Dempsey Hill is also known for its night chill out spot and indulgence for dinning variety. Portico Prime is located near the main entrance/drive-in, with a modern setting of indoor and outdoor sittings. What better way to drive the crowd in during the slow-afternoon then have their own Portico Favourites High Tea | $48+/person (minimum 2 to dine). The high tea includes a free flow drink, a starter plate and a high tea stand which comprises of four-tier of bite size sweets, savouries, cookies, chocolate and scones. 

As mentioned earlier, the high tea is served with a either a free flow choice of Dutch Colony Coffee or (one flavour) Twinings from the Large-Leaf Discovery Tea Collection. I love my pick of Rose Garden tea which turns out well when paired with the food. As the name implies, it is towards the floral flavour and I personally think it’s perfect for a high tea.

The STARTER PLATE consist of none other than Portico Favourites, hand-picked by the chefs from their menu which features:

- Skewer of tiger prawn with compressed melon sheet, topped with tobiko roe and brandy sauce

- Chilled truffle-scented angel hair pasta and finished with avruga caviar and kawa ebi shrimps

- Crostini of Asian-cured salmon gravlax and coriander crème fraiche

The pasta is served and best eaten cold. However if it gets "colder" if not eaten when served, it gets saltier. Overall, the starter plate tasted refreshing and were quite appetising.

The four-tier high tea add up to 12 items in total - three savouries items, six sweets items, two cookies and chocolates items and a scone with homemade spread. As this is a high tea, the focus is directed towards sweets, as mentioned by the head Chef, Charlene. Also, the portions of these food are served according to the number of paying guest. Hence, for a group of four, we were presented one item each per person.

Starting with the SAVOURY TIER that I'm head over heels in love with:

- Éclair of Singapore-style chili crab meat

- Fish otak otak toast

- Squid and salted egg croquette

It's a right hit to my savoury tastebuds and I would say it would be a crowd pleaser among Singaporeans too. Trying to go local yet remaining that touch of the westernise high tea, who would have known that chili crab would go so well with the soft and moist éclair. 

Moving on, the SWEETS TIERS which I'm impressed with both the visuals as well as the quality of the items, which includes:

- Marsala Chai tea cake with honey ginger cream and orange confit

- Homemade carrot cake with maple cream cheese frosting and toasted walnuts

- Mini deconstructed blackforest

- Chilled cheesecake with mango gel and mini passionfruit spheres

- Baked apple crumble tart with sweet basil cream

- Bandung rose cream, strawberry and lychee tart

- Pistachio nut, cranberry and white chocolate bark

- Homemade peanut butter and confetti cookies

Everything is made from scratch even some ingredients are planted on site, if you explore the backyard, you'll see a mini planting gardens filled with herbs and edible flowers. Lastly, scones are what individuals usually skip in high tea. Here at Portico's high tea, the scones are ideally shrink to petite size allowing individuals to finish the high tea set without the feel of stuffing themselves. These freshly baked California natural raisins and citrus peel SCONES is served with homemade honey kaya, homemade seasonal preserves and clotted cream.

Enjoy the quiet atmosphere and the serenity in the afternoon as you sip your tea and treat yourself to a high tea session. Reservations are strongly recommended as there will only be a limited of 30 sets available each day. Right now, be delighted as you get enjoy the promotional price of $38+/person when you follow Portico on their Instagram.

Address: 10 Dempsey Road, #01-20, Singapore 247700 

Telephone: 6474 7427

Opening Hours:

(High Tea) Tue-Sun: 3:00pm – 5:00pm

Closed on Mondays

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