Karma is a funny thing. I firmly believe in karma, good deeds garner good and bad deeds garner bad and I for one am constantly shocked when I meet nasty people and I often worry about their karma. Thankfully those people are few and far between and I make sure I concentrate on the many lovely people I meet. When I first met my dining companion Trissa, it was at the Adriano Zumbo Charity cake auction. She had just paid over $100 for one slice of cake and I was standing by the doorway when she came in and asked for a box to put it in. I said congratulations to her and she smiled and said thanks and then asked if I would like to try some.
Trissa from the Zumbo cake auction
She was of course a virtual stranger to me so I was surprised that not only that she offered some to me as she didn’t know me but also because she had just paid over $100 for that slab of precious 6 layer mousse cake and was yet so giving of her precious bounty. I declined her kind offer thinking that she must have been mistaking me for someone else but perhaps my eyes betrayed me and she insisted several times that I try it as her husband doesn’t have a sweet tooth and she bought it mainly as it was for charity. I succumbed and tried a slice of heaven.
I took a photo of her for my story and gave her my card. She knew of NQN and she emailed me and we corresponded through email and I found out that she had a blog of her own. We became friends after that and had a forensic dinner party and other adventures but I always felt like I should give her something back in return for her initial generosity at the cake auction. So when I was offered a Majestic High Tea for Two at The Victoria Room and I knew that Trissa had never been to High Tea before, I invited her along. Call it karma through cake.
I’m meeting Trissa there and as I walk up the stairs having dodged the rain outside and clutching my umbrella. “Would you like me to take your umbrella?” enquires the polite woman showing me to my table. “Errr” I say clutching my precious Wicked Umbrella shaped in a witches hat. “Ahhh it’s a special umbrella” she says knowingly. I told you, people that understand my kind. We’re seated at the very sexy, elegant room. It’s dark – very dark actually and gives you the impression it’s late at night. There are beaded hangings, fringing and it’s very much like the Singapore Raffles hotel but with Victorian table and chairs and embroidered Louis XIV chairs. There are girls everywhere, dressed up, wearing glittery headpieces (my hat feels less conspicuous here), dark nail polish heels and little clutches. You can imagine I felt quite at home here.
Piper-Heisieck from Majestic High Tea $55 per person
Tables are a little squishy so we have to do a bit of expert manoeuvring to get seated and we’re shown our menu. The Majestic High Tea comes with a glass of Piper-Heidsieck Cuvee Brut NV Champagne which is sparkling but as both of us are on restricted licenses, we mournfully only take a sip or two of the delicious bubbly.
Sandwich tier: Chicken & Wild Herbs; Cucumber, Crème Fraiche & Dill; Smoked Salmon, Rocket, Lemon, Capers and Watercress, Celery, Walnuts & Goats Curd.
Our three tier stand arrives and Trissa’s eyes light up. Having never had a High Tea it must be an impressive sight. On the top there are 4 types of sandwiches: Chicken & Wild Herbs; Cucumber, Crème Fraiche & Dill; Smoked Salmon, Rocket, Lemon, Capers and Watercress, Celery, Walnuts & Goats Curd. All of the crustless sandwiches are soft (not those terrible crusted over edges from pre made sandwiches you can sometimes get) and the favourite for both of us is the smoked salmon sandwich.
Turkish Apple Tea
During this time my Turkish Apple tea arrives (there is the option to have it hot or cold) and whilst not strictly a tea, more a fruit infusion, it’s absolutely perfectly appley. The pot is small however and only makes 1.5 cups of tea which is a bit of a shame as I could drink several cups of this.
Scone tier: Date & Plain Scones served with Triple Berry Conserve & Chantilly Cream
I confessed to Trissa later that I didn’t realise that there were two types of scones as I just thought that one had more fruit than the other so I took the date scone. It’s rather good and I add the strawberry jam and Chantilly whipped vanilla cream (alas not clotted or double cream) and savour it.
Cake tier: Dark Chocolate Cup with Chocolate Mousse, Cream & fresh Raspberries; Mini Lemon Tart; Passionfruit Yo-Yo; Hummingbird Cupcake topped with Creamed Cheese icing.
I attack the Hummingbird Cupcakes topped with bright red cream cheese icing. The icing is very fluffy and light and I devour it with much relish as it’s lovely and moist and I love cream cheese icing although the icing is a little too much for Trissa who isn’t such a big sweet tooth. The passionfruit Yoyo is crumbly and good but not particularly passionfruity. The Dark Chocolate cup with mousse, cream and a raspberry on top disappears in a gulp although I’m not totally in love with the chocolate cup outer. The mini lemon tart has a very short crumbly pastry (me likey) but I’m hitting sugar overload so I leave most of this.
Komodo Mocktail $10.50
Our waitress notices that we’ve hardly touched our champagne so she offers to bring us a mocktail which is very thoughtful. She comes back with two Komodos. It’s delicious and refreshing with a seductive combination of sugar cane juice & coconut syrup, with apple & lime juices with a stick of sugar cane which we chew on while chatting.
We sit and chat for a while longer before we realise we need to do some homewares shopping so we leave the room reluctantly. In one corner there’s a wedding party being photographed, and in each and every other corner there are groups of girls perched on chairs sipping their tea and nibbling on daity morsels of food. Yep I’m right at home.
So tell me Dear Reader, do you believe in karma?
NQN and Trissa dined as guests of the Victoria Room.
The Victoria Room for High Tea
235 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, NSW
Tel: +61 (02) 9357 4488
High Tea is served:
Saturdays 12.00pm – 5.00pm
Sundays 1.00pm – 5.00pm
Bookings recommended
Open 7 days for dinner
http://www.thevictoriaroom.com/
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52 Comments | Add your own
That sounds like soo much fun!
I just got a new turkey who will make his debut the week of Thanksgiving…
How lovely of her to share her cake with you! I think inviting her to tea was the perfect way to keep the good karma going!
I believe in Karma. It was so nice of you to take her Lorraine. I’m really glad we went on that dinner and I met all of you. You are all so nice. Trissa has a heart of gold. The hummingbird cupcake is calling my name. It’s so bright and pretty.
I would like to believe in Karma but I’m not sure everyone gets their just desserts in the end….
I love the Victoria Room! It’s also great for late night chocolate Fondue and cocktails
Perhaps I’ll go with you when I’m back in Sydney? xx
ive never been to a proper high tea! im going to take my mum to one soon, i cant wait, this looks great =)
and i absolutely believe in karma, what goes around comes around.
I don’t think it helped that you mentioned a Zumbo creation at the beginning. It made the cakes at your high tea look a little… pedestrian. I would so dearly love to go to high tea though – not very common in Wagga
Do I believe in karma? Not so much. I’m more of a do unto others person I suppose.
I absolutely believe in karma. I never used to as a child as I was always bullied even though I tried to be a good friend, but now that I have got older I have a small group of incredible friends who truly love me – go figure.
I also find that little things like if I give someone a bunch of flowers I usually get two or three bunches back within a couple of weeks from other sources!!
I went there for high tea once and I found it okay; I guess I’m not a high tea sorta guy! LOL. Lovely room though, so elegant and opulent.
I love High Tea- its definitely a favourite of mine. I also truly believe in Karma as I have seen it in action.
im not a believer of karma .. most of the time
sometimes bad things happen to good people, as well as good things that happen to bad people, that’s from my experience though
this place was the 1st time i had high tea, i really like the decor and ambience, so going in there all dressed up with a room full of other girls all dressed up – makes you feel really girly & pretty haha
oooohhhh, the girly girl in me thinks this looks devine! I love the old fashioned atmosphere – just my thing! And I am a sucker for a fringed lamp. What a wonderful story for meeting Trissa – delightful.
Oooh you’ve reminded me that I’ve been wanting to do this for ages! I LOVE the cocktails at Victoria room (best apple martini of my life) and always run out of time on my trips to Sydney for high tea. I’m adding to my to-do list for when we are over in December! The cupcakes look divine!
I haven’t really sat down and thought about it. But you know, I think you are right.
Not sure if it is karma as such, but I find often that innocuous and seemingly insignificant events in my life lead to bigger things later. But I love your phrase, ‘karma by cake’!
DEFINITELY Karma – extremely generous of Trissa to share the cake, so it is great to give her such a lovely treat.
I do love the high tea at the Sofitel wentworth – it used to be very groovy & french, but since the renovations I believe it is a bit different, but still good. must go again!
I want to go here SO BADLY. I love all things dark and late night.
Yes, I believe in Karma! I’ve heard mixed reviews about the Victoria Room, glad you like it though. And how nice of the waitress to offer you mocktails!
It looks amazing! Especially the cake tier xD Sounds fun but I’m not sure I’d feel comfortable at a place like this though. I’m not the dressy type ^o^
I went to the Victoria Room for my b’day 6 months ago with hubby and in-laws and was impressed. I found it abit of a shame they did not re-fill the plates of food, as we all got abit hungry towards the end, but we all had a great time. The venue is lovely, and I had been there for b’day drinks previously, so it was good to see it during the day.
I do believe in fate and things happening for a reason and people coming back into your life, totally out of the blue. I believe people who are mean get their just desserts (sometimes…) and so long as you are happy and not hurting anyone, life is good.
I’m a huge fan of The Victoria Room – I’ve had a couple of girly afternoons there and it’s always been amazing (slightly pricey, but w/e). Do try their cocktails next time though, they’re awesome!
What a fantastic gesture of thanks. Victoria room looks lovely. I’ve been to High Tea at QVB, elegant and spacious. Food was devine and a great tea menu – great start for my Hen’s day/night.
I absolutely believe in karma and have seen it in action a number of times – both good and bad.
Question for you Lorraine (if I may), do you know where I can buy clotted cream in Sydney? After having it on scones at Betty’s Teahouse in York, England, standard or chantilly cream is just not the same.
Yay! You made it to my favourite high tea! We held my sister’s hen’s party there.
Also, my housemate’s friend makes the passionfruit yo-yos (aka melting moments) for The Victoria Room – we scored a whole box of them a few months ago. Delicious!
Oh, and I don’t really believe in karma. But I did enjoy your story.
I believe in karma. Whether you realised it or not somethings do happen …
the Komodo Mocktail sounds sooo yummy!!!
Ahh I remember that story about the piece of cake! I didn’t realise it was Trissa at the time, what a sweetie! Love the idea of karma through cake. I’ve avoided here for a while since I’ve heard mixed things about their scones but yours don’t look too bad!
I don’t like using the word ‘karma’, but I do believe that if you do something good, good will be done to you…and the opposite for when you do something bad.
My grandmother uses a phrase, “If you spit in the air, it’ll land on your face”…sorta loses something in translation, but basically, as Justin Timberlake croons, “What Goes Around Comes Around”!
I’ve never been to High Tea…
I’m pretty sure I’ve mentioned it before…but anyway…looks like you & Trissa had a great time, even though you couldn’t have your bubbly. It was nice of the waitress to bring you both mocktails though 
You’re back in my in box again. I would have shared my cake with you too. I promise I would have.
Wauw,that looks like the best place to have high tea ever!
This place looks very nice. How nice of her to offer you some of her cake
wow! high tea always look good, especially the three tier dessert stand! hee there’s nothing better than like a high tea to spend the afternoon away
How lovely! Everything looks so nice and sounds like a wonderful day out.
I absolutely believe in karma! And I love the idea of karma through cake.
This looks like it was a fantastic high tea…the Turkish Apple Tea sounds especially delicious!
Aw, what a great karma…what a great friendship developed over a piece of lovely cake, and a shared passion for food! I love that!
And I’ve got my eyes on that Walnuts & Goats Curd sandwich!!
I had a blast that afternoon – thank you so much for inviting me Lorraine! As for whether I believe in Karma – I used to believe in two karmas – good and bad and now I believe in one more – CAKE!
I don’t believe in karma, but I do believe in high tea!
If there is karma, I will be eating a celery, walnut and goats cheese sandwich for lunch today. That sounds amazing!
how very generous of both trissa and you! i could go for a hummingbird cupcake right about now…and yes, it’s 630 am.
There used to be a tea leaf reader at the high teas as well. That was a lot of fun
What a wonderful way to meet a new friend
I don’t know if I would have been as charitable if I had a small piece of $100 cake in my hand 
Beautiful! Those little sandwiches look so special.
I definitely believe in karma, I found escaped little dogs on the street twice last week and called the owner who came to collect so I’m hoping something nice happens to me soon! Why why why do they think anything other than clotted or double cream is acceptable with scones…..
I believe that a proper high tea should be a right of passage for every woman! There is nothing more girly or civilised than dressing to go and eat cakes in the middle of the afternoon!
I’ve had many a high tea here and overseas and the Victoria Room is still the best in my book. The setting is fantastic and has be coming back time after time – I love taking people with me who haven’t been before so I can experience the splendour of that room all over again with them!
And as for karma, I do believe what goes areound comes around most of the time but there are times when terrible things happen to wonderful people and it just leaves you wondering why…?
I believe in something “like” karma. I think that EVENTUALLY we all get what we deserve. But I thought that that was such a sweet gesture. What a lovely thing to offer you a slice of her special cake
. Knowing me i would have crawled into a corner and gobbled every single crumb. So glad you ended up doing afternoon tea together. Thats one of my all time favourite things to do. Have a wonderful weekend.
I’ve been to a few High Teas in Melbourne but the Victoria Room outranks them. I do believe in karma especially if you wait patiently,karma does creep up whether good or bad.
the high tea looks lovely! thanks for sharing!
i think what you refer to is the principle of reciprocity? that is, if you are kind, you often receive kindness back. If you are mean, you are often treated poorly.
no offense, but unfortunately, i have to say i don’t believe in karma. if one believes in karma, how can you know if you are ever good enough to be reincarnated into a higher state of being? (reincarnation -being the origin of the idea of karma) karma says that you get the reward/punishment you deserve. it seems better, when doing good, to do it because one seeks to be gracious, not because one want to rake up ‘good karma’ in the hope that you’ll somehow benefit down the road.
my two cents worth.
Ahh such a nice of Trissa to share the slice of heaven!
I have never been to Victoria Room before, but I keep wanting to visit sometime. You know, a bunch of food blogger dudes don’t sound too pretty LOL *pinky up with a cup*
I believe in “what goes around comes around” so I guess that’s karma, hey?
I am obsessed with high tea! The high tea at the Victoria Room looks fairly average. The best high tea I have been to is the Pret-a-Portea at the Berkley Hotel in London- what’s not to love about fashion inspired sweets!
As for karma, for the most part I don’t believe in it.. but then every now and again something happens and it makes you wonder.
jeee,,,got my parents in law convinced,,this is where we’re gonna go for christmas lunch. thanks for this post once again!
Does anybody maybe know if they are open for christmas>?
Hi Blond Duck-It was a lot of fun!
he’s so cute!
Hi Barbara-Yes it was! Thanks yes I thought so too
Hi Katherine-Cool! That’s so sweet, I really liked meeting all of you!
Hi Gastronomy Gal-Yes that is true!
Hi Christie-Ahh good plan! Absolutely darling! xxx
Hi buggy-Oh they’re wonderful! definitely do! Yep exactly!
Hi Amy-Aww yes it’s hard to compare to Zumbo isn’t it! Aww what a shame Everywhere should have a High Tea place! Ahh that’s kind of similar!
Hi Lulu-That’s wonderful to hear!
Aww that is really lovely!
hi campgrenada-I don’t know if many guys like High Tea-not that I’ve met anyway!
Mr NQN doesn’t get it at all! 
Hi sandra-yes so true, and it’s funny when you see it in action!
Hi Betty-Yes sometimes that does happen! High Tea is definitely more of a girl thing than a boy thing!
Hi Cakelaw-Thankyou! yes the room itself was stunning!
I so wanted to take some of the chairs 
Hi Madelin-Oooh apple martini sounds lovely!
Fabulous, I hope you like it!
Hi Anne-hehe cool!
Hi ms délicieuse-Interesting! haha thanks! I like to link everything to cake
Hi brussellsprout-It was! Oh I’m intrigued by it now thanks for letting me know about it!
Hi Alex-Haha well this will be perfect!
hi Betty-Cool!
Yes it was! Two teatotalers 
Hi Alice-Aww really? It’s nto too dressy butI think if one wanted to wear a hat you wouldn’t feel out of place
I always get comments like “Are you off to the races?” 
Hi Katrina-Ah yes a shame although I haven’t ever been offered a refill (that would be very nice and encourage boys to come though!). Absolutely agree with you 100%!
Hi Rose-Oh fabulous! I shall next time!
Hi toni-Oh yes the scones at the QVB are good! Best in Sydney IMHO
Absolutely! Hmm good question, I would think DJs and maybe Simon Johnson although I haven’t really looked for it myself. Yes so true!
hi KT-Haha cool! What a perfect venue for a hen’s party too!
Haha fair enough!
hi AR-That’s right!
It was really just the ticket for us!
Hi Steph-Haha yes isn’t that funny? Haha you and your scones!
Hi Liv-haha interesting saying! Don’t they always have the best sayings?
Yes it was nice of them to notice!
Hi Angela-Haha I know you would have darling!
Hi Beau-It was very lovely indeed!
Hi clekitty-I know, a total stranger too!
Hi ladyironchef-I agree, you couldn’t get a better afternoon especially when you throw in a little shopping into the mix!
Hi Anita-Thanks! It was great
Hi Faith-OH yes loved that tea-if only there was a bit more
Hi sophia-Haha thanks! Oh yes goat’s curd is amazing stuff!
Hi Trissa-You’re welcome! Haha that’s the most important one
Hi Fiona-haha!
Hi SarahKate-I wish I was too
Hi grace-That’s the best time to have cupcakes I hear
Hi Reality Raver-That would be very fun! I’d love to have my tea leaves read!
Hi Y-I know how funny is it? Haha really?
Hi Lea Ann-I love dainty sandwiches!
Hi jen-Aw how sweet of you! Yes it’s just not the same!
Hi Angela-I’m totally with you!
Absolutely!
Hi Natalie-The room is rather amazing yes! I know, that’s the only issue with karma, sometimes you wonder why things happen to good people!
Hi Heavenly Housewife-haha I think many of us would have! Thanks, you too!
Hi Liz-Ahh I didn’t realise we had a better selection, good to know! yep it does come round eventually!
Hi gazellezy-You’re welcome! No offence taken-everyone’s entitled to their own opinion.
Hi Yas-LOL It sounds like a hoot!
Yep that’s what I mean! 
Hi Stephanie-Oh I’ve heard of that one, it sounds absolutely mind blowing!
Aha!
Hi Beau-Oh fabulous, have fun!
I’d just give them a call 
I just had High Tea in the Cortile room at the Sydney Intercontinental. You should definitely put that on your list of things to do if you haven’t been already. Crepes and waffles made to order! Yum!
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