God Save Afternoon Tea

Busy, busy, busy! I adore being busy, there is nothing like having little calendar boxes to look forward to. Unfortunately busyness can get to the point of consumption; every event becomes another dreaded chore and you feel the calendar grazing your cheek as it flips through your life. At this point I like to organise every meal, because no matter how busy you are, food will need to be consumed for your important continuation in the great calendar of life.

May I suggest, afternoon tea?

May I also suggest that it be at the Hopetoun Tea Rooms in Melbourne's Block Arcade?

My first outing to the the Hopetoun was as an infant in the superior company of mother and grandmama. From then on days in town were always fueled by scones and sandwiches at the Hopetoun. Alas at this bratty age I did not share my mother's love for the place and would frequently whine abominable sentences such as "I want a Happy Meal, such and such plastic figurine is all I will ever want or need in life." Well, maybe I indulge myself and was not quite so polite or philosophical. It still doesn't change the fact that I would drag my patent leather shoes into shreds and sit glaring at the brocade walls as mother tried to force nourishment and refinement into my obstinate self.

Time continues and now I am a young lady who looks and acts a lot like my mother, and therefore delights in afternoon tea at the Hopetoun. Recently being a very busy lady I arranged to kill two birds with one scone (sorry I think puns are scrumptious) and combined mealtime with meeting mother, sadly grandmama passed away in the middle of infancy to now.
We shared a delightful meal of non-stop chatter and gossip, encouraged by the devilishly brocaded walls and unwitting persons who tread the Block Arcade tiles. To nourish I ate three asparagus rolls which were just a bit too heavy with mayonnaise and selected a dessert worth writing about. The Almond and Coconut Cake was heaven with a scoop of ice cream and a fresh strawberry. The texture was smooth and there was no hint of dryness or age. The flavor was not too sweet as is the case with many store dessert cakes, and the ice cream added a lovely base to the delicate coconut/almond combination. After dessert I regretted not getting the cucumber sandwiches which are perfect for summer and would have anticipated the delicateness of the dessert. Mother dearest went very traditional and digested pin wheel sandwiches and almost all of her plum pudding which was particularly fine and filling.

My only warning to other Hopetoun tea goers, is to ask for a jug of hot water with your pot of tea. That way you will get three cups each from the pot, instead of two. Also the service is more casual due to a change in ownership but one must move with the times and be a little more assertive for good service.

Happy Hopetouning!