Classic English High Tea experience at Cinnamon Lakeside

Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo’s popular afternoon high tea will return to the classics with a quintessential English twist this June.

An enticing array of scones and other traditional British classics will be featured during this time.  Tea timers will be treated to such characteristic English dishes as Shepherd’s pie, Victoria sandwich cakes, Old English trifles, lemon meringue pies and baked apple crumble with custard.  

The custom of drinking tea originated in England when Catherine of Braganza married Charles II in 1661 and brought down the practice of drinking tea in the afternoon with her from Portugal. However, according to legend, one of Queen Victoria’s ladies-in-waiting, Anna Maria Stanhope also known as the Duchess of Bedford, is credited as the creator of the concept of ‘afternoon tea’ meal in the mid-1800s.

As the noon meal had become skimpier, the Duchess had suffered from “a sinking feeling” at about four o’clock in the afternoon.  At first, she had her servants sneak a pot of tea and a few breadstuffs to her.  Later, adopting the European tea service format, she invited friends to join her for an additional afternoon meal at five o’clock in her rooms at Belvoir Castle.  

The menu centred around small cakes, bread and butter sandwiches, assorted sweets and of course tea.  This summer practice proved so popular, that the Duchess continued it when she returned to London, sending cards to her friends, asking them to join her for “tea and a walk in the fields.”  The practice of inviting friends to come for tea in the afternoon was quickly picked up by other social hostesses and thus, the afternoon tea was born.

Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo continues this tradition with a daily High Tea where guests are treated to a delightful assortment of sweet and savoury goodies whilst soft piano music completes the ambience at the hotel’s plush Lounge.  The English High Tea in June 2013 is priced at the regular High Tea price of Rs. 1,540 all inclusive.  High Tea takes place on a daily basis from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo.  Due to its popularity, it is strongly advisable to make an early reservation by contacting the Lounge on 2491956.