Sugared & Spiced, an independent food blog in Shanghai, has teamed up with City Weekend to hunt down Shanghai’s best afternoon tea. This time, we visit Aura, up high in The Ritz-Carlton, Pudong.

See our other afternoon tea reviews: Song Fang Maison de Thé, Living Room at The Park Hyatt, New Heights, Flair at The Ritz, The Waldorf Astoria and Chez Shibata.

It was a full house when I visited Aura on a Saturday afternoon. The atmosphere was perfectly vivacious – not so quiet that I felt obligated to mute my conversations, but not so loud that it felt clamorous in the least bit. With soothing live jazz permeating the air, gracious waitresses and waiters waltzing around, and a commanding view of Lujiazui and the Bund (needless to say…) – I knew this is a place worth lingering.

The Ritz-Carlton Afternoon Tea Set (RMB268 + 15%) is a traditional three-tier affair. Though it’s designed for one person only, the abundance of food is enough to satisfy two people. Smaller sets and a la carte options are also available.

1st tier: warm plain scone and raisin scone with strawberry jam and clotted cream.

2nd tier: chocolate passionfruit macaron, lemon meringue tart, Jivara chocolate caramel tart, hazelnut financier with cherry, orange mascarpone with prune cake, mixed fruit tart with sable breton, candied orange dipped in chocolate.

3rd tier: smoked salmon, herb cream cheese, sesame bagel; foie gras terrine, onion marmalade; brioche toast; poached prawn, avocado, mango salsa; cucumber rolled, chive cream and white bread; roasted chicken in pita bread; tuna sandwich; crab mayonnaise, flying fish roe.

Aura’s tiramisu (RMB85), a concoction of velvety soft Mascarpone with savoiardi cookie soaked in coffee amaretto syrup, would be a great a la carte choice.

As the day wore on, a romantic mood set in at Aura.

Delectable tidbits and gracious service, all in the cheery mood of melodious live jazz. If you are making this your next high tea destination, do know that Aura doesn’t take reservations, so come early (tea starts at 2:30pm) if you want to secure a window table.

To see more reviews by Sugared & Spiced, click here for the original blog.