Murray Building, perched mid-way up the hill on Cotton Tree Drive, has finally completed its transformation from drab office building to swanky five-star establishment: The Murray. Excited to see what changes had been wrought, Gafencu was among the first to partake in The Murray’s F&B offerings, namely afternoon tea at the Garden Lounge and cocktail concoctions at Murray Lane.
The Murray Signature Afternoon Tea, priced at HK$295 per head, is served at the spacious Garden Lounge. It seems the perfect surrounds to enjoy a refreshing afternoon reprieve, with floor-to-ceiling windows allowing beams of natural sunlight to waft in, while also allowing guests to take in the picturesque greenery of Murray Lawns outside.
When the two-tier tea set arrives, it’s in a burst of eye-popping colour. Among the sweet nibbles were a refreshingly tart Citron Tea Cake, and our personal favourite, a Sweet Blueberry and Mascarpone Crème Verrine. The savouries, meanwhile, included a line of rainbow-coloured finger sandwiches with more traditional fillings like smoked salmon, cucumber and eggs-mayo.
The standouts, though, were the sinfully luxurious scones. Complemented with fresh clotted cream and a range of fruit compotes, each mouthful was a guilty pleasure. There was a whole array of Jing tea to wash down these tasty treats with, but we opted for their signature Golden Garden, a delicate, citrusy camomile-oolong iced tea blend that perfectly balanced the stronger flavours of the tea set.
After having our fill, we meandered downstairs to Murray Lane, the hotel bar. Boasting strong lines and dark, masculine colours, this seems like the perfect spot for weary finance-types from nearby banks to relax after work.
Helmed by head mixologist Kervin Unido, an award-winning bartender who’s already fronted some of the city’s favourite watering holes, cocktail craftsmanship is very much the focus here. Standouts here include the potent Nifty Fifty (HK$150), Unido’s take on the classic Manhattan cocktail, and VOC, a sweet-yet-sour concoction boasting notes of maple, ginger and cassia. Meanwhile, alcohol-averse drinkers can opt for a tasty mocktail from the bar’s ‘Free-Spirited’ menu.
It seems, then, that the new F&B options at The Murray has something for everyone, be it an afternoon tea with your girlfriends or a post-work tete-a-tete with your colleagues. And soon, there will be even more to look forward to, as a new rooftop eatery, Popinjays, is set to open in the coming months.