Afternoon Tea Turns Japanese with Sakura Afternoon Tea at The Writers Bar of Raffles Makati

The tradition of afternoon tea is reinterpreted once more by The Writers Bar at Raffles Makati, weaving an elegant Japanese spin for Sakura Afternoon Tea. The vibrant hues of cherry blossoms are a recurring theme in a unique and elegant afternoon tea experience, translated in a lavish three-tiered indulgence created by Swissotel Nankai Osaka's Chef de CuisineHiroto Yoshida and Executive Pastry ChefYuki Nakamura paired with soothing Japanese tea blends by Grand Tea MasterKenta Ikeda from Japan's famed tea house Ikeda Senchado. Turning Japanese for afternoon tea is another chapter in a continuing story as The Writers Bar at Raffles Makati reinterprets tradition with another refreshed concept, running all the way until the end of May. 

The Writers Bar has always been the perfect spot for afternoon tea in Makati, but what really differentiates the tea experience from the usual options in the metro are the inventive concept-driven themes adding another layer to the tea tradition. 

And The Writers Bar has hosted some memorable and unique tea sessions over the years, with the cherry blossom inspired Sakura Afternoon Tea as the latest in a long list of themed affairs (for more the previous afternoon tea concepts at The Writers Bar, see my posts Afternoon Tea and Italian Style: High Fashion and High Tea in an Elegant Weave at #FURLAAfternoonTea at The Writers Bar of Raffles Makati on a creative collab from November last year, Show Me The Honey: The Honeyholic Afternoon Tea for Two at The Writers Bar in Raffles Makati with honey harvested from their very own beehives from July last year, Doing It Right: Tea Etiquette at The Writers Bar's Queen Victoria Afternoon Tea from 2017, Tea with a French Accent: The Royal Afternoon Tea Series Featuring Marie Antoinette at The Writers Bar from their past editions of the Royal Afternoon Tea series six years ago, Breakfast at Tiffany's? Make That Afternoon Tea at Tiffany's. At The Writers Bar...inspired by Holly Golightly from seven years back and Afternoon Tea with a New York Twist at The Writers Bar from a collab with Kate Spade nine years ago). 

The Sakura Afternoon Tea Set is priced at P 2,900 for two inclusive of the indulgent three-tiered tower of sweet and savory creations by Chef de Cuisine Hiroto Yoshida and Executive Pastry Chef Yuki Nakamura of Swissotel Nankai Osaka, another ACCOR property. The tempting assortment of intricate sweet and savory nibbles creatively captures the iconic cherry blossom and the arrival of spring with its bold, fresh and flavorful richness in an elegant setting.

The Writers Bar at Raffles Makati becomes the grand stage once more for a memorable afternoon tea experience with Sakura Afternoon Tea.  

A refreshing beverage sets the proper tone and mood for the afternoon's festive launch of Sakura Afternoon Tea at The Writers Bar...

...as Raffles Makati unveils yet another colorful page in its much anticipated afternoon tea series.

...adding layers of centuries-old tradition to the afternoon tea experience at The Writers Bar. It's unique concepts like this that sets the afternoon tea experience at Raffles Makati apart from the rest.

In a series of delicate yet precise motions, Grand Tea Master Kenta Ikeda takes guests from the Sakura Afternoon Tea launch of The Writers Bar deep into Japanese tea culture...

...with a traditional ritual to define the mood for the afternoon at Raffles Makati.

Grand Tea Master Kenta Ikeda then served his exquisite blend to guests at The Writers Bar...

...for a unique taste of Japanese culture resonating with each soothing sip. 

Delicately nuanced, the prized Japanese green tea drapes the palate with its deep and rounded nutty richness followed by an elegantly smooth finish without the bitter aftertaste. 

Fairmont and Raffles Makati Executive Chef Bela Rieck then took the stage to introduce the afternoon's sweet and savory nibbles for Sakura Afternoon Tea at The Writers Bar...

...created by Swissotel Nankai Osaka's Chef de Cuisine Hiroto Yoshida and Executive Pastry Chef Yuki Nakamura. The impressive portfolio of prestigious properties under the ACCOR group offers interesting collaborative opportunities resulting in unique offerings like the Sakura Afternoon Tea at The Writers Bar. 

The latest afternoon tea offering at The Writers Bar combines two iconic tea traditions in one seamless east meets west blend for Sakura Afternoon Tea with intricate and ornate tasty creations paired with soothing Japanese green tea. Afternoon tea and cherry blossoms becomes another unique experience at The Writers Bar.

Each tier is a lavish expression of Japanese culinary art, highlighting unique Japanese flavors for a memorable dining experience at The Writers Bar. From savory and sweet, each bite weaves the unique blend of tea traditions from both the east and west unlike any other afternoon tea experience. Here's a breakdown of the indulgent treats...

...starting from the bottom tier of savory bites featuring Matcha Sesame Tofu with Black Beans and Lotus Root, Teriyaki Chicken Sandwich and Egg Salad, White Asparagus with Dengaku Miso Sauce, Japanese Style Potato Salad with Salted Plum and Salmon Roll with Tofu, Daikon Radish, Shiso Leaf and Ponzu Jelly.

The middle tier presents a decadent selection of indulgent creations like Mitarashi Dumplings, Sakura and Berry Mont Blanc and Strawberry Panna Cotta and Yuzu Jelly...

...while the topmost tier offers Matcha Madeleines, Passion Fruit and Sakura Tarts and Sakura Cream Cheese Mousse, each prepared and crafted by Swissotel Nankai Osaka's Chef de Cuisine Hiroto Yoshida and Executive Pastry Chef Yuki Nakamura.

In keeping with the formal afternoon tea tradition, The Writers Bar also served their Classic Scones paired with traditional Jam, Clotted Cream and their very own Honey harvested from the property's rooftop beehives. For Sakura Afternoon Tea, The Writers Bar also offers Sakura Scones too.

A pot of freshly brewed Japanese Green Tea formally begins your Sakura Afternoon Tea experience at The Writers Bar of Raffles Makati. The flavors are rich and deep with subtle nutty hints, while another sip warms the palate with its smooth finish and none of the usual bitterness.  

From the savory selection, the Salmon Roll with Tofu, Daikon Radish, Shiso Leaf and Ponzu Jelly with its buttery and silky smooth texture brings a delectable and lingering briny sweetness to the palate...

...while the White Asparagus with Dengaku Miso Sauce delivers a fresh and clean sweetness pairing well with the soothing Japanese Green Tea. 

The Sakura Cream Cheese Mousse is smooth and decadent with sweet floral hints...

...while the Sakura and Berry Mont Blanc topped with thin slivers of pistachios is pure indulgence perfectly tempered by a sip of Japanese Green Tea. 

Another cup of Japanese Green Tea completes the moment at Sakura Afternoon Tea in The Writers Bar.

The sweet and savory bites prepared by Chef de Cuisine Hiroto Yoshida and Executive Pastry Chef Yuki Nakamura of Swissotel Nankai Osaka offer a different take on traditional afternoon tea with unique flavors inspired by cherry blossoms. And The Writers Bar is the perfect spot. Available until the end of May, reservations are recommended.  

Now it's your turn. Book you table for Sakura Afternoon Tea at The Writers Bar of Raffles Makati online at https://booking.resdiary.com/TablePlus/Standard/WritersBarAccor or refer to the links and contact details below. 

At the end of the Sakura Afternoon Tea launch, guests were handed sweet tokens containing handcrafted chocolate treats of Double Matcha Green Tea and Sesame Surprise Black Sesame. 

The popularity of afternoon tea continues to rise becoming a mainstream option in the evolving local culinary landscape. And The Writers Bar of Raffles Makati succeeds in refreshing and reinventing the tradition with its novel concepts. Experience afternoon tea with an elegant Japanese spin with Sakura Afternoon Tea, only at The Writers Bar...