Cocco Latte

Bought through: Living Social
Voucher for: High Tea for Two with a Selection of Sweet and Savoury Treats plus Pink Lemonade (Value $79.90)


Cocco Latte

Oh dear, this was definitely not a special occasion high tea. Compared to the wonderful spread I had at The Spot Tea Room in Caulfield, this was a very pale imitation, and one that would give you a red cordial headache to boot.

The location is nice enough, a reasonably expansive cafe located close to the Surrey Hills train station, and the proprietors have made a savvy decision in kitting out a good sized kids play area on site - it's not an IKEA ball park, but it should keep your little ones reasonably happy and occupied while the grown ups enjoy a cafe meal or coffee.

Alister and I were here to enjoy a lovely afternoon tea and were lucky enough to get a quiet interlude when we popped by on the weekend. 

Having booked in advance as requested by the voucher, we had a reserved table waiting by a well lit windowed corner of the cafe. The cafe seemed to unfortunately only have one type of tea (?), an ordinary black, so I decided to ask (and agreed to pay) for a skinny mocha instead as I confess a preference for Earl or Lady Grey tea. I had hoped to have a hot beverage included with this deal, but I understand that this is high tea not high coffee. 

The three-tiered platter arrived and I have to say, we were distinctly underwhelmed. Really, this was worth close to $80? I've seen better serves for less cost in the CBD!

The sandwiches were dull, other savoury appetizers looked to be from a box and not the Cocco Latte kitchens, and the sweet items on offer were so sugary they practically gave me a cavity just looking at them. And I have a sweet tooth - ask anybody! The rainbow sprinkled cake-pop brandishing a musk stick was pretty much inedible (though I can understand little ones might go nuts over its festive colours).

Our pink lemonade was not even store bought - just clear lemonade with food colouring that left a line of red on the inside of the glass - ick. 

What I was probably most disappointed about though, was the scones. 
I LOVE a good scone and it's one of my favourite indulgences for afternoon tea when I catch up with friends. My favourite is currently made to order at The Cup and Mug in Kew, and I love it with lashings of jam and cream (and extra strawberries if they're going!) 
This hard biscuit served up with a rubbery scoop of jam and cream so evaporative I suspect it came from a can is the sorriest scone I've seen in a good while. 
I have eaten better at MacCafe. All in all, the entire high tea was very dissatisfying.

Pros: A bustling location; a decent play area for children; nice interiors; and they let me have my coffee (which was quite nice) as part of the package when I went to pay for it 

Cons: I cannot recommend in any way this very disappointing high tea

The Spot Caffeteria and Tea Room

Bought through: Living Social

Voucher for: High Tea for Two People ($39) with a Glass of French Bubbly Each

The Spot Caffeteria and Tea Room

It's my friend Sarah's birthday! And what better way to catch up with my lovely pal than over a delightful afternoon high tea.

I've actually been to The Spot Caffeteria and Tea Room before - when I first arrived in Melbourne, my bestie Lian had graciously allowed me to land at her apartment in St Kilda, which was pretty much just up the road from the cafe's location in Caulfield North. 

We had a delicious menu then, though the tea room was a little cramped, and it looks like the high tea is still a very popular attraction as Sarah and I couldn't even be squeezed into the upstairs tea room this time!

But fear not, no cancellations or rebookings required, the accommodating staff just needed a small amount of time to make up a little table for us downstairs and as my friend had been stuck in traffic, timing wise this worked out perfectly - we were ready to be seated just as Sarah walked through the front door.

A High Tea is a feast for the eyes, so here are some photos of the luscious pastries and desserts on offer. 

The Spot is a charming cafe located on Balaclava Road with a steady clientele for their front cafe and a very busy upper tea room on the weekends. Each table in this section is picture perfect and reminiscent of an English garden party with lace tablecloths, floral imprinted tea cups and a tower of food topped with scones enveloped by jam and cream. My voucher also included some champagne which promptly buzzed right up my nose when I took a sip - though I'm not much a drinker, I think Sarah did enjoy hers.

There was an even amount of savoury and sweet fare, more than enough for a filling meal and it afforded a delectable dining experience for our Sunday lunch.


My favourite item would have to be the cloud shaped chocolate meringues topped with strawberries and cream.... swoon! So light and airy and utterly melt in your mouth! I also loved the sausage rolls and the mini quiches, and downed a whole pot of tea during our two hour gab fest. I'll be hitting the gym for the rest of the week!

The Spot are friendly to the group discount crowd and have had this deal a few times in the past, so keep your eye out for happy high tea bargain.


Pros: Wonderful presentation; delicious food; friendly and accommodating staff

Cons: Very busy on the weekends, book early to avoid disappointment!