We last visited Food Society a couple of years ago, but since then a new head chef has come on board and the place has been spruced up a bit – it still has an eclectic charm with mismatched crockery and furniture, but it is slightly more refined these days.
Their signature Vodka High Tea ($60 a head with an iced tea vodka cocktail) has also been given an update, adding in an intriguingly dense pepper shortbread paired with prosciutto and fennel jam, as well as two delicious pastries in the form of a free range chicken puff pastry with a smoked tomato relish and a petit filo pie of creamed leek and double smoked bacon to their Savoury Canapes platter. The flaky pastries were well executed and we especially loved the bacon pie. The only savoury canape that stayed on the menu after the update was their green tea smoked Tasmanian salmon pastrami served on a refreshing cucumber slice.
Savoury Canapes Platter
Their finger sandwiches stayed faithful to their previous incarnations, with the Classic Cucumber Sandwich still featuring a luxe touch of salmon caviar and pink peppercorn, while their tasty grilled Brioche Chicken Sandwich hit the mark, with the smoked free range chicken paired with sweet corn and tarragon.
Finger Sandwiches
To finish off on a sweet note, we were treated to a delectable Sweet Tea Trifle in a little jar with a gorgeous vanilla cream layered on top of a berry compote, a petit macaron in assorted flavours (we got both salted caramel and chocolate) and also some handmade chocolate truffles. The Poached Pear was also part of the sweets platter, but with the shot of (very strong) clove vodka that it was served in, it was more of a palate cleanser more than anything!
Sweets
In terms of drinks, we were kept well hydrated with an assortment of different premium teas, ranging from the crowd-pleasing Black Rose, to an interesting Apple Crumble (you could actually taste the biscuits!) and a pleasant Pear with Bergamot that I really enjoyed, finishing off with the fragrant Strawberries and Cream that got a bit too overwhelmingly sweet by the end of it all.
For those who opt for the cocktail option, I’m happy to report that their Lychee with French Earl Grey cocktail is a superb concoction that goes down a treat. We also tried their vodka sippers, which are aptly named as the intense honey flavours mean that you can literally only take them one tiny sip at a time.
In our books, Saturdays are for friends and lazy afternoons and the Food Society’s Vodka High Teas are perfect for both, since they’re only served on Saturday afternoons anyway. Their impressive high tea adds an unexpected Eastern European twist at a decent price point, considering how full we were by the end of it all and despite being just outside the city centre, it’s worth the short walk.
Excuse Me Waiter dined as guests of Food Society
Food Society
91 Riley Street, Darlinghurst NSW 2010
Phone: (02) 8090 3462
