High Coffee at Intercontinental Melbourne The Rialto
High Coffee is the unique experience offered by the InterContinental Melbourne The Rialto, riding on the Melbourne coffee culture. For coffee lovers this is an excellent coffee destination, with High Coffee available from 2-5pm 7 days a week. The World Loves Melbourne was invited to imbibe the High Coffee at InterContinental.
Market Lane Bar is in itself a stunning venue for a drink or light meal, situated just inside the grand entrance of the InterContinental. As with any InterContinental you can count on the high quality of the fit out and excellence of service (and I've stayed in several of these hotels from Australia to India).
The High Coffee was impressive because it gives you a truly coffee experience along with a tantalising 3 tiers of savoury and sweet treats.
Check out the above selection of savouries - Savoury muffin, Parma ham and asparagus quiche, and Wagyu pies. To be honest some of the afternoon teas arounbd Melbourne are strong on sweet items but weaker on savoury. The InterContinental High Coffee selection satisfies my need for savoury excellence, using local ingredients. I particularly enjoyed the Wagyu pies!
Another highlight was the Espresso Martini - served on arrival. Having tasted many Espresso Martinis in Melbourne I found this to have great balance and not be too overpowering.
A further selection of savoury items from the second tier was also rewarding - Smoked salmon bagel, Chicken and cranberry baguette, Millawa ashed goats cheese with rooftop honey. All were exceptional, and I enjoyed the Millawa ashed goats cheese as a local and top class product...
High Coffee was full of surprises. After enjoying the savoury treats the waitress brought us a top notch seasonal sorbet to imbibe as a palate cleanser before the sweet selections.
Then another surprise - a selection of hot scones appeared - fruit and plain scones served with double cream and home made strawberry jam. The scones were delicate and decadent, served under cloth to protect the warmth.
High Coffee had already hit the mark - but of course we were keen for the sweet selections of the top tier...
Presentation was of the high standard we expect from the InterContinental and the sweet selection didn't disappoint - Strawberry tea cake, Black forest cake, Pistachio macaroon, and Blackberry crumble. My favourite was the Pistachio macaroon, perfectly chewy and full of flavour. Another highlight for me was the Blackberry crumble - delicate with tasty fruit filling and an impressive pastry casing and crumble on top.
Don't have too many coffees before you come here. That's because after the Espresso Martini there is another coffee treat of the Cafè Corretto, a shot of perfect Espresso di Manfredi ‘corrected’ with a shot of grappa (not included in price).
Says the website -
"A modern twist on the classic afternoon tea, High Coffee is served daily in Market Lane Bar. Enjoy the exotic aromas of blender Stefano Manfredi's signature coffee, Espresso di Manfredi, complimented by a luxurious selection of sweet and savoury morsels to match. Be taken on a sensory journey from Brazil to Uganda, all in the heart of Melbourne, the coffee capital of Australia.
High Coffee is a great concept and the InterContinental delivers a top notch experience.