This is Not Your Grandmother's High Tea: Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff Johannesburg Launches a Contemporary Afternoon Tea

Once a favourite pastime of the Victorian aristocracy in England, afternoon tea has recently been experiencing a global renaissance: a leisurely ritual savoured by discerning palates from around the world.

As Joburg’s streets become ablaze in purple, Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff Johannesburg celebrates this beautiful blooming with the launch of a decadent jacaranda-themed contemporary afternoon tea.

“This sumptuous treat is not your granny’s high tea,” says the Hotel’s General Manager Sebastien Carre. “It’s an unashamedly modern feast – and every bit as vibrant as the city it calls home.”

As guests admire the unmatched panoramas of Joburg below – an exquisite patchwork of jacarandas and urban bustle – the hardest part of the afternoon is deciding which of the 14 TWG loose-leaf teas to enjoy: whether the Breakfast Zulu Tea, the Ti Kian Yin (a blue tea) or the Red Christmas Tea.

Guests can choose between a sweet option, which offers six delectable sweet treats and three savoury items, and the savoury stand, which promises six savoury and three sweet morsels.

For those with a sweet tooth, there are seasonal macaroons worthy of Versailles, including classics such as the freshly baked scones and the sublimely indulgent Westcliff Éclair – featuring choux pastry stuffed with praliné mousseline and caramelised popcorn.

On the savoury side of things, the mouth-watering selection includes monarch prawns crumbed in coconut and Thai avo relish, and foie gras crème brûlée with fig compote orange zest and gingerbread soldiers.

The afternoon tea costs ZAR 395 per person and is available from Monday to Thursday at View Restaurant from 2:30 to 5:00 pm.

Groups of more than ten guests will be hosted in one of View’s two contemporary private dining rooms and more traditional afternoon tea parties will be held at the nearby Jacaranda Hill venue, which also enjoys equally spectacular views of the Joburg skyline.

Guests can make reservations on line at www.viewrestaurant.co.za or contact the catering department directly on maxine.glover@fourseasons.com for special occasion group functions.