An Elegant St. Regis Kuala Lumpur’s Afternoon Tea for the Modern Mrs. Astor
For fans of the HBO drama series The Gilded Age, or those captivated by 19th-century American history in general, the name Caroline Astor carries a certain resonance. She came from a lineage rooted in New York City’s illustrious Dutch aristocracy and was the mother of St. Regis founder, John Jacob Astor IV.
Among the echelons of Manhattan’s elite, she held court as the ultimate authority, wielding prestige so formidable that an invitation to Mrs. Astor’s ball was the golden ticket to society. And oh, her fondness for afternoon teas was as legendary as her social eminence.
Hence, as I was stepping into the opulent confines of The St. Regis Kuala Lumpur, I couldn’t help but ponder what would Mrs. Astor make of this establishment. Would she lavish it with approval? I certainly believe she would.
The Drawing Room, for instance, which is the setting for the hotel’s sumptuous afternoon tea, exudes old-money opulence melded with understated design. The room is adorned with magnificent chandeliers, lofty walls, and floor-to-ceiling windows that conjure an intimate, romantic ambiance especially on rainy days. Notably commanding attention is the specially commissioned 2.5-tonne sculpture, ‘Horse’ by Fernando Botero, lending an artistic allure reminiscent of an exclusive gallery.
With the festive season on the horizon, The St. Regis Kuala Lumpur extends an invitation to guests to immerse themselves in the holiday cheer, perhaps relish in polite gossiping while at it, and delight in the meticulously crafted petit fours by Executive Pastry Chef Graff Kwok via the hotel’s latest Festive Afternoon Tea offerings.
Beginning with the three-tiered snack tower, each layer presents festive offerings: impeccably crafted crustless egg truffle mayo sandwiches; snow crab tartlets with yuzu pearls and citrus mayonnaise; foie gras mousse cones with orange marmalade; turkey sausages paired with braised red cabbage and cranberry chutney; and celeriac with truffle croquettes — all of which are generously refillable for duos who choose to partake in this tempting session.
The dessert selection is a visual delight, featuring a Polar Bear sculpted from white chocolate; the dark chocolate mousse Christmas Cracker; Christmas Tree biscuits; a Gift Box crafted from milk chocolate montée; and my personal highlight, the multi-textured Pink Bauble, a confectionery marvel comprising raspberry mousse, raspberry and rose jelly, and vanilla sponge.
But leave a pocket of space in your stomach for the dainty Festive Tarts (additional MYR43 each), especially the chestnut variant, for they are a sheer delight! Guests can also choose from the extensive tea range, including The St. Regis Kuala Lumpur Exclusive House Blend of premium green tea leaves and hibiscus petals. They could even elevate their high tea experience by incorporating champagne. For those arriving with children, consider ordering the exclusive St. Regis Nutcracker Bear, a thoughtful and charming gift for young ones.
Upon concluding this delightful affair, why not take a leisurely stroll around the lobby to admire the impressive art collection curated by the hotel’s owners? My personal favourite among them are the striking masterpieces by Andy Warhol, inspired by the fairy tales penned by Danish author, Hans Christian Andersen.
With refined offerings and gorgeous interior, a peaceful evening at The Drawing Room in The St. Regis Kuala Lumpur is as glass slipper as you can get. Classy surrounds, stellar service, delicious pastries and a range of premium teas make for a truly excellent high tea experience that I genuinely believe is the perfect setting for special celebrations, or even a quiet afternoon to reward oneself.
Festive Afternoon Tea
The Drawing Room, Lobby Level
Daily: 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.; 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.; 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
MYR168 nett per person
MYR258 nett per person (with one The St. Regis Nutcracker Bear)
MYR298 nett per person (with one glass of champagne)
For bookings and more information, please call +603 2727 6696, or email dining.kualalumpur@stregis.com.
About The Author
Officially a Deputy Editor with over 10 years in travel media. Unofficially? A professional suitcase overpacker with a knack for turning chance encounters and itineraries into vivid, story-driven features. When not fine-tuning articles, she's likely front row at a concert, taste-testing something spicy, or deep in a conversation that veered wonderfully off-topic.
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