We went to Fosters English Rose Cafe at Holland Village yesterday, intending to do dinner, but since it was only around five when we reached there, we had the afternoon tea instead. Fosters is a quaint-looking little cafe, with the interior decoration of a little English village house. It has dim-lighting with wooden tables and chairs, and an alfresco area with a fountain. A pity I was not able to take any photos though!
We ordered the Devonshire Cream Tea, one of the classic English Afternoon teas. As typical of an English afternoon tea, there was a pot of either coffee or tea (where we both took English breakfast tea), scones, sandwiches and cakes, with butter, strawberry coulis and Devonshire cream as spreads.
Unfortunately, the savouries were served in a big plate. In a real English afternoon tea setting (like the one at the Courtyard of Fullerton Hotel), the savouries would be served in a three-tiered tray, with the spreads in individual jars on a separate tray. Tea would be in a pot, and there would be a jar containing sugar cubes and another jar of milk to go with the tea.
Fosters has a very creative menu in the format of a newspaper. On the front of back covers are articles on the history of Fosters as well as the etiquette of drinking tea, and inside is the full menu.
While waiting for our orders, I read the whole thing. I wonder if I am the only one who actually bothers to read things like that? Even when I was in McDonalds or KFC, whenever the paper covering the tray has an interesting article, I would read the whole thing. Most just cannot be bothered.
I found out the etiquette of drinking tea, as well as the difference between high tea and afternoon tea. I have always known these two are different, as I thought English afternoon tea is just that whereas a high tea consists of a buffet meal, but the origins are quite interesting, which will be left for another post.
Meanwhile, the tips to drinking tea are :
1. If you want to add sugar and milk into the tea, then stir it lightly with the spoon without touching the sides of the cup.
2. Always add in the sugar and milk later. Do not add in the milk first before pouring in the tea.
3. Always add in milk, not cream, as cream would be too heavy for tea.
4. After stirring, put the spoon down on the right side of the sauce below the handle of the tea cup.
5. Never drink the tea with the spoon in it, and never sip the tea from the spoon.
6. Hold the handle of the tea cup with your index finger, the thumb resting on the top of the handle and the middle finger below the handle. Clasp your last two fingers into your palm. Never hold the handle with the last two fingers pointing out.
7. When drinking tea, hold the tea cup with the saucer together (with the other hand). Never hold the tea cup and drink just like that. The saucer is to hold any spills just in case.
I will not mind going there again, just to try out the dinner or lunch menu next time round!
Cuisine : English
Food : 3 out of 5
Presentation : 2 out of 5
Ambience : 4 out of 5
Price : 3.5 out of 5
We ordered the Devonshire Cream Tea, one of the classic English Afternoon teas. As typical of an English afternoon tea, there was a pot of either coffee or tea (where we both took English breakfast tea), scones, sandwiches and cakes, with butter, strawberry coulis and Devonshire cream as spreads.
Unfortunately, the savouries were served in a big plate. In a real English afternoon tea setting (like the one at the Courtyard of Fullerton Hotel), the savouries would be served in a three-tiered tray, with the spreads in individual jars on a separate tray. Tea would be in a pot, and there would be a jar containing sugar cubes and another jar of milk to go with the tea.
Fosters has a very creative menu in the format of a newspaper. On the front of back covers are articles on the history of Fosters as well as the etiquette of drinking tea, and inside is the full menu.
While waiting for our orders, I read the whole thing. I wonder if I am the only one who actually bothers to read things like that? Even when I was in McDonalds or KFC, whenever the paper covering the tray has an interesting article, I would read the whole thing. Most just cannot be bothered.
I found out the etiquette of drinking tea, as well as the difference between high tea and afternoon tea. I have always known these two are different, as I thought English afternoon tea is just that whereas a high tea consists of a buffet meal, but the origins are quite interesting, which will be left for another post.
Meanwhile, the tips to drinking tea are :
1. If you want to add sugar and milk into the tea, then stir it lightly with the spoon without touching the sides of the cup.
2. Always add in the sugar and milk later. Do not add in the milk first before pouring in the tea.
3. Always add in milk, not cream, as cream would be too heavy for tea.
4. After stirring, put the spoon down on the right side of the sauce below the handle of the tea cup.
5. Never drink the tea with the spoon in it, and never sip the tea from the spoon.
6. Hold the handle of the tea cup with your index finger, the thumb resting on the top of the handle and the middle finger below the handle. Clasp your last two fingers into your palm. Never hold the handle with the last two fingers pointing out.
7. When drinking tea, hold the tea cup with the saucer together (with the other hand). Never hold the tea cup and drink just like that. The saucer is to hold any spills just in case.
I will not mind going there again, just to try out the dinner or lunch menu next time round!
Cuisine : English
Food : 3 out of 5
Presentation : 2 out of 5
Ambience : 4 out of 5
Price : 3.5 out of 5
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