Cortile Lounge (High Coffee)
Image: Arriving at the InterContinental, I pause momentarily to scan the lobby for my coffee date. A well-groomed man softly glides to my elbow to inquire, in dulcet tones, as to whether I require assistance. This standard of responsiveness continues into High Coffee ($55/person), taken in the Cortile Lounge.
Arriving at the InterContinental, I pause momentarily to scan the lobby for my coffee date. A well-groomed man softly glides to my elbow to enquire, in dulcet tones, as to whether I require assistance. This standard of responsiveness continues into High Coffee ($55/person), taken in the Cortile Lounge. It’s an afternoon tea that takes everyone else’s three-tiered platter, and throws in two more tiers – delivering handsomely on your spend. Stefano Manfredi’s coffee comes up well in the opening espresso martini, served with an array of sandwiches. It’s a wee bit jarring against smoked salmon on rye with mascarpone and preserved lemon, but suits a panini of wagyu beef, cucumber and watercress. In the face of such generosity, it’s gauche to quibble over a less-than-perfect scone. I would rather celebrate the joyous green apple sorbet palate cleanser, which summoned my grandmother’s applesauce; so I was chuffed to hear it’s a recipe from Executive Sous Chef Julien Pouteau’s own family. Move on to a ripper salted caramel éclair against the hotel’s signature Caffè Corretto (a shot of espresso ‘corrected’ with a shot of grappa) and you’ll definitely leave this innovative reply to Sydney’s epidemic of high teas buzzing. Just don’t make a dinner reservation – you probably won’t need it.
Cortile Lounge
Intercontinental Sydney, 117 Macquarie Street, Circular Quay
Ph: (02) 9240 1396 www.interconsydney.com.au
High Tea $$$
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