Fine tableware brand Noritake has produced a limited edition line with local fashion designer Celeste Thoi, a beautiful interpretation of fashion and fine china.
Thoi becomes the first designer outside Japan to be commissioned by Noritake, and her specially designed chinaware set is exclusively sold in Malaysia. The collection has delicate flowers to symbolise everything precious.
There's Ranunculus, also known as buttercup, that symbolises charm and attractiveness, the Lupine to symbolise happiness, creativity, and imagination and Hypericum, otherwise known as St. John's Wort, which symbolises protection and rebirth.
To celebrate the project, Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur is serving the Noritake x Celest Thoi thematic afternoon tea at its Lobby Lounge, daily until the end of May.
Pastry chef Suzana Anwar helms the project, and together with her team, they curate a selection of Japan-inspired sweets and sandwiches to complement the pastel-coloured tableware those dainty food is served on.
Hotel general manager Christian Tavelli says the collaboration is the hotel's way of celebrating local designers and "presenting an elevated tea experience, not just with our selection of premium teas but having our afternoon tea presented on Japan's foremost name in fine chinaware, Noritake,"
DAINTY PIECES
Aside from a wide selection of teas, the sweets feature lychee rose macaron, green tea adzuki vanilla roll and honey ginger persimmon tart.
The sakura blossom yogurt milk pudding has a sourish tinge to it and the Japanese strawberry shortcake and mochi snow skin raspberry cheesecake deliver delicate sweetness. Nothing is overly sweet or rich. Everything is light, just like Japanese food.
My favourite sandwich has to be the BBQ eel with soba noodle on charcoal bun. The bun, soba and eel combination is simply delicious. The crab mayonnaise with cucumber salad and rice cracker is great too.
There's also the standard egg sandwich with white bread and Japanese chicken salad is served on green tea bread. Scones come in black sesame seed and green tea varieties, served with strawberry jam, orange marmalade and clotted cream.
The Noritake x Celest Thoi Afternoon Tea (RM158 per person) is available until May 31, from 2.30pm to 6pm, Mondays to Saturdays, and 3pm to 6pm on Sundays. For reservations, call 03-2330 8798 or email mokul-fb@mohg.com