In this New Zealand food vlog, I headed into the centre of Auckland CBD to try the JW Marriott afternoon tea at the Forum Bar — and it was a completely new experience for me because I’d never stayed or eaten at this hotel before. The high tea is $65 per person (and they also offer a children’s option for around $30), which I actually think is pretty good value compared to some other Auckland afternoon teas I’ve reviewed. It’s not bottomless, though — you get one drink included, and I went for a hot chocolate. The menu is a proper mix of sweet and savoury, plus two different scones (which is what pulled me in). I started with the savouries like smoked salmon with Granny Smith and a few more unusual options — and funnily enough, the one I expected to like least (the cucumber and mint cannelloni) ended up being my favourite. On the sweet side, there were macarons (with a subtle basil note), an opera cake (not my thing because I don’t like coffee), and a chocolate and Earl Grey tart that was honestly the winner for me — super thick, rich chocolate ganache and really flaky pastry with a subtle Earl Grey flavour. I finished with the scones: chocolate orange and cheese & thyme, both warm when they arrived and really spongy inside, and I left very full (with a doggy bag for later).