Bangkok | Authors' Lounge

This is the Authors' Lounge of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Bangkok.

It probably doesn't need much introduction. This place is known for one the places to go for afternoon tea or for a place to chill and soak up some historical ambiance.

I know about this place through Lonely Planet about more than 5 years ago.

Since then, I was curious to visit this place but have been putting it off until now.

The lounge is really beautiful as described in blogs and travel guides.

After 5 years, it is also noticeably more expensive to dine here 

(and you have to have the afternoon tea set, no a la carte orders allowed)

I chose the Western Afternoon Tea Set which start off with a Classic Lemon Sorbet. 

A much-welcome starter to cleanse the palate and fight off the afternoon heat of Bangkok.

Along with the afternoon tea set, you get to pick your choice of tea, I opt for "La Grand Dame", a Mariage Frères Special Blend which was created to celebrate Mandarin Oriental’s 140th anniversary.

It was described as having "a composition of grand green teas with voluptuous citrus, mandarin, clementine and yuzu is crowned by a dash of oriental rose."

Sounds complicated, but it was a rather soothing tea with delicate flavours. Works for me.

Finally, the three tier tea set arrived. This is the top tea of pastries including a Green Apple Cream and Lime Biscuit, Raspberry and Caramel Eclair, Chocolate Sable, Pineapple - Fennel Macaron etc. They changes these from time to time thus I shan't go into the specifics.

Underneath, are the "Finger Sandwiches" which include Chicken and Spinach Friand, Open Face Smoked Salmon, Sour Cream & Chive, Roulade of Honey Glazed Ham and Cheese, Boiled Egg and Mayonnaise Tea Sandwich on Parsley Brioche etc.

Finally, the Scones (and an English Fruit Cake and Soft Orange Chiffon Cake). To me, this is the essence of the afternoon tea and the most important part of it. 

From my memory, the scones were just decent, not particularly memorable. It lacks that perfect balance of the crustiness and soft chewy fluffy inside. However, this is compensated for with their homemade jams and rich clotted cream (and the really good tea)

I am glad to finally pay a visit to the Authors' Lounge of Bangkok, the ambiance and aesthetics really lived up to its name. The food was generally okay. If you are here, it is probably more of curiosity and the ambiance that drew you here rather than the food. I think, maybe I am a little young or getting older. I do not get excited over afternoon teas as I used to be during the earlier uni days or perhaps I was travelling solo.

As a solo traveler, this was a respite as much as it was a little over-indulgent for one. If it was an afternoon with a friend or two I think my experience would be a little different as well and with this setting it is definitely something to remember, with the quaint architecture, live music and elegant tea sets... Nonetheless, afternoon tea at the Authors' Lounge is still a experience worth going for at least once.

If you do not plan to take a taxi, you could walk here from Saphan Taksin BTS Station.

Authors' Lounge

Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok

48 Oriental Avenue, Bang Rak, 

Bangkok, Krung Thep Maha Nakhon 10500, Thailand