High Tea with a Twist

Photo: The new high tea available at Shelter Italian Bar and Restaurant

Being a lady of leisure guarantees you’ll spend many an afternoon in the comfortable confines of the classy establishments around the city quaffing cups of Earl Grey and gossiping about red-carpet gowns with your girlfriends. If this sounds like a scene out of your regular afternoon routine, you may want to head to SOHO for a change of pace.

Shelter Italian Bar and Restaurant has put an Italian twist in their new high tea (MOP298 + 10% service charge for two), so forget the standard scones and cucumber sandwiches, and instead think parma ham and sun dried tomatoes. The portions are very decently sized, so you can plan on this being a nice lunch, rather than an in-between-meal amuse-bouche. And you may want to bring your man along if you want to polish the whole thing off.

Savory offerings include: a tuna and cheese sandwich; Parma ham-wrapped breadsticks with a drizzle of mayonnaise (perhaps a bit too much for those watching their waistline); a ham and lettuce panino; and our favorite by far, a mini chicken caesar salad with bacon.

Sweets include: four macaroons; a croissant; an apple pastry; chocolate rolls; chocolate-coated strawberries; and of course the most famous of Italian desserts - tiramisu. Tea or coffee is included. Feeling cheeky? Add a glass of red or white wine (+MOP60/each), or a glass of champagne (+MOP160/each). To see the tea set menu click here.

We went on a Sunday afternoon and with the exception of one other table, we had the whole interior to ourselves, which could make for a very romantic experience should you choose to bring your significant other along. If you’re after a livelier time, you may choose to dine “al fresco” on the indoor patio just outside the restaurant which affords an opportunity to indulge in some people watching.

For reservations call (853) 2889 8893

Available daily from 3pm to 6pm

www.facebook.com/macaushelter

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