Lenotre High Tea, Phillip St, Sydney

Lenotre High Tea, Phillip St, Sydney

Sunday 29 April, 2007

My last visit here was so good that I vowed to return - sooner rather than later. Today's occasion was a pre-Mother's Day outing. I knew this venue would be a winner so was very confident that Mum would love every minute of it............and she did!

We arrived in the refurbished Sofitel Wentworth foyer and wandered past the shops, art gallery, stunning yellow flowers on display and enormous chandeliers in the reception area to the Lounge Bar. It was almost empty and we were led to our table near the window. The decor in the Lounge Bar is warm in dark chocolate, cream and beige colours and offers a range of deep sunken lounge chairs, low rise lounges and dining chairs. Our chairs were so comfortable we almost sank into them and didn't want to leave.

Eager to share this experience with my Mum we read the small cards placed on each table that explain the Lenotre experience and the brief on Mark Stone (pictured).

"French haute cuisine, Lenôtre, now at Sofitel Wentworth Sydney. Sofitel Wentworth Sydney is thrilled to launch the French haute cuisine brand, Lenôtre, in Australia, through its much-celebrated Chef Pâtissier, Mark Stone. Sydney is one of only a select number of cities, outside of France, to offer Lenôtre.

Mark spent three months at the Lenôtre professional culinary school, earning his certification to produce the cakes, pastries and desserts exclusively for Sofitel Wentworth Sydney. Mark is currently the only chef in Australia to have accredited Lenôtre certification. He will return to France annually for new product development.

The Lenôtre experience is heightened through the attention, which is paid to every detail, from the delicate cakes and pastries down to the beautifully designed, tiered perspex display tree, in Lenôtre signature colours, on which the afternoon tea is served."

We ordered coffee then sat in anticipation of the delivery of our Lenotre experience. After about 30 minutes the tray arrived and looked really impressive. As was to be expected my Mum asked the staff if there were any low fat options, fat free etc. This is always said in good humour as my Mum has a sweet tooth but does throw some staff off as they are unsure of how to answer (e.g. no, it actually full of fat and the calories are through the roof or........ of course, everything on display is fat free - enjoy!).

The tiered perspex tray consisted of:

- Cone au Chocolat - A rich dark chocolate cone filled with luscious berries and served with cream

- Macaronades - Macaroons made of soft almond meringue filled with fresh raspberries and lemon curd

- Tarte au Citron - The classic French lemon tart, sweet pastry filled with almond and lemon cream, topped with lemon meringue

- Opéra - Chocolate pastry with layers of almond biscuit, decadent chocolate ganache with coffee butter cream and topped with gold leaf

- Camaïeu - Layers of chocolate sponge flavoured with marzipan in between layers of dark and milk chocolate mousse topped with ivory Chantilly cream

- Ambiance - Layers of vanilla Bavarian cream, with fruits of the forest jelly and caramelized hazelnuts

- Scones Jam & Cream - Traditionally baked scones with homemade jam and cream

- Assorted Finger Sandwiches

- Mariage Frêres Tea & Vittoria Espresso Coffee

We enjoyed every mouthful and I'm pleased to share that we both agreed that the Opera cake was the most spectacular offering. Yum! I'll be back.

Lenotre High Tea, Sofitel Wentworth - 61-101 Phillip St, Sydney - (02) 9228 9104

http://www.sofitelsydney.com.au/sydney_hotel/lenotre.html