TEA at TWG
This stylish Tea Salon and Boutique, as it prefers to be known, sits aloof, but quite aptly on the second level of Ion Orchard, like an eye-catching centrepiece. The ostentatious warmish-gold decor instantly makes you feel welcomed once you step in; a simple, but necessarily majestic touch for an upmarket tea joint such as this.
Before i start discussing FOOD, let me kindly warn you that the average waiting duration to get a seat in this perpetually packed (yes, even on weekdays!) tea establishment is at least 15 minutes, if not longer. My advice for you dearest readers, is to come after 4pm when the queue starts to dissipate inexplicably (p.s. maybe tai tais stop eating after 4pm altogther)
Waiting time aside, I have to say that TWG has to make an effort to create a minimally comfortable place for patrons to queue; the current waiting area is deplorable. In terms of geography, it is narrow and cramped. Additionally, the air is distressingly warmish and stale due to the sheer lack of ventilation and air-conditioning in the area!
Admittedly, Gem and I did not really have a very good impression of TWG because of that.
BUT THAT ALL CHANGED ONCE WE TRIED THE TEA AND THE SWEETS.
TWG has surprisingly provided the option of a relatively wallet-friendly tea set (17++ SGD) for a pot of tea of your choice (only 10.50 SGD teas can be chosen, otherwise you will have to top up the price difference) and either:
i) 2 muffins;
ii) 2 scones;
iii) 1 pastry of your choice from their wide selection of delectables available;
iv) 1 dessert of your choice from the dessert menu (additonal cost of 1.50 SGD).
Personally, I recommend the Singapore Surprise; a crème brûlée variation with delightful bits of raspberry in it (see: picture below).
If you are at a loss as to what tea to choose to compliment your sweet treat (considering how TWG has an EXTENSIVE tea list entailing a few hundred different types of tea which comes from countries such as Brazil, Zimbabwe, India and the likes), you should consult the wait staff. Most, if not all, are well- trained and thus competent enough to answer any queries you may have about choosing the right tea to please your eager tastebuds for the day.
IN A NUTSHELL
Jim and Gem LIKE:
- the competent and knowlegeable wait staff who are well-versed in the types of teas available
- how badly spoilt-for-choice they make patrons suffer with their OMG-extensive tea list
- how they pay attention to every little need of patrons; take for example
(1) attentive wait staff who settle you in your plush seat and then place the folded table napkin on your lap
(2) the colour-coded tea-pots (black for you, and white for your friend, or vice versa) to help differentiate your tea from your friend's
(3) the thoughtful padded arm-rests and the curved handle so that your bag can easily hang off it
Jim and Gem DISLIKE:
- the stuffy waiting area (i mean seriously, what is with the dire lack of ventilation?)
- the noise level (granted it is an atas-esque place but Singaporeans will be Singaporeans; we all talk in volumes several decibels higher than the rest of the world because EVERYONE JUST WANTS TO KNOW WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT)
- the repetitive playlist (they had this french soprano on repeat; it was good the first time round but by the fifth time, we wished that the singing fat lady would just shut up.)
3.5/5 teacups: They really make sure they pamper their patrons with their jaw-dropping variety of teas and thoughtfully prepared sweet treats, but inevitably fail in terms of ambience; when it comes to tea, crowds and noise are the greatest botheration, and TWG simply has too big a crowd, but too small a seating capacity to accomodate patrons comfortably.
*Disclaimer: this rating is based solely on the overall impression of the food, ambience and service of TWG. We do not claim to be able to critique food per se and thus shall not attempt to in this review. We will leave the tasting part to you, dearest readers...
REVIEW
by
Jim
P.S. Coming soon on Tartarus Berries: review of selected boutiques in Mandarin Gallery
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