Ladies. Little Ladies. It’s time for high tea. The sweetest, cutest, chicest high tea has arrived in Sydney – at the Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour. This winter, the luxe five star hotel is hosting a new kind of high tea. This isn’t just an ordinary high tea, it’s for lovers of all things French, fashion and Claris the Mouse.

Pourquoi? I hear you ask.

To celebrate acclaimed Australian fashion illustrator Megan Hess and her new, beautifully designed picture book, Claris: the Chicest Mouse in Paris, Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour has transformed their level three restaurant Atelier into a magnificent world of tea cups, madeleines, choux pastry and macarons.

Now, we know what you’re thinking. This isn’t just for kids. Atelier restaurant is made for high tea. Think high ceilings, rich parquetry and plenty of French champagne. Pick a table by the floor to ceiling windows for the best views of Darling Harbour, if you can take your eyes off the tables. Bouquets of flowers, fine china and the delicacies of Executive Pastry Chef Puti Firmansyah await. We are tres excited by the three-tiered trays laden with traditional finger sandwiches, homemade sausage rolls, mini quiche for savoury starters. The Rosewater pink panna cotta and petite raspberry macarons will make your heart sing. To the side, perfect bite sized scones served with clotted cream and jam are irresistible – especially when served on specially designed limited-edition fine porcelain Claris plates and matching gold cutlery.

For young (and young at heart) chocolate lovers, the never ending free flowing chocolate fountain is a dream come true. Piles of fresh strawberries, sugary churro and fluffy homemade sticks of marshmallow all wait to be dipped into melted milk chocolate. A French lady may limit herself to one helping, but not moi.

Speaking of chocolate, our vote for the perfect tea pairing is the Chocolate Tea blended with dark chocolate and cocoa beans. There’s also French Earl Grey, Moroccan Mint Tea, Pomme Prestige, Royal Darjeeling or Pink Flamingo with crimson hibiscus blossoms served in a rose-coloured cup. If tea isn’t your … cup of tea, there’s also coffee or French bubbles! Younger guests will approve of the free-flowing pink lemonade.

Claris the Mouse High Tea at Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour costs $69 per person ($35 for children 11 and under). Lucky AccorPlus members enjoy a 15% discount.

Spoil yourself by making a weekend of it – book the “Claris, the Chicest Mouse in the House” accommodation packages available every Friday and Saturday night. Starting from $336 a night (prepaid) until 12 October, stay overnight in a Superior Room, enjoy Claris High Tea on Saturday before breakfast in Atelier and late check-out at 1pm on Sunday. Children 11 and under booked with this package enjoy complimentary breakfast and complimentary High Tea and will leave with a Claris the Mouse gift bag.

Claris the Mouse High Tea
Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour
https://www.sofitelsydneydarlingharbour.com.au/