(Complimentary experience for the purpose of review - see disclaimer)
I love afternoon tea, it's the perfect excuse to get your favourite people together and just celebrate one another over delicious savoury bites and delectable desserts and HarBar on 6th has just the thing for you.
Launching last week, HarBar on 6th has been transformed into a pink blossom wonderland to celebrate the season of Sakura in Japan. Sakura is the Japanese term for ornamental cherry blossom trees and their blossoms. The significance of the tree in Japanese culture goes back hundreds of years and represents the fragility and the beauty of life, it's a reminder that life is almost overwhelmingly beautiful. During the pop-up at Southampton Harbour Hotel, you'll be able to enjoy specially curated cocktails from the Blossom Cocktail list as well as the Cherry Blossom Afternoon Tea until May 6th.
We visited a few days ago to try the Cherry Blossom Afternoon Tea and it did not disappoint. I've enjoyed afternoon tea at HarBar on 6th a few times in the past and it's always been exceptional but this was another level.
Available to pre-book now, the cherry blossom-inspired afternoon tea features a Japanese-inspired twist on savoury bites plus the most delicious selection of pretty pink cakes and desserts. They've also teamed up with Roku Gin, Toki Whisky and Haku Vodka to create blossom-inspired cocktails such as Red Roy, Above the Clouds and Basil Blast.
We scored quite lucky with the weather and had blue skies and clear views out over the water which made a welcome change after all the storms we've been having. HarBar on 6th really is the perfect place for one-of-a-kind views over Southampton and with the roof terrace, it's definitely somewhere to think about visiting for chilled cocktails under the evening's setting sun.
Price list
Cherry Blossom Afternoon Tea £25 per person.
Champagne Cherry Blossom Afternoon Tea £34 per person
Tipsy tea (includes 3 mini Roku gin cocktails) £35 per person
We enjoyed the Tipsy Tea which includes a blossom-inspired cocktail as well as three mini Roku gin cocktails. We chose our cocktails from the blossom drinks list which is available for the duration of the pop-up whether you're booked for the afternoon tea or not. Above the Clouds (£8.50) served with Haku Vodka, Ginger Syrup, Lime and Bitter Lemon Tonic is what I chose while Emily ordered Pleasant Thyme (£9.00) served with Haku Vodka, Thyme Syrup, Grapefruit, Lemon and Light Tonic.
Both were beautifully refreshing with an interesting but delicious mix of flavours.
The service from start to finish was exceptional and the great thing was that whoever we spoke to was so enthused about the menu and the cherry blossom pop-up that it instantly rubbed off so we really couldn't wait to experience it for ourselves.
Savoury
Wasabi Egg Mayo Finger Sandwich
Miso Pulled Pork Green Bun
Cucumber & Cream Cheese Finger Sandwich
Smoked Salmon Mousse Seaweed Cone
Cheese & Tomato Chutney Finger Sandwich
Scones
Plain & Fruit Scones with Clotted Cream & Cherry Jam
Sweet
Eton Mess Strawberry Ice Cream Cone
Pink Chocolate Sphere with Raspberry, Lemon Balm & Pink Pearls
Red Velvet Plant Pot
Raspberry Opera Cake
Pink Lemon Meringue Pie
Tea
Sencha, Matcha, Earl Grey, English Breakfast
Infusions
Sour Cherry
Fresh Mint
Lemon & Ginger
Chamomile
There was an awe-inducing gasp as our afternoon tea was brought to the table. Set upon two tiers, the bottom for our yummy savoury bites and the top adorned with the most exquisite sweet treats. Warm scones, clotted cream and jam were placed on a separate plate to the side.
It was almost too pretty to eat!
We started with the savoury pieces - the smoked salmon mousse seaweed cone was my favourite, I'm a big fan of any fish dishes. The mousse was whipped to perfection and the seaweed cone added a satisfying crunch. The finger sandwiches were a welcome addition, you really can't go wrong with sandwiches for afternoon tea but the miso pulled pork green bun stole the show. The super-soft green bun and tangy miso were the perfect companions to the pulled pork.
It was a really well-thought-out plate.
The scones were some of the best I've eaten in a long time - warm, soft and absolutely delicious. The cherry jam added an ideal amount of sweetness to the clotted cream.
I might even have to pick up a jar to have at home.
The top tier with the most beautiful array of sweet treats is what we were most excited about - featuring perfectly placed red velvet plant pots, pink lemon meringues and chocolate butterflies, it was a sweet lover's dream in an awash of varying pinks and reds.
We decided to try the same dessert at the same time, it almost became a fun game of appreciative facial expressions and us both nodding our heads at what we'd tried. The Eton Mess Strawberry Ice Cream and Pink Lemon Meringue Pie were my top two but each of the desserts was exceptional.
I adored the red velvet flower pot as it was just so imaginative and made the experience quite immersive, it was such a welcome foodie experience that we going to visit again with family before the pop-up disappears.
We really did have such an enjoyable afternoon, I didn't want it to end but I can't wait to go back again. It's becoming one of my favourite places to visit at the moment.
The Cherry Blossom Afternoon Tea is available to book online or by calling 0238 110 3888.
Available Monday to Saturday from 3pm-5pm & Sundays 4pm-6pm, from 11th March until 6th May.
Be quick, it's going to be very popular!
