Festive Afternoon Tea | Rosewood Abu Dhabi

“Tis the season to be jolly, Fa, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la! Fill the meadcup, drain the barrel.” Thomas Oliphant

If like me you have a December birthday you have to accept that it always has a festive feel, whether you like it or not everyone is in full Christmas mode and that applies to many dining options too. The teenager returned home from university just in time to join me in an afternoon of birthday indulgence of sweet and savoury Christmassy treats at the Rosewood Abu Dhabi.

This charming hotel oozes sophistication from every pore, it may be relatively new with a modern design but it has a timeless elegance which adds to its appeal and resonates through every outlet. Afternoon tea is served daily in the Majlis Lobby Lounge, the elegant and comfortable grand living room that’s bathed in natural light from its floor-to-ceiling windows that also offer a stunning backdrop across the water.

I like my afternoon tea to have simple touches, if there are crustless finger sandwiches with classic fillings and freshly baked scones I’m a happy bunny. Less creativity and more tradition is my benchmark for a good afternoon tea, after all why mess with such a delightful concept but having said that I’m always up for a glass of bubbly to jazz things up a little.

Getting into the yuletide spirit at the Rosewood is easy, a large beautifully decorated Christmas tree sits at the entrance to the Majlis, the pianist is playing a medley of christmas tunes with gusto and of course the festive menu is full of tasty seasonal inspired delicacies.

The Rosewood Festive Afternoon Tea features savoury options of pear and blue cheese crostini, roast beef and watercress tartine (the teenagers favourite which apparently tasted like a roast dinner in a bite) and whipped brie with cranberry focaccia (festively delicious) were all devoured at record speed. This was followed by the swift consumption of all the finger sandwiches, honey glazed turkey and mustard, smoked salmon citrus crème fraiche and the vegetarian option of cream cheese and cucumber.

The delicious light and fluffy buttermilk raisin scones with clotted Cream and strawberry jam were accompanied at our request by a good old cup of English breakfast tea. The sweet indulgence continued with mini mince pies with brandy sauce, caramel coffee yule log, white chocolate orange opera cake, iced gingerbread and tiny tangy lemon tarts. At this stage we admitted defeat and had some of the little cakes boxed to take home to eat later.

Get into the Christmas spirit at the Rosewood Abu Dhabi with its festive afternoon tea which is available until 26th December, it’s the perfect pre-Christmas treat with friends or family and after all tis the season to stuff yourself silly.

Festive Afternoon Tea

Location: Majlis Lounge, Rosewood Abu Dhabi, Al Maryah Island

Telephone: 02 813 55 52

Time: 3:00pm to 6:00pm

The festive afternoon tea will be available until 26th December

Cost*: AED 135 per guest and AED 195 per guest Inclusive of glass of bubbly

(*subject to 10% service, 6% tourism fee and 4% municipality fee)

Read more about the Rosewood Abu Dhabi in previous posts Iftar at Sambusek, Rosewood Abu Dhabi and Burgers & Chateaux at La Cava