Delicate treats in shades of pink, red and purple stacked on a three-tiered stand, set the scene for a berry-themed afternoon tea experience in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.
The latest edition of “Afternoon at Westin”, presented by The Living Room in The Westin Kuala Lumpur, celebrates the bright, tart flavours of berries in every bite.
Pastry chef Gilbert Low and his team took care to ensure the sweet and savoury treats retained the natural, vibrant hues of their key ingredients.
To achieve this, berries are showcased in various forms throughout the menu, including fresh and dried fruits, house-made jams and smooth purees.
Guests can begin the leisurely afternoon tea experience with savoury bites such as Herb Cream Cheese Eclair with Cherry Compote, Mixed Berry Tuna Tataki and Cranberry Salsa Smoked Chicken Sandwich.
The sweet delights section is the highlight, featuring a signature dessert and two recommended treats by Low.
“The Cherry Velvet Mousse features a chocolate mousse base and cherry jelly, while the ‘stalk’ on the dessert was inspired by the White Rabbit candy,” he said.
His signature dessert is chocolate mousse, learnt from his mentor, a Malaysian chef now based overseas.
“The Strawberry and White Chocolate Bavarian Mousse is inspired by the Ferrero Rocher chocolate and hazelnut confection.
“This version has strawberry mousse and white chocolate Bavarian cream, and is studded with almond nibs.
“Those who like peanut butter will enjoy the Raspberry Opera Cake, as the raspberry ganache is layered with peanut butter buttercream,” said the 32-year-old, who has eight years of experience under his belt,
Rounding off the sweet delights section are the Blueberry Frangipane Tart, Financier with Mix Berries Compote and Berries Macaron.
Also served are freshly baked Classic Butter Scones and Cranberry Scones, accompanied by house-made strawberry jam and chantilly cream.
A pot of Dilmah floral tea is included in the set, with Low recommending the Ceylon Rose and Mint variant.
“This is a mild black tea infused with rose and mint.
“I like it because it offers a good balance against the sweet treats from the afternoon tea menu,” said Low.
Patience, he said, was a key element for pastry chefs as crafting pastries and confectioneries required extensive trial and error.
The hotel’s afternoon tea menu was unveiled during a “Pink October” event with Gleneagles Hospital Kuala Lumpur, in collaboration with the Breast Cancer Welfare Association of Malaysia (BCWA) and Cancer Research Malaysia.
BCWA conducted breast screenings for hotel employees and guests, while both organisations shared insights into their respective efforts to support breast cancer patients and advance cancer research in Malaysia.
The hospital’s consultant oncoplastic and reconstructive breast and endocrine surgeon Dr Suraya Baharudin also delivered a talk on the importance of early detection.
The berry-themed afternoon tea set is priced at RM128nett for two persons.
It is served Sundays to Thursdays, from 1pm to 6pm, and Fridays and Saturdays, from 1pm to 5pm.
Guests who purchase the set until Oct 30 will receive a RM50 voucher for the ultrasound breast and 3D mammogram package under Gleneagles Hospital Kuala Lumpur’s Pink October screening promotion.
In return, patients who undergo breast screening at the hospital during the campaign period will receive a 35% discount voucher for the hotel’s afternoon tea set.
THE LIVING ROOM, Level UG, The Westin Kuala Lumpur, 199 Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur. (Tel: 03-2731 8333). Business hours: 6am-10.30pm.
This is the writer’s observation and is not an endorsement by StarMetro.
