KATHY YL CHAN

It’s time for afternoon tea at Moana Surfrider ^-^

I’ve been here over two dozen times (since middle school). The menu changes often so it’s never boring. And I love looking through afternoon tea archives to see how the service has evolved over the years.

They launched another new menu last month. Let’s take a look at the details…

…a table for three on Wednesday afternoon.

(I just left NYC and got to Honolulu earlier this week. Can’t believe how cold it was there and how warm it is here. Having tea on the veranda! In a dress and no coat! What a weird, wonderful life.)

They present six tableside but there are a total of eight tea offerings.

• Moana Sunset (black tea with ‘ohelo berry and mango)
• Moana Royale (black tea with lilikoi, papaya, mango, banana and coconut)
• Veranda Breeze (black tea with Big Island vanilla and caramel)
• Mango Mele (black tea with mango and peach)
• Jasmine Phoenix Pearls
• Darjeeling
• Lemon Rooibos

I drink mainly straight teas at home (unless I’m testing/blending/tasting for client work). But when going out I like trying different blends. Pictured above, the Veranda Breeze.

Time for savories.

Egg salad with black truffles and truffle aioli on white bread. Pickled onions and shaved radish.

Smoked salmon and furikake cream cheese on rye bread. Shaved shallots, lettuce, and fried capers.

Shaved pastrami on toasted focaccia. Cucumber, lettuce, mayo, and mustard.

Shaved cured duck breast on mini croissant. Watercress, frissee and cranberry mustard.

Orange zest and blueberry scones on the middle tier. Two per person. Still warm, the ideal size…

…served with lilikoi curd and devonshire cream.

And sweets!

Mango macarons…

…lilikoi cream puff (with a cookie dough shell/crust)…

…and my favorite, a kabocha tartlet! Graham cracker crust, caramelized mac nut center, and kabocha pumpkin filling. Whipped cream and toasted pumpkin seeds.

Another round of sweets on the top tier.

Hazelnut cookies topped with dark chocolate ganche, all dipped in a chocolate shell.

The beloved haupia roll.

Chocolate pot de crème. Whipped cream and candied ginger biscotti.

The one menu item that never changes? This single scoop of green tea-lemongrass sorbet that concludes every afternoon tea service at the Moana.

One last treat. Off-menu, but do ask for it. Crushed ice and a scoop of local mango sorbet. Steeped Mango Mele (black tea with mango and peach) poured tableside. A dreamy finish ^-^