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Soft classical music played, and we were surprised to spot a violinist and cellist in a special balcony overlooking the room, playing especially for tea time. This set the tone for what would be a harmonious experience; service was impeccable and our cup runneth over with some amazing Lapsang Souchong black tea.

After choosing from a list of seventeen proprietary teas (featuring several special Peninsula blends) or paying an extra $3.00 to choose one of fifteen other premium teas including "leaves of Provence" and "African amber," the goodies were brought out.

You'd never think that the three tiers of delicate finger sandwiches and scones would be filling, but this isn't the first instance where we've asked for a doggie bag, a Peninsula doggie bag!

Onto the offerings, where there are enough of each for all diners to have their own: Little sandwiches of chamomile chicken salad and Muscat grapes, scotting smoked salmon with capers and olives, crostini of buffalo ricotta, edamame and pear tomato, and saffron-asparagus quiche; Baked goods like a plan scone, an apricot thyme scone, a heavenly molasses tea cookie and blackberry tea bar; and sweet finishers like roasted banana cheesecake, lemon profiterole, strawberry basil tart, milk chocolate panna cotta and a guava soufflé. For our favorite it's a delicious tie between the molasses tea cookie and the roasted banana cheesecake.

Should you be tempted to indulge yourself, The Peninsula offers their tea service daily, but we recommend going either on Friday, when they have mini fashion shows featuring Louis Vuitton and Escada, or on Sunday, because it lasts until the late hour of 6pm, almost allowing you to skip dinner.