Cape Town - Spend an afternoon recalling the elegance and grace of a bygone era at Casa Labia on the Muizenberg coastline. A living museum, the Casa Labia Cultural Centre dates back to 1929 as the former residence of Count and Countess Natale Labia.
This summer Casa Labia has partnered with Florentine perfumery Santa Maria Novella to present a “Floral Afternoon Tea” to be served on Saturdays.
Inspired by Santa Maria Novella’s exclusive imported floral teas and infusions, and the brand’s single floral note perfumes, three fragrant teas from this range have been hand-picked to complement a selection of sweet and savoury delicacies prepared by consultant chef Judy Badenhorst, chef Valentin Costea and young baker Alex Vushe.
The trio comprises Gelsomino, a black tea blended with jasmine flowers and essential oil; Rosa, a black tea blended with rose petals and essential oil; and Fiori e Frutti, a sweet blend of flowers and fruits with aromatic overtones of apple, hibiscus, elderberry, rosehip, strawberry, lemon balm and raspberry.
With the option of including a glass of Graham Beck Rosé, the tea begins with a savoury selection of delicate smoked salmon finger sandwiches served with cream cheese and pickled ginger; mini Parmesan tartlets crammed with baby tomato, basil pesto and crème fraiche; and olive, baby tomato and feta quiches with grated Parmesan.
l Booking for the Casa Labia Floral Afternoon Tea is essential. It costs R250 a person including service fee, or R275 including a glass of bubbly. Call 021 788 6062. - Cape Times