Cover Lusso’s new afternoon tea service
Lusso’s new afternoon tea service
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Chef Margarita Forés honours her late mother, Baby Araneta-Forés with a new afternoon tea service at Lusso
When chefs cook from the heart, their menus read like a gripping memoir. “I created Lusso as a jewel box fashioned by my childhood memories,” shares Margarita Forés, chef patron and owner of the French-Italian restaurant.
Take, for example, her barquillos cylinders with chive mousse and caviar (a must-try from the aperitifs, as any Lusso regular will tell you), which recall memories of her father snacking on the crispy cigar wafers with the prized delicacy. On the other end of the menu, you’ll find the Pepato millefoglie, which calls back to her well-loved Italian restaurant, Pepato—it’s fragments of Forés’s life story, told through delicious food.
Related: Flavours of my youth: Margarita Forés revisits the dishes that shaped her childhood
Above The afternoon tea service is now available at both Lusso branches
The afternoon tea service is now available at both Lusso branches
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Now, chef Forés honours her mother, the late Baby Araneta-Forés, with a new dining experience near and dear to her heart. “I’ve always wanted to serve a proper afternoon tea at Lusso,” she reveals. “Afternoon tea conjures memories of my mother and I sitting in the lobby of The Peninsula in Hong Kong, leisurely sipping tea and eating perfectly sliced sandwiches and bite-sized cakes and pastries while enjoying the sights and sounds of the bustling lobby.”
While afternoon tea has its roots in British heritage, the elegant tradition has become a global ritual enjoyed in many parts of the world. At Lusso, it is an invitation to unwind, relax, and indulge in life’s delicious luxuries in good company.
Read more: We asked 7 top chefs: What’s the point of pop-ups and collaborations?
Above An elegant display of sweet and savoury treats
Above Classic scones to kick off Lusso’s afternoon tea
An elegant display of sweet and savoury treats
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First comes a selection of teas, ranging from classic to exotic herbal blends. Meanwhile, those after a cheeky tipple can opt for Champagne, an equally desirable choice for easing into the afternoon. As you enjoy your soothing cup or flute of bubbly, one of Lusso’s expert service staff (dressed in their distinguished white cotton jackets) presents you with tiered platters of tempting bites, sweet and savoury.
Excellent scones are not easy to come by, but leave it to Forés to perfect this afternoon tea staple. At Lusso, the scones are classically paired with clotted cream, strawberry jam, and luscious unsalted French butter. Laid on the bottom tier of your set, they are the ideal place to start.
Above A spread of savoury finger sandwiches from Lusso
Above Some of Lusso’s beloved desserts in miniature form for the afternoon tea
A spread of savoury finger sandwiches from Lusso
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Work your way up, and you’ll discover savoury finger sandwiches à la Lusso sophistication: goat cheese and cucumber, devilled egg and watercress, tuna with mayonnaise (homemade, of course) and potato chips, and their spin on the BLT replacing bacon with the Italian pancetta.
Be it brunch, dinner, or afternoon tea, no meal is complete without a sweet ending. At Lusso, afternoon tea culminates with a decadent spread of desserts, including miniature versions of their beloved mocha sans rival, dainty strawberry prosecco tiramisu, Pecorino cheesecake with fresh strawberries, and a trio of fruit tarts elegantly topped with whipped cream.
In focus: Lusso’s tea sandwich with tuna, mayonnaise, and potato chips
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“Whether it’s a mother-son, mother-daughter, father-son, or father-daughter date, a gathering for family and friends, ladies who lunch, or merienda, these are perfect occasions for our afternoon tea at Lusso,” Forés adds, inviting patrons to pamper themselves with this new luxe experience. Designed for individual guests or parties of two, with an optional upgrade for Champagne, the afternoon tea service is now available at Lusso Greenbelt 5 and Lusso Balmori Suites, Mondays to Fridays from 2pm to 5pm.
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About
Lauren’s love for food came much later in life than one would expect— an obsession awakened in the streets of Melbourne’s multicultural dining scene. Armed with this newfound passion, she returned to the Philippines determined to discover the best eats in her home country, with a personal advocacy to champion local cuisines and homegrown talent. Nothing is off-limits; if it’s delicious, it’s worth celebrating.
Work
As Tatler Dining associate editor, Lauren covers all things food and drink, from listing the latest openings in our monthly Dining Radar to interviewing chefs and bartenders about the biggest obstacles crippling the industry today. Beyond the digital space, she also organises Tatler Dining’s tentpole events, including Off Menu and Tatler Dining Kitchen, as well as the annual Tatler Best Philippines awards night and guide launch, detailing the best restaurants in the country.
For leads and event invites, contact her via lauren@tatlerphilippines.com or follow her on Instagram at @laurengolangco.
Photo: Ralph Mendo
