Nighttime Afternoon Tea at GROTTO (Cave)

During my over 20 stays in Fukuoka, this is one of the hotels I have yet to stay at. On this trip, I visited for the first time to enjoy their afternoon tea. The hotel is conveniently located with a back entrance directly connected to Tenjin city center. The lounge, aptly named "Cave," hosts a nighttime afternoon tea starting at 6:30 PM. Reservations for this tea are highly sought after, ranging from a handful to dozens at a time. Starting in November, the year-end season begins, and by December, there are already about 20 reservations on the waiting list. Interestingly, the specific plan you reserved is only revealed upon arrival. 🤣 I thought I had booked a champagne-included plan for this visit. It turns out I had confused it with a reservation in Nagoya. When seated, the staff explained the drink options, which only included coffee and tea, leaving me momentarily puzzled. Upon reviewing the reservation details, I realized the staff was absolutely correct. 😎 The champagne photo in the promotional material must have led to my misunderstanding. While additional orders are possible, the prices are not exactly budget-friendly. Still, given the high tea-like dinner setup, a sparkling drink felt essential. I asked the staff for a cocktail recommendation and ordered a delightful fruit juice-based cocktail mixed with alcohol and soda water. For the all-you-can-drink option, I chose iced coffee and Darjeeling tea. The food offerings are quite substantial, enough to serve as a meal. The menu includes a croissant sandwich with a patty reminiscent of Korean-style "neobiani," along with five savory items, making a total of six dishes. Smoked salmon and beef stew are also included, pairing wonderfully with the cocktail. The sweets selection features nine items, all in finger-food sizes, perfect for enjoying with tea as dessert. As night falls, the lounge lives up to its "Cave" name, with a dark yet cozy ambiance. The view outside is stunning, with beautifully lit landscaping creating a magical atmosphere. The staff exude a level of sophistication reminiscent of Tokyo or Osaka's Imperial Hotels, providing impeccable service. Thank you for the wonderful experience.