1.) Is there any location that offers traditional British High/Afternoon tea (with scones/cookies/or similiar)?

2.) Any recommendations for excellent tea shops (mainly Green tea/Oolong tea)?

The Raffles Hotel is famous for its Asian version of afternoon tea. You can have it seated at little tea tables (and these tend to book up fast) or in the bar with the billiard table where supposedly a tiger was found a hundred years or so ago. I prefer the bar, with its comfy sofas and squishy chairs.

The tea has most of the traditional British tea acommpaniments, and many more - dim sum, tiny curry flavored pies, and on and on. I usually pig out on the fresh strawberries and whipped cream. The food is on a buffet, is constantly replenished, and you are allowed to linger as long as you want.

If you go to Singapore at a busy time of year, you should book your tea ahead. The Raffles tea is justifiably very popular.

I've also had afternoon tea in the Westin (now under new management, I believe) that is across the street from the Raffles. I believe the restaurant is called Compass Rose, and it is in one of the top floors.

Because of Singapore's British past, I suspect you'll find afternoon tea at a good many places.

[This message has been edited by SanDiego1K (edited 05-28-2002).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by LH738:
1.) Is there any location that offers traditional British High/Afternoon tea (with scones/cookies/or similiar)?</font>

Second SanDiego1K's rec of Raffles, I don't believe there is a hotel w/more history in SIN. Enjoy.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">2.) Any recommendations for excellent tea shops (mainly Green tea/Oolong tea)?</font>

Anything we bought in the Chinatown section was great. We were in sooo many shops, I could not name any specifically.

I had afternoon tea with an orangutan at the singapore zoo. It was great--the food was no where near the Raffles quality but the company (the orangutan) was fun. I got to hold him & carry him around. Call the zoo for times if you're interested. I think they also offer breakfast with an orangutan.
I'm sure that this is not what you had in mind but hey----you can have a normal tea anywhere.

Is there any dress code for the Raffles? (Some locations in Britain do have a dress code for High/Afternoon Tea.)

I don't remember a dress code for Raffles. Singapore is so hot, that they certainly can't impose the jacket requirement of Browns in London. Still, I tend to be a fairly classic dresser, so never have pushed the casual barriers.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by corky:
I had afternoon tea with an orangutan at the singapore zoo. It was great--the food was no where near the Raffles quality but the company (the orangutan) was fun.</font>Oh, Oh, Oh... I want to do this! http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/biggrin.gif

No shorts at Raffles. No tshirts, flip-flops, etc., as I recall, too. It's the Raj, after all.

If you take tea or breakfast at the zoo, watch the Orang pop open a durian with his hands. Don't try this at home.

There's decent tea at the Fullerton, my wife and her pals say.
Rich

By the way, here's the S'pore zoo's Breakfast/Tea link.
http://www.zoo.com.sg/feature/tea/c-tea.htm

This is easy to organize yourself. Don't both going through the hotel tour operator. Just take a taxi out to the zoo.
Rich

Afternoon Tea with an OrangUtan for only 13SGD! http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/eek.gif

This could be the best deal in the country! http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/biggrin.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by chexfan:
Afternoon Tea with an OrangUtan for only 13SGD! http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/eek.gif

This could be the best deal in the country! http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/biggrin.gif</font>

It was certainly one of the most entertaining. I think we went through 2 rolls of film---lots of kodak-moments when an orangutan is sitting on your lap.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by corky:
I think we went through 2 rolls of film---lots of kodak-moments when an orangutan is sitting on your lap.</font>I would just like to re-emphasize how cool I think this is! http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/biggrin.gif

I have to give a recommendation to the Shangri-La, as well. They have a really nice High Tea spread. Probably not as fancy as Raffles, but if you are near there (the end of Orchard Street), it's worth it.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by chexfan:
Originally posted by corky:
I think we went through 2 rolls of film---lots of kodak-moments when an orangutan is sitting on your lap.</font>I would just like to re-emphasize how cool I think this is! http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/biggrin.gif



Uh-oh...I smell a SIN mileage run for Chexfan

"Any recommendations for excellent tea shops (mainly Green tea/Oolong tea)? "

There is a nice and cozy tea shop owned and run by a Taiwanese lady where my friend took me. It is actually right by Raffles Hotel. According to my friend, lots of VIPs are the customers. I can check with her to get the exact address and name if you want.

Great suggestions, thanks. Once again time is the limitting factor. I will have a full Saturday and most time of the Sunday.
Saturday goes to sight-seeing + buying of tea + High tea in the Raffles (or Shanrgi-La if I'm too exhausted in the hot & humide climate; the Shangri-La is in walking distance from my hotel). And Sunday? Hmmm. I still hesitate to do my original plan with a visit of Sentosa and try to go to the Wild Breakfast Tour (9.00am !) instead. BTW, several years ago I already visited Singapore and went to the night safari in the singapore zoo: I was impressed.

If you liked the Night Safari/Zoo, you might like the Bird Park in Jurong. It's a pleasant way to spend a couple of hours.

Be advised that it can be dry in the Orchard Road area and pouring in Jurong, however.
Rich

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by rjh:
Be advised that it can be dry in the Orchard Road area and pouring in Jurong, however.</font>
That doesn't matter. I'm wet as soon I leave the hotel.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by corky:
Uh-oh...I smell a SIN mileage run for Chexfan</font>I smell an idea for this year's Holiday Cards! http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/biggrin.gif

The Intercontinental, on Middle Road at Bugis Junction, always seems busy at tea time. It's a fairly nice room, and they usually have someone playing the harp.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by transpac:
The Intercontinental, on Middle Road at Bugis Junction, always seems busy at tea time. It's a fairly nice room, and they usually have someone playing the harp.</font>

I must point out that the orangutan doesn't play any instruments. So if you go the zoo route for your tea, there will be no harp---only ape screeches.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by corky:
I must point out that the orangutan doesn't play any instruments.</font>How about any slight of hand tricks? or song whistling? how about reciting the Gettysburg Address? juggling?

All I know is that this is one awesome orangutan! http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/biggrin.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by chexfan:
Originally posted by corky:
I must point out that the orangutan doesn't play any instruments.</font>How about any slight of hand tricks? or song whistling? how about reciting the Gettysburg Address? juggling?

All I know is that this is one awesome orangutan! http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/biggrin.gif

Well yes, .....he does guess your weight. If he's wrong, you win a banana.
I wish I had a scanner so I could post my pictures.....he was off by 15 lbs.

I've had tea twice on both my trips to Singapore, both times at the Conrad. High tea and nibbles are available in the lovely lobby, and free, more informal tea/nibbles is available in the Executive Lounge where they will bake your scones to order!

And here I was thinking I wont have much to do during my two days in Singapore...

yay...

*loads up the camera*

Don't forget 'Tea Chapter' in Neil Road, try the teas, buy a tea set, look at the teapots you wish you could afford, have a tea egg or a cookie, just while away a quiet Sunday morning as I did and fill the memory bank.

Is High Tea all about High Carbohydrates?

Do they use those LITTLE tea cups or can mugs be used? How much tea is considered socially acceptable?


http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by classy:
Is High Tea all about High Carbohydrates?

Do they use those LITTLE tea cups or can mugs be used? How much tea is considered socially acceptable?


http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif</font>

Actually, high tea is not all carbs. I believe you are referring to afternoon tea which consists of sandwiches, scones and pastries and yes the solids are mostly comprised of carbohydrates. High tea however is more of a evening meal that consists of a hot dish usually with protein.

To give you an idea of the difference between the two, take a look at the afternoon tea and high tea menu from Fortnum & Mason, a venerable grocery store in London.

http://www.fortnumandmason.com/Fortnums/images/published_images/stjames_tea.pdf

Sorry the menu did not come up, so I couldn't order anything. But I liked the Power Tea with a choice of a shot of fine Vodka or a glass of Champagne.

No food choices visible. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/frown.gif

Classy,

The website works fine. I suspect you need to install a Adobe Acrobat reader so that you system recognises .pdf files.

http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html

Great to see that the "old" thread returned with a lot of new ideas. Thanks!

I've never been to SIN. However, I heard that a great place to have high tea is the Tiffin Room at the Raffles Hotel (the old one, not the Plaza).

Also, I heard that the afternoon teas in SIN are more substantial and much less expensive to the ones you get in LHR or JFK.

Got it to download, but the print was so fine, it was nearly impossible to read without straining.

I will just have to pick up some more Iron Buddha Tea picked by monkeys on my way through Hong Kong this week. Got a metal jar full from the Marriott as a gift with my stay there in the 1990's!

WIll be looking for some tasty Green teas with flowers or fruits.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by classy:
Got it to download, but the print was so fine, it was nearly impossible to read without straining.
</font>

Without wishing to sound rude, may I suggest you get someone to give you some computer-101 lessons? There is very obvious set of buttons on one of the bars at the top of your screen which control the magnification of what you see.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by classy:
Got it to download, but the print was so fine, it was nearly impossible to read without straining.

I will just have to pick up some more Iron Buddha Tea picked by monkeys on my way through Hong Kong this week. Got a metal jar full from the Marriott as a gift with my stay there in the 1990's!

WIll be looking for some tasty Green teas with flowers or fruits.</font>

Classy-

Try opening up the menu again. Then click on the icon next to the white hand. Then use your mouse and click on the menu a couple of times. You will be able to zoom in and see the text more clearly.

The menu is two pages, so don't forget to scroll down.