Gwen Strick
Google
Never in my life have I been more impressed by a high tea.
I like high tea. I've had a lot of them. But Hardy's Verandah takes the prize. We arrived a bit early and went for a walk around the house. The views of the Adelaide Hills were pretty remarkable. When we eventually went inside, we were completely taken aback. The interiors were beautiful. Thoughtful, warm and elegant. Even the toilets were luxurious. When our host showed us to our table, the view was so good I nearly fell over. It was a real "wow" moment.
When the food arrived, it was clear this wasn’t going to be a token effort. The standard was high, everything was well executed, the flavours were interesting, and there was a lot more food than it looked like at first. We’d gone in expecting a light lunch. It wasn’t, and that was a pleasant surprise. Standouts included the coronation chicken sandwich, a cheese doughnut with a surprisingly good flavour combination, and scones that were the best I’ve ever had. No fuss. Just excellent baking.
We were celebrating a birthday and the staff brought out a complimentary brownie with a message. A small gesture, but thoughtful and well-timed. The service throughout was attentive without being over the top. The whole experience felt considered and well put together.
If you're heading to the Adelaide Hills, go to Hardy’s. Their high tea is worth it.
Thanks for a very memorable day.
♥