Storytelling on a plate – a literary feast at One Square
The holiday hustle and bustle of Edinburgh’s city centre can be overwhelming. Princes Street, George Street, and St Andrew Square buzz with festive energy, but if you’re seeking a tranquil refuge after a day of Christmas shopping and exploration, the Sheraton Grand Hotel’s One Square offers the perfect escape with their Festive Storytellers’ Afternoon Tea.
What sets this experience apart is its unhurried atmosphere. There’s no sense of being rushed or feeling pressure to vacate your table, making it an ideal spot to catch up with friends in a relaxed setting. The Sheraton has truly outdone themselves with this meticulously crafted culinary journey.
Drawing inspiration from beloved Christmas tales like “A Christmas Carol” and “Nightmare Before Christmas” – and cleverly commemorating Edinburgh’s 20th anniversary as a UNESCO City of Literature – each course is a work of art. The presentation is nothing short of theatrical, with savoury items served with a mirror-faced “book” and sweet treats adorning a whimsical birdcage platter. They’ve even given a nod to that perennial Christmas movie debate starter, “Die Hard”!
The savoury selections include A Christmas Carol-inspired roast turkey and cranberry brioche, and a vibrant green sweet pea velouté with truffle crème fraiche inspired by the Nightmare Before Christmas is slurpingly good. The pork and sage stuffing bon bon, accompanied by chestnut crumb and spiced apricot ketchup, demonstrates depth of flavour and texture.
The Die Hard lemon ricotta twinkie – a cheeky reference to Sergeant Al Powell’s cinematic snack obsession – is an intriguing concept. While potentially divisive, it shows the chef’s sense of humour. Personally, I found it could benefit from being served with a zesty lemon curd or herby cream cheese to elevate the dish.
Dessert lovers will be delighted by playful reinventions of classic afternoon tea treats. The Snowman Macaron with lime curd and coconut is a whimsical touch, and the ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas chocolate orange mousse, presented as a miniature Christmas pudding, is pure indulgence.
The festive scones – spiced with brandy and studded with candied fruit – are accompanied by clotted cream, a sublime damson plum and prune jam, and a decadent chestnut and caramel chocolate spread that adds a luxurious textural dimension to the other sour cream plain scone.
The afternoon tea can be enjoyed with a glass of Champagne or one of their JING teas – single originin and single garden teas, selected from Asia’s best tea regions, all served in a unique ‘tea-iere’ – the ultimate modern tea infuser that gives leaves space to infuse with beautiful colour and flavour.
For those seeking a memorable and imaginative festive dining experience that goes beyond the ordinary, One Square’s Festive Storytellers Afternoon Tea is a must-visit culinary destination this holiday season.
· Festive Storytellers Afternoon Tea is available Wednesday to Saturday until January 4, 2025
· Priced at £59 per person
· Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options available
