3 /5 Food Lover: Kai offers a refined afternoon tea with a distinct Chinese influence in a beautiful, romantic setting. The dining room is intimate with low lighting, which adds atmosphere but makes taking social media photos difficult. Service throughout was excellent â attentive, polished, and I was well looked after.
The savouries were the strongest part of the experience. The baos were soft and flavourful, the prawns on toast crisp and indulgent, and the Chinese tea egg added welcome depth and umami. One issue was the Potion of Eternal Youth, which arrived far too hot to drink and remained so for much of the savoury course. A second serving is allowed, which helped once it had cooled.
The pastries and petit fours were less successful. While visually creative, several lacked flavour impact and felt more focused on concept than enjoyment. The standout was the pandan crÚme brûlée, which was fragrant, well balanced, and confidently flavoured. The rest were largely forgettable.
The âsconeâ course felt gimmicky rather than comforting. A large macaron shell replaced a traditional scone, served with clotted cream and toppings. The cream lacked freshness and richness, and combined with the dry shell, it didnât come together as a satisfying course.
A lovely setting with excellent service and strong savouries, but a significant portion of the afternoon tea â particularly the sweet courses â didnât hit the mark. At this level and price point, greater consistency across all elements is expected.
