to have your scone whenever you like – before you begin (which would be weird, right), after your savouries, or after your sweets. Our still warm, billowy soft vanilla scones arrived in a bamboo steamer basket with a generous helping of jam and cream. Bliss!
Topped up on tea and bubbles we prepare to demolish some of the prettiest miniature desserts I’ve ever laid eyes on. The Dulcey Chocolate Taco sandwiched between chocolate sable biscuits sits atop the stand, it’s decadently rich and so chocolatey I swear it sends a wee shiver of pleasure down my spine. There’s a pretty Brazilian Nut Tart and a Nashi Pear and Caramel Mousse, but I’ve saved the best for last with the Rhubarb and Custard Parfait, which is sweet and tart and simple exploding with flavour.
While it’s hard to pick a favourite on the food front, there’s no doubt that the service at SUSHISAMBA makes a visit an absolute joy from the minute you step out of the lift. We were so very well looked after and incredibly impressed with the young waiting team who were personable, attentive and generally lovely.
If you’ve had one too many mini sandwiches and are looking for a decadent alternative to a traditional afternoon tea with great fusion food, views to die for and some of the best service in the capital then this is certainly one for your bucket list.
Afternoon Tea at SUSHISAMBA is served from 12pm to 4pm and costs £75 per person, or £65 for the vegetarian option, including a glass of Laurent Perrier Brut. Or you can upgrade to Laurent Perrier Grand Siècle for £100.
1 Saint James Square Edinburgh EH1 3AX, Tel:
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