High Tea at the W Brisbane

The W Brisbane has launched its new high tea ‘Eat your art out’ and it certainly lives up to its name.

Described by the hotel as a ‘paint as sip experience like no other’, this one-of-a-kind high tea was created in partnership with QAGOMA (The Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art in Brisbane). The menu complements the art featured at the world-class hotel, with guests encouraged to walk around the hotel after their high tea to take in the inspiration for the menu.

Despite the open plan and high ceilings of the Living Room Bar, the stylish design means your high tea experience will feel intimate, while still atmospheric wherever you are seated at the bar. And the minute the high tea is placed at your table in the W Hotel’s signature stand, you’ll know you’re in for a treat.

High Tea at the W Brisbane

The colours and textures light up the stand from the bright pink cherry chocolate profiteroles to the bright green Pomme verte mousse, hazelnut breton. But more on that later. We start this high tea with the savoury selection which includes a confit duck pie, still warm from the oven with a delicious handmade short crust pastry. Next, we have a mini scrumptious tart filled with whipped lobster mouse packed with flavour, as well as my favourite from the savoury selection the wagyu beef pumpernickel bite with delicious avocado cream.

The sweet selection, which we touched on earlier, also includes a chocolate mousse tart with edible gold – because why not? As well as the absolute hero of this experience and the reason this high tea lives up to its name.

The ‘paint your own’ panna cotta is your canvas where you are invited to paint with the edible paint provided. Yes, it’s gimmicky but I’m a sucker for a gimmick, especially if it’s fun and not in-lieu of actual flavour, and this panna cotta with candied walnuts and a chocolate tart shell is certainly not lacking in flavour. Even the paint packs a punch.

‘paint your own’ panna cotta

High Tea at the W Brisbane

‘paint your own’ panna cotta

High Tea at the W Brisbane

But the uniqueness doesn’t end here. The lemon myrtle scones with sweet tomato relish is not a pairing I would have picked for myself, but was surprisingly pleasant. The aromatic lemon myrtle coats your palate with its numbing aftertaste without overpowering and while not the traditional scones you come to expect from an afternoon tea, we’re not here for the traditional.

For me the thing that sets the high tea apart, isn’t just the theatre of the experience and the feeling that you’re fine-dining but the way it comes together so well. I’ve been to many high teas where each tier seems separate from the one below it. Almost like separate meals that not only don’t tie together but by the time you reach the final tier you’re feeling too full and possibly uncomfortable to finish.

This high tea was designed to be eaten from start to finish – and you actually can. It’s clear that each mouthful has been thoughtfully placed on the stand with consideration for how every element will taste on their own and together. The flavours complement each other and there’s a balance to the whole experience that keeps you wanting more but doesn’t leave you feeling heavy or uncomfortable once you’re finished.

This is a high tea not just for high tea lovers but for lovers of food in general. A five-star experience from your very first mouthful, to your last.

‘Eat Your Art Out High Tea‘ is served every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Two-hour sittings are available from 10:45am to 3pm (last sitting time). Advance bookings are essential.

High Tea Brisbane – find more experiences
in our High Tea Venue Directory