THE VICTORIA ROOM
Bar Restaurant
Level 1, 235 Victoria Street
Darlinghurst, Sydney New South Wales 2010
w www.thevictoriaroom.com
E info@thevictoriaroom.com
T +61 2 9357 4488
OPEN High tea is served Saturdays 12.00pm to 5.00pm, Sundays 1.00pm to 5.00pm — check their web site for details of their restaurant and suppers on Friday and Saturday from 11.00pm till 2.00am

FOOD This is a really fun thing to do and whilst there were very few men in the room we think it is something that would be fun to do with a mixed group, but would be equally okay for a sole traveller. Upstairs, the large room is decorated in a cool colonial 30s fashion with potted palms, dark furniture, low highly decorated lamps and lots of tasteful embellishments. It is the type of room that the genius of the Shanghai restaurant scene, Michelle Garnaut,would put together, the only difference being her gorgeous bars are always packed with a super stylish group more likely to be drinking French champagne than sipping tea. . Standard High Tea is $35.00 per person, Royal Tea $40.00 per person inclusive of a glass of their NV sparkling and the Majestic Tea $50.00 per person includes a glass of Piper–Heidsieck Cuvée Brut NV Champagne and full details of the packages are available on their web site. A 10% surcharge applies for Sunday. Their bar tenders are famous for their cocktails, and arriving towards the end of their service it was clear that their guests had happily moved from tea to cocktails.
Service is attentive and even when a glass of Champagne was clumsily knocked over handled the spill efficiently immediately returning to pour another glass, which was not charged. These are small things but all go to the total package of ensure that a guest feels comfortable and determined to return. If you’ve done the Ritz it must be said it is not in that league, but nor is the very small price, so small that we think their high tea is excellent value for money and a fun thing to do. Perfect little sandwiches filled with smoked salmon, walnut and goats’ cheese. perfectly presented there is also a tiny lemon curd tart, a chocolate cup cake and a pink iced fairy cup cake and a scone with jam and cream. Proper pot teas, nine choices are available including Earl Grey Premium, Prince of Wales, Queen Mary, China Sencha, herbal infusions that include camomile, spearmint, lemon grass, ginger and rose garden. Not a great lover of tea (philistine I know) the green ginger and lemon grass tea was aromatic and delicious.
If you are one of two they will probably squeeze you in a corner, but it would be wise to ring and make a reservation as this is a very popular place on Saturday and Sunday afternoon. It is also worth remembering that if you are out late and starving they serve supper from 11.00pm till 2.00am, Fridays and Saturdays.

WINE Plenty of choice and an extensive selection of cool cocktails.

OWNERS — Ashley, Jill and Lindsay Jones Evans
CHEF — Joe Gambacorta
RESTAURANT MANAGER — Regina Evans and Michael Burokas