Mossgreen High Tea

Melbourne has a number of elegant, old world establishments ideal for when the mood strikes to stretch your pinkie finger to the filling and refilling of a teacup. Yet it remains difficult for the idea of high tea to detangle itself from days spent trapped at Grandma’s falling asleep to stories of yesteryear and the musty scent of gathering dust. The Mossgreen Tearooms is an exception.

Originally built as a movie theatre, the charm of Mossgreen has been transformed into a spacious and light-filled auction room, gallery and tearoom. With new shows every month, fine artwork dominates the walls – especially in the tearooms where Kate Bergin’s painted animals sit atop white tablecloths with teaspoons strung to their tails, mirroring the crisp white tables staring back at them. The china is adorned with multi-coloured details, and an Alice in Wonderland vibe carries throughout.

Managed by Peter Rowland, the main attraction is the Mossgreen High Tea ($48 per person) or Champagne High Tea, with the irresistible addition of Laurent-Perrier ($65 per person). Petit fours and finger sandwiches aside, the venue operates from breakfast – think coddled eggs with baby asparagus ($15) or brioche French toast with strawberry compote ($14) –through a lunch menu featuring pecorino and wild mushroom tart ($18) and the ever-popular club sandwich ($22).

The Mossgreen Tearooms manages to combine old English with French chic in charming sophistication. Whether you’ve just been to an auction or simply want someplace to release your long-suppressed bourgeois accent, Mossgreen Tearooms is set to satisfy.

MOSSGREEN TEA ROOMS
926-930 High Street, Armadale
9508 8850
7am-5pm
mossgreen.com.au