Tea for Two at Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon

The days are longer, giving us enough time to meet friends after work and relax a little after a busy day. Last week, I meet a long time and dear friend for tea at the Almada Negreiro's Lounge at Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon.

This was the perfect place for us to meet, not only because is close to her office but also because she is a lady of great artistic sensibility. As I have mentioned before the Hotel Ritz Lisbon is not only a posh hotel but also an outstanding art gallery, and the ideal scenario for two art lovers like us to enjoy a great afternoon tea.

At half past five, we had the Lounge almost for ourselves and spend about 3 hours catching up on our lives and remembering the old times without noticing the time passing by. During that time, we were served the most opulent afternoon tea, including both savory and sweet options, champagne and a multitude of tea varieties to choose from.

All that was served was superbly fresh, of the utmost quality and in such quantity that we were not able to finish it, although we did our best to. We skip the champagne and had a hard time deciding from the 20 varieties of tea available. Finally, I choose Gorreana Orange Pekoe Black Tea, a premium grade black tea grown in the mineral rich Gorreana hills in the Azores Island, and my friend opted for a Red Fruit Infusion, with raspberry and cherry flavor, fruitfully tangy red berries and currants.

Now, let me show you all the delectable food included in the Almada Negreiros Afternoon Tea! The first tier presented us a selection of finger cut sandwiches with Pata Negra ham and rocket, and with Emmental cheese and cucumber. We also tried Mini Blinis with smoked salmon, which were our favorites on the savory section.

The intermediate plate presented a selection of bakery treats like chocolate chip cookies, Madeleines with honey and miniature Rice cakes. The Scones, with strawberry jam and cream, were perhaps the best that I've ever tasted. Superb!

The last tray was haven for the regular sweet tooth in everyone of us. Macarons, Chocolate Éclairs, Clementine Financiers, Coffee Éclairs and Raspberry Tartelettes. You know I'm partial to Macarons, but in this particular case, the tiny tartelletes, with a very light filling and the tangy raspberries were the best choice for me.

We had the Almada Negreiros Afternoon Tea, but you can choose one of two other tea menus: the Lisbon Afternoon Tea, where you can have a Portuguese inspired pastry selection with a Macaron with spices, a Pastel de Nata (Portuguese egg custard tart), a Queijada de Sintra (fresh cheese and almond Tartelette), a Pastel de Feijão (Bean Tartelette), and an Almond and Blueberry Tartelette. Or the Ritz Four Seasons Afternoon Tea, that presents you with a (even) richer selection of pastries, including a Blueberry Tartelette, a Paris Brest, an Ópera, a Clementine Financier, an Orange Macaron and a choice of Pastry from the trolley.

Whatever option you choose (the savory and bakery sections are common), a calm and sophisticated atmosphere is guaranteed, along with a truly attentive and polite service. We had the most delightful time and an enticing gastronomic experience that we are glad to recommend and plan to repeat.

Almada Negreiro's Lounge
Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon
Rua Rodrigo da Fonseca, 88
Lisbon 1099-039
Tel. +351 (21) 381-1400