The UAE’s first Emirati afternoon tea is here

Created in collaboration with leading pastry chef Christophe Devoille, the new experience is offered at The Royal Tearoom at Atlantis The Royal.

The English tradition of afternoon tea can sometimes be perceived as stuffy and uptight, ripe with dainty sandwiches and nibble-sized pastries that do little to satiate one’s hunger. But who can argue with Anna Maria Russell, the seventh Duchess of Bedford, who is credited for introducing the concept after complaining of a “sinking feeling” experienced during the late afternoon? The Royal Tearoom at Atlantis The Royal is doing things differently, though, partnering with pastry chef Christophe Devoille to launch the country’s first Emirati afternoon tea experience.

Taken in the ultra-luxury resort’s main lobby, amidst its glittering “Droplets” sculpture and vast aquariums, the sophisticated offering features a decadent selection of savoury delicacies and pastries. Priced at AED 440 for two people, the unique Emirati Afternoon Tea features an extensive selection of Arabic pastries, including Luqaimat (crispy fried dumplings paired with an Emirati date syrup), a spongy Sago (rich in cardamom, toasted coconut and topped with gold leaf), as well as the traditional Khanfaroosh (complete with a drizzle of local mountain honey). A decadent Halawet El Jibn is also served tableside comprising ashta cheese, delicate rose water, pistachio and Amarena cherry.

Priced at AED 560 for two people and more suited to traditionalists, the Signature Afternoon Tea experience is presented on a refined stand of scones, pastries and finger sandwiches, while a regularly changing selection of desserts are influenced by in-season fruits. Savouries include a candy tomato tart with ricotta panna cotta, an organic egg mimosa, and smoked turkey with black truffle. These are followed by a selection of pastries, scones and preserves — chocolate and almond cake, lemon and tarragon tartlets, and fluffy scones with a rich clotted cream and raspberry, rose petal and lychee preserves included.

As well as the afternoon tea offering, Devoille has traversed the globe to source the finest and rarest ingredients possible, handcrafting a Royal Tearoom menu of homemade chocolate bars and chocolate bonbons, as well as a luxury selection of handcrafted Arabic sweets such as Ash El Bilbul Cashew, chocolate Baklawa with macadamia, and Baklawa Asiah. An all-day pastry counter also serves over 30 different types of tea (including the increasingly rare yellow tea) to accompany a selection of 16 homemade pastries and eight kinds of croissants, brioches and Danish pastries, all handcrafted by Devoille’s talented team of nine bakers and 41 pastry colleagues.

Signature desserts include the Vanilla and Blueberry Water Droplet inspired by the water found throughout Atlantis The Royal. Light blue in colour and perfectly shaped like a rain droplet, this vegan dessert is not only beautiful, but also features a delicious blueberry and blackberry coulis centre. A second signature is the Date Cake inspired by the prevalence of dates in Arabic culture. Shaped like a large date, Devoille worked with PASTRYEVO based in France to craft a unique mould that combines sponge, confit, marmalade, cream, and the colours of a date, served with drizzle of date syrup for the ultimate Arabic-inspired indulgence.

Born in 1980 in Strasbourg – the German inflected city of France’s eastern borders – Christophe Devoille has a deep appreciation for his country’s produce, exploring wide-ranging ingredients in his desserts. He cut his teeth at the Michelin-starred La Côte Basque in New York, helmed by Jean-Jacques Rachou, before spending more than a decade at the side of chef Alain Ducasse. Following four years on the pre-opening team as Executive Pastry Chef of Wynn Palace (one of the largest resorts in Macau, China), Devoille moved across the pond to head up the pastry kitchen of London’s celebrity haunt Annabel’s before deciding to go it alone, travelling the world as a pastry chef consultant.

The Royal Tea Room’s Afternoon Tea by Christophe Devoille is available daily from 2pm to 5pm. The Signature Afternoon Tea is priced at AED 560 for two people, while the Emirati Afternoon Tea is priced at AED 440 for two people.

GO: Visit www.atlantis.com for reservations and more information.