For maximum indulgence the MacAlister Mansion High Tea is the perfect cure for a balmy afternoon Tai Tai tête-à-tête.
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Macalister Mansion
Macalister Mansion is a stately all-white mansion, befitting of a luxury boutique café in a hotel.
The high tea set here differs from those faux gold-gilded three-tier high tea racks and golden cake stands that shout BLING.
I am unsure about you, but I find these over-the-top and “in-your-face” displays rather intrusive.
Tea parties are lovely when we can sit across each other and have a beautiful afternoon Tai Tai tête-à-tête without obstructions.
Instead, the attentive staff will serve High Tea with a simple rectangular wooden tray to match small appetizer-sized bites.
We want a tea time treat for two to share a pot of Tea, delicious bites, meaningful conversations (or gossip – whatever floats your boat, Hunny!)
Suppose you’re looking for a pleasant environment, more Tea (I’m a coffee gal), scones, and dainty little cream cakes. In that case, this is a perfect afternoon escape from the heat in George Town.
We stopped at Macalister Mansion to enjoy their high Tea on a rainy Friday afternoon.
Lay Ean and I meet yearly to celebrate our birthdays, and indeed, MacAlister Mansion is the “best afternoon tea in Penang.”
MacAlister Mansion is the all-white mansion befitting of a luxury boutique café in a hotel. Photo: Macalister Mansion Facebook
The Living Room at the Macalister Mansion
The Living Room is an all-day dining and casual space.
The menu is a selection of local cuisine and international flavors.
Guests enjoy an indulgent high tea with savories and pastries with a wide selection of beverages, including TWG teas.
Continue reading our Macalister Mansion High Tea Review.
Time flies.
SmartDory had ranked Macalister Mansion as one of the best for a luxurious tea time experience back in 2019.
I was on a mission to look forward to tasting the best scones in Penang back then.
Two years later, the Atas venue has not only maintained but made the experience even more incredible with well-prepared scrumptious treats.
When I started calling the set afternoon tea, most Penangites didn’t understand.
They corrected me, saying, “Oh, you mean the high tea, Dory.”
On second thought, it didn’t hurt if you want to call it High Tea, either.
The Savory Tray –
The atmosphere at the Macalister Mansion
The décor of the Living Room is visually appealing as you step in.
Everything is pulled together elegantly.
The Macalister Mansion is a popular spot with people on dates and business people for afternoon indulgences.
I was lucky that Lay Ean managed to have a table booked for us.
If you want to walk in, I’m afraid the Living Room is packed most of the time, especially on weekends – be sure to book ahead to avoid disappointment.
A minimum of 1 day before reservation is required.
The Macalister Mansion’s Living Room was abuzz with fellow diners out for tea-time treats.
Even though the Living Room was fully occupied, it wasn’t too noisy.
We could have a decent conversation.
We sat near the entrance with lovely light pouring in for a nice photoshoot.
Looking out, what started as an obvious day turned from an afternoon drizzle to an isolated downpour.
The past week’s weather got hot, with the temperature hovering around 32C and a humidity of 67%.
Today’s drizzle was a welcome respite.
The Sweet Tray is so pretty!
TWG Tea Selection at the Macalister Mansion High Tea
You can choose TWG, a high-quality tea brand at the Macalister Mansion High Tea.
You get a large pot of TWG tea, perfectly made for two people to share.
The TWG Tea has an excellent selection of
• Morrocan Mint
• Camomile
• Jasmine Green Tea
• Earl Grey
• Oolong
• English Breakfast
I selected Earl Grey.
Lay Ean ordered a Black Coffee.
Macalister Mansion High Tea Menu
The menu changes seasonally.
The Garden of Spring Menu, the decorations are flower-themed with sugar gum paste flowers and even a little cutie bee.
Unlike fondant, sugar gum paste flowers dry hard and hold their shape well.
Savories
1. Crab Croquette with Tobikko and Bonito Mayo
2. Beef Taco Grilled Cheese Sandwich
3. Smoked Duck Asparagus Roll With Olive Sand*
L to R: Pina Colada Shooter, Crab Croquette with Tobikko and Bonito Mayo/Smoked Duck Asparagus Roll With Olive Sand* and Hojicha Éclair*
Sweets for Sweeties
1. Blood Orange Basil Lollipop*
2. Hojicha Éclair*
3. Pina Colada Shooter
4. Foret Noire
5. Tiramisu Dates Crème Brûlée
6. Scallion Scones With Cheese Spread
L to R: Foret Noire, Pina Colada Shooter, and Scallion Scones With Cheese Spread.
Add On: If you like to drink something other than tea or coffee
A glass of Moscato Wine RM30.
We enjoyed the tranquillity of the pretty Spring Season set with savories and petite treats.
The most decadent dishes on the wooden tray would be these
Smoked Duck Asparagus Roll With Olive Sand*
We loved the tender baby Asparagus wrapped in Smoked Duck on a bed of Black Olive Sand.
I particularly like the Olive Sand, which reminds me of Black Olive Tapenade—a savory paste made from olives, capers, and anchovies that are delicious and served on toast or as a dip.
Blood Orange Basil Lollipop*
Combining fresh-squeezed Blood Orange juice and fresh basil leaves into a bite-sized lollipop is fantastic.
The Sorbet was cold enough to give me a brain freeze.
Now, if only there were orange liqueur (Cointreau), that would be heady in the afternoon to suck on the ice lolly!
Blood Orange Basil Lollipop with that cutie bee!
Scones at the Macalister Mansion High Tea
As for the scones, they are now Scallion Scones with Cheese Spread.
The Scallion Scones were fragrant and tasted good but floury instead of buttery.
I finished half.
The previous incarnation was two-bite-miniature raisin scones accompanied by homemade strawberry jam and butter.
I would have preferred Salted Butter, Strawberry Conserve, and Clotted Cream (not that there was any!)
Yes, I’m still stubborn about the kind of scones I love.
The Macalister Mansion Afternoon Tea Set costs RM128+ per set for two.
The Menu.
The Debate Continues – Is It High Tea or Afternoon Tea?
Outside of the United Kingdom, most people refer to afternoon tea as ‘high tea.’
Most people subscribe to the idea that high tea is a meal that serves scones and finger sandwiches, but this isn’t correct in the historical sense.
What Is Afternoon Tea?
Afternoon tea, also known as ‘low tea,’ is typically served mid-afternoon.
It was traditionally served on low tables.
An afternoon tea menu is lighter and focuses on scones and finger sandwiches.
Favorite teas include
• Earl Grey
• Assam
• Chamomile and
• Mint.
What Is A High Tea?
Traditionally, High Teas are a working-class family meal served on a high table at the end of the workday, shortly after 5 pm.
High Tea is the opposite of afternoon tea, which is more of an elite social gathering.
High Tea was heavy meal meat, fish dishes, and baked goods, including casseroles and baked beans.
The dishes include
• steak and kidney pie
• pickled salmon
• crumpets
• potatoes or onion cakes
• baked beans and
• cheesy casseroles
In Malaysia, the traditional rules don’t apply, and the dishes are intertwined.
The “casual supper with heavier dishes” is served in miniature bite sizes at the Macalister Mansion.
Whatever floats your boat – the Macalister Mansion is the most instagrammable place to enjoy a merry little feast.
Macalister Mansion High Tea Review
Overall, the living room offers a pleasant ambiance for dining with the high tea set, making a list of Penang’s best afternoon teas.
If you like eating a selection of savories and sweets, the high Tea would be suitable for an afternoon delight.
The two trays of goodies are more than enough.
We couldn’t finish everything and left behind the Crème Brûlée.
Hojicha Éclair is superb!
Final Thoughts Macalister Mansion High Tea
The service at the Macalister Mansion is excellent, and the wait staff is attentive.
On the same note, the presentation is picture-perfect for INSTAGRAM.
The taste of each delicious morsel and be described as delectable and surprising.
There is no shortage of little cafes in George Town that compete on an even keel and try to seduce with impeccable tastes.
Most certainly, the High Tea is to be experienced, not missed and comes warmly recommended.
The flower-themed Garden of Spring Menu is available from March to May 2021 from Tuesday to Sunday, 2 pm to 5 pm.
A minimum of 1 day before reservation is required.
More info here
The Living Room
Macalister Mansion
Operation hours: 8:00 am – 12:00 am (7 days a week)
Contact: 04-228 3888 WhatsApp +60 12-526 1630.
Address: 228, Jalan Macalister 10400, Penang
GPS: 5.4189103,100.3165523
great place, I can plan to bring my family go enjoy high tea already.
Sure, I see many people bring their babies to enjoy too. Have a fun day!