Ahasa, the sky bridge restaurant at ITC Ratnadipa, is all about height, now taking tea-time traditions to new heights with its high tea buffet. Set 100 metres above Colombo, Ahasa redefines the city’s high tea culture by combining the timeless charm of an English afternoon tea with the elegance and convenience of a buffet setup.
The Sunday Morning Brunch recently sampled this high tea experience and found a carefully curated selection of delicacies that focuses on quality over quantity, ensuring a memorable way to start the new year.
While high tea traditionally involves pre-arranged platters, the buffet format at Ahasa allows guests to tailor their experience. This carefully curated array of options provides just the right balance between variety and simplicity, ensuring that every item on offer is of value rather than simply being a filler, which sets it apart from other high tea buffets.
The sandwiches
The heart of any English high tea is the finger sandwiches and Ahasa takes this staple to new heights, pun intended. The menu rotates regularly, but standout options include cured tuna on brown bread layered with fresh cream cheese, cucumber and cream cheese on tomato bread, and chicken ham and mustard on pumpkin seed-studded bread.
Each piece is precisely cut into elegant portions, making them as visually appealing as they are delicious. The textures and flavours are balanced beautifully, ensuring a satisfying start to the high tea experience.
The savouries
The savoury pastries at Ahasa are nothing short of exceptional. Options such as lamb mince pies, chicken quiche, prawn vol-au-vent, and crab cakes with lemon aioli highlight the kitchen’s expertise. Each pastry offers flaky crusts, rich fillings, and an impeccable balance of flavours.
The lamb mince pies are robust and comforting, while the chicken quiche is creamy and satisfying. The prawn vol-au-vent with its delicate puff pastry and rich filling adds a touch of elegance and the crab cakes with lemon aioli provide a zesty, fresh finish.
The sweets
For those with a sweet tooth, Ahasa’s dessert selection is impressive. The patisserie cakes are the highlight, with options such as Battenberg cake, fresh mango tarts with vanilla cream, moist and rich eggless chocolate cake, and English fruit cake. Each dessert is crafted wonderfully, balancing sweetness with nuanced flavours.
The Battenberg cake offers a nostalgic nod to British traditions, while the mango tarts bring a refreshing tropical twist. The eggless chocolate cake is so rich and indulgent that it is hard to believe it is egg-free and the English fruit cake is moist, spiced, and packed with flavour.
No high tea is complete without scones and Ahasa’s are exemplary. Served warm and fresh from the oven, these scones strike the perfect balance between crumbly and soft. Guests can slather them with generous portions of clotted cream and house-made preserves, elevating this simple pleasure to a real treat. The attention to detail in these scones alone would make Ahasa’s high tea worth a visit.
In addition to the exceptional food, Ahasa’s high tea experience is enhanced by its setting and service. The restaurant’s elevated location offers panoramic views of the Indian Ocean, creating a serene and luxurious atmosphere. The live music adds a touch of sophistication, making the afternoon truly special.
The attentive staff ensure that every need is met with a smile, further elevating the experience. Whether you’re savouring the expertly crafted sandwiches, delighting in the decadent desserts, or enjoying the ocean views, every moment at Ahasa feels like a celebration of the finer things in life.
Info Box:
The English high tea buffet is priced at Rs. 4,999++ per person, with a reduced rate of Rs. 2,222++ for children aged 3-6. It is available daily from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information and reservations:
Tel.: 0117 856 500