"We arrived early and were directed to the restaurant area by the hotel receptionist, walking through a beautiful carved dark wood hallway. There were hand sanitizing points throughout, but most of them were empty. However, one of them was working. We were warmly welcomed and shown into the room where we would be dining. Unfortunately, the restaurant room was in use for a private function, so the dining area we were seated in was vast and nearly empty. Nonetheless, we were optimistic about having a unique experience. The waiter explained the menu options (sweet or savory, but not both) and took our orders. We all opted for savory options, which was a pleasant change from the mostly cake-focused afternoon teas we have had elsewhere. There was a good selection of teas available, but the only coffee choices were americano and latte, with no indication of the type of coffee used or other options. Fortunately, the coffee was enjoyable and the leaf teas were nicely presented. After about forty minutes, our food arrived. The portions were a bit on the small side, but most of the items were delicious. The cheese scones were a bit dense, dry, and bland, but everything else was of high quality. We were not offered refills on our food plates, which would have been a nice touch considering the price. When we requested more tea and coffee from a waitress, she was unresponsive. In hindsight, it may have been helpful for the waiter to introduce her to us. Thankfully, when we asked the waiter to check on our beverages, they arrived promptly. When it came time to settle the bill, we noticed a service charge added, which felt a bit presumptuous given the slow start and the empty room. However, the waiter was diligent and deserved the tip. Overall, the initial greeting, most of the food, and the majority of the service were excellent. The ambiance was slightly awkward due to the large, nearly empty room and the somber background music. It would have been nice to have food refills and a description of the coffee. Additionally, it would have been great to have the option to add a sweet item to the savory menu and vice versa. In conclusion, it was a very good but not particularly remarkable experience at a high price point."
