Following right after women, it is arguably afternoon tea that is a match made in heaven when paired with fine jewellery. The two just naturally go together -- where the decorative nature of afternoon tea sets make it the perfect canvas to recreate the daintiness of jewellery pieces.
You may have seen tea sets themed with that little blue box before elsewhere in Bangkok, but this month, St. Regis offers its latest tea collaboration, with a more Eastern feel. Adding a touch of Chinese charm to your afternoon tea, the 5-star hotel pairs up with fine-jewellery brand Qeelin, known for its merging of contemporary craftsmanship and cultural inspiration from Asia. Dennis Chan, a Hong Kong jewellery designer, founded the brand in 2004 to bring the aesthetics of Chinese good-luck charms and playful motifs not usually seen in the fine jewellery circle by pairing it up with the know-how of French jewellery makers. Today, the brand is under the Kering Group, which owns other big names like Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Balenciaga and Boucheron. Qeelin may be a lesser-known name, but if there's nothing you love more than cute, cuddly pandas and Chinese-oriented details, look no farther.
Qeelin Afternoon Tea Set.
Set against an outstanding view of the verdant Royal Bangkok Sports Club, the specially created bites are served on a bright gourd-shaped stand, a signature symbol from Qeelin's collections. Cherished for its association with good fortune, positive energy and lines that echo the curves of the desired number 8, the Wulu gourd is not just a colourful photo-op, as it also brings vibes of prosperity. Classic savouries don't get any Qeelin touch, this being the Boston lobster and tom yum mayo soft roll; duck liver mousse profiterole with coconut; Norwegian salmon gravlax on rye bread; salami mustard butter pretzel roll; and an eggshell filled with black truffle paste, caviar and egg mayonnaise. These bites are as delicious as can be expected, but it'll have to be in the pastries where one gets a more Eastern kick.
Three of the desserts will be referencing the Qeelin mood and tone with the use of the brand's main colours of fiery red and black, with gold representing wealth in Asian culture. A raspberry glazed tart with gianduja cream is a nod to the Wulu collection. To commemorate the Year of the Dog and to allude to the Wang Wang collection (apparently that's the sound dogs bark in Chinese), a mandarin-flavoured cake is laced with gold-covered chocolate and a dog-emblazoned macaron. The black is epitomised in the sugar panda sitting on top of the chocolate ginger cream and chocolate mousse. While cancelling the sweetness of other desserts, this uncommon combination with ginger is the very food version of what the brand represents: merging Chinese ingredients with Western traditions for a refined mash-up of East and West. Even if you don't eat the adorable panda, he may just keep you company forever, like the Bo Bo 18k gold necklace charm he was based on -- because sugar figurines can be kept and displayed after a bit of clear lacquer spray. After that and all the scones and coffee or TWG tea you've packed in, your designer bites don't have to end at the Drawing Room, as the set also includes a complimentary Qeelin gift certificate to be redeemed at the Sette Peccati boutique in Siam Paragon.
The Qeelin Afternoon Tea set is 1,800 baht for two. Served daily from 2-5pm at the St. Regis Bar and the Drawing Room, St. Regis Bangkok. Available until the end of July. For reservations, call 02-207-7777.
