We gave ourselves a good pat on the back when we discovered one of the cheapest afternoon tea sets in town at JUMBO Seafood ION Orchard. Lo and behold, Cedele at Marina Bay Sands is also serving an Afternoon High Tea Set for two at a similar price of $48++, which works out to just $24++ per person.
Cedele’s afternoon tea set runs daily from 2pm to 6pm, with savoury and sweet bites on rotation. We were here in the month of December, so some of what’s offered is inspired by the flavours of Christmas. This seasonal option is $55++, though the menu only differs slightly from their original Afternoon High Tea.
Start your afternoon tea by making a choice between a pair of Crispy Soft Shell Crab & Hollandaise or Grilled Beef Patty & Cheese Sliders. We picked the former and had no regrets. Not only was the soft shell well-fried, it was also deliciously seasoned with spices. Every bite was a delight with hints of aromatic curry.
There was also a creamy and addictive Spinach Onion Cheese Dip and Crackers, as well as simple Smoked Salmon Finger Sandwiches, but what got us hankering for more was their Truffle Fries. The fries were perfumed with just the right amount of truffle oil and had a good amount of shaved Grana Padano cheese atop.
If you prefer more savoury bites than desserts for your afternoon tea, you’ll be happy to find that the savoury section spills over to the bottom tier. The Banger & Mash comes with four pieces of sundried tomato sausages on top of grainy mashed potatoes.
Despite the extra plate of sausages, the bottom tier is still well-stocked with treats. We started off with bite-sized Cedele’s Christmas Cakes featuring a duo of chocolate and carrot cakes.
While there’s nothing to shout about for the bittersweet chocolate cake, the carrot cake, on the other hand, is moist and toothsome. Those who are fans of Cedele’s regular carrot cake will like this version even better, as the cream cheese is flavoured with Speculoos, delivering a whole lot of Christmassy flavour.
Another item to look out for is their Dark Jamaican Rum Tiramisu. Though there was more cream to cake, each mouthful had a burst of flavour thanks to the rich dose of rum that spiked the cake layer. It was a milky and boozy combination that’s hard to resist.
Other baked goodies include the Christmas Classic Minced Pie and Citrusy Panettone which will only be available for the festive season. The Drop Scones, however, will be served all round the year. Made without leavening agents, these little scones are on the crunchy side. You can also enjoy it with Cedele’s house-made fruit jams.
There will also be a choice of coffee or tea presented as your order is taken. Sadly this choice is merely limited to brewed black coffee or English breakfast tea.
Located on Basement two of Marina Bay Sands, Cedele houses only a handful of tables in the centre of the atrium. There might not be much space because of social distancing measures in place, so be sure to make a reservation or come by early to avoid the midday queue. Another thing to note is the lack of service thanks to the layout of the restaurant and the limited number of staff on duty.
With pricier afternoon tea sets at TWG Tea or Angelina in the same mall, Cedele’s afternoon tea makes for a more wallet-friendly alternative. It’s not a bad option, considering the cafe also boasts the same atas atmosphere of Marina Bay Sands. The food here was also better than expected, as my colleague and I wiped both the tiers clean!
If you’re looking for more places to catch up with friends, check out these casual afternoon tea places in Singapore for fluffy pancakes, egg tarts and more.
Address: 2 Bayfront Avenue, #B2-120/120A Marina Bay Sands, Singapore 018972
Afternoon tea hours: Daily 2pm to 6pm
Tel: 6688 7345
Website
Cedele is not a halal-certified eatery.
Photos taken by Lim An.
This is an independent review by Eatbook.sg.
Summary
Pros
– Well-seasoned dishes
– Wide variety of savoury and sweet bites
Cons
– Service was poor due to lack of staff
– Limited seats
Recommended dishes: Crispy Soft Shell Crab & Hollandaise, Truffle Fries, Carrot Cake
Afternoon tea hours: Daily 2pm to 6pm
Address: 2 Bayfront Avenue, #B2-120/120A Marina Bay Sands, Singapore 018972
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