What started as an exciting afternoon activity at Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, has morphed into an anticipated monthly event.
Butterfly tea is every second Saturday of the month at the Veranda at Moana Surfrider. The Veranda offers afternoon tea every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The Butterfly tea features a partnership with Paradise Monarchs, and guests can experience an interactive dome with monarch butterflies. They can also learn more about the butterflies and participate in a butterfly release.
“We were looking for ways to create unique, interactive experiences that would also elevate the time-honored tradition of afternoon tea along the Veranda at the First Lady of Waikiki,” says Justin Shaw, assistant food & beverage director at Moana Surfrider.
“Collaborating with Paradise Monarchs has allowed us to partner with a local company that helps foster sustainability,” adds Naehuokala Meyer, restaurant manager at Moana Surfrider.
Guests can choose from several different afternoon tea sets: Moana classic tea ($73), The Duke ($79), The First Lady ($96) and Royal Tea ($137). The classic tea includes finger sandwiches, sweets and tropical sorbet. The Duke features a hearty meal, comprising a burger with an 8-ounce patty, aged cheddar, pipikaula, Maui onion confit, pickles and roasted garlic aioli, along with sweets and a tropical sorbet. The First Lady tea includes the same offerings as the classic tea, plus a glass of sparkling rose, berries with yogurt and a souvenir fan. The Royal Tea includes everything from The First Lady tea, plus a tea-infused mimosa flight, choice of soup du jour or salad, and an omiyage gift bag.
Also available during these Saturdays is the butterfly keiki tea set ($75), which is tailored for children ages 12 and under. It includes a keiki tea set, milkshake, wearable butterfly wings, a goodie bag and live butterfly chrysalis box from Paradise Monarchs.
Regardless of the tea set they choose, all guests are able to participate in the interactive butterfly feeding tent and take photos of and with the butterflies.
The Royal Tea is the most lavish offering of the available sets, but you’ll leave full — and probably with leftovers. The tea-infused mimosa flight is a refreshing start, featuring mango-pineapple, peach and passion orange guava flavors.
Each set includes your choice of hot tea. Choose from the Moana classic teas — Hawaiian coconut, sweet peach, passion orange guava or mango pineapple — or traditional teas, like classic Earl Grey, emerald jasmine pearls, Indian Darjeeling and vanilla black.
Next comes your choice of soup du jour or salad. While the Caesar salad is light and flavorful, if the lobster chowder is available, go for that one. It’s creamy and indulgent, with ample shredded lobster on top.
The menu of savory sandwiches and desserts changes at least three times a year, according to Ryan Loo, director of food & beverage at Moana Surfrider and Sheraton Princess Kaiulani. A recent selection of savory finger sandwiches included smoked tuna with cream cheese and shichimi togarashi; duck confit blini with lilikoi, orange zest, mustard seed and parsley; lobster croissant with brown butter, tomato harissa aioli and lemon; pea and prosciutto tart with lemon aioli, mint and grated parmesan Reggiano; and truffle egg salad with truffles and truffle oil.
A recent dessert selection included blueberry orange scones with lilikoi curd and mascarpone cream; kabocha pumpkin tart with kabocha cream and vanilla whip; haupia roll cake with coconut crème and chiffon cake; red velvet cream puff with choux pastry and vanilla bean cream cheese; and blood orange macarons with blood orange jam and vanilla bean Swiss buttercream.
The meal concludes with a refreshing sorbet. If you purchased the keiki set, you get a live butterfly chrysalis box from Paradise Monarchs. The box contains a live butterfly to be released on a specified date, along with instructions on how to release it. Butterfly chrysalis boxes are also available for purchase ($35 each).
“This is a unique experience that elevates normal tea time,” Shaw says. “It creates a connection to nature, education of butterflies, Hawaiian culture and our sustainability core values.”
While afternoon tea is available every weekend at The Veranda, the resort often features special events. On Jan. 25, the Veranda will be collaborating with Native Hawaiian-owned fashion brand Kahulalea for a special afternoon tea event from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. to celebrate muumuu month in Hawaii. Guests are invited to wear their favorite muumuu to the event.
Reservations can be made via OpenTable.com.
CONTACT
The Veranda
Moana Surfrider, A Westin Resort & Spa, Waikiki Beach
2365 Kalakaua Ave., Honolulu
Phone: 808-931-8646
Website: verandawaikiki.com
Hours and parking: Afternoon tea served Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Four-hour validated valet parking available for dining customers
Kelli Shiroma Braiotta can be reached at kelli@alohastatedaily.com.
