High Tea at HOTA’s Palette Restaurant, Surfers Paradise

Photographer: Sally Scott
High Tea at HOTA’s Palette Restaurant
High Tea at HOTA’s Palette Restaurant

Experience the art of High Tea at Palette Restaurant, where every bite is a masterpiece in itself.

Sundays are meant for indulgence, and what better way than experiencing an exquisite High Tea at Home of the Arts affectionately known as HOTA. Palette Restaurant invites you to unwind with an afternoon of decadence set to a backdrop of Gold Coast glamour, contemporary art and culture.

Nestled within the ground floor of HOTA, Palette exudes modern elegance, with décor inspired by William Robinson’s masterpiece ‘The Rainforest’. Here earthy tones and timber elements set the stage for a sophisticated and creative dining experience.

At Palette, art isn’t confined to the walls but extends onto the plate. The High Tea menu is carefully curated by Pastry Chef Amelie Delmarche, featuring a harmonious fusion of flavours, the visually appealing High Tea is presented on a spectacular three-tiered stand, brimming with savoury and sweet treats.

We begin with the savoury selection, where a delicate smoked salmon blini with dill crème fraîche topped with smoked salmon roe sits alongside a lightly fried Wagyu shin dumpling. The prawn toast emerges as the hero, its nostalgic flavours bringing a touch of modern elegance to a classic, while the Cuban sandwich adds a touch of street food charm to the ensemble.

The scone selection on this occasion was a dense pumpkin spiced scone with salted butter and topped with smoked Murray salt.

Transitioning to the sweet selection, Chef Amelie’s creative flair takes centre stage. From the crisp and perfectly balanced strawberry and basil sable Breton to the indulgent richness of the salted caramel and chocolate tart, each bite is a testament to her culinary mastery.

Drawing inspiration from her training in France and her love of exploring flavours of South East Queensland, Chef Amelie crafts each dessert with precision and passion, with highlights like the rose, raspberry and lychee entrement showcasing her artistry.

Complimenting the High Tea is the exquisite selection of Tavalon teas, sourced from the finest growers worldwide, offering a luxurious tea-drinking experience tailored to the Australian palate. The selection includes Aussie Breakfast, Earl Grey Reserve, Royal Camomile, Jasmine Dream and more.

Service at Palette strikes the perfect balance of professionalism and warmth, ensuring a memorable dining experience for every guest. The obliging team also effortlessly caters to dietary requirements.

As a delightful farewell, we were treated to a gift of handcrafted chocolates, a collab with local chocolatier Little Cocoa, featuring some of HOTA’s iconic artworks, providing a sweet memento of the dining experience.

Whether you’re indulging in High Tea or exploring the gallery, Palette Restaurant promises a Sunday well spent, culminating in cocktails at the rooftop Exhibitionist Bar – an ode to the seamless fusion of art, culture and cuisine.

Experience the art of High Tea at Palette Restaurant, where every bite is a masterpiece in itself.

HOTA’s Palette Restaurant High Tea Menu:

High Tea at HOTA’s Palette Restaurant
High Tea at HOTA’s Palette Restaurant

(Sample menu)

Pumpkin spiced scones, cultured butter

Savoury

  • Cuban sandwich
  • Wagyu shin bun, gochujang, black vinegar
  • Prawn toast, yazu mayo, sesame
  • Blini, smoked salmon, cream cheese, smoked salmon roe

Sweet

  • Crème caramel
  • Strawberry and basil sable Breton
  • Rose, raspberry and lychee entremets
  • Champagne and elderflower éclair
  • Salted caramel and chocolate tart

 

High Tea on the Gold Coast – find more experiences
in our High Tea Venue Directory

Palette:

135 Bundall Rd, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217

When:

Every Sunday 11am-4pm

Cost:

February 2024:
High Tea with Tavalon Tea - $70 per person
Add a glass of 2016 Chandon Vintage $85 per person
Add a glass of NV Perrier-Jouet Grand Brut $100 per person

Currently (April 2024):
with Tavalon Tea $70
with a glass of Veuve Clicquot $85

Prices are correct at the time of publishing, but subject to change. Please contact the venue for further details.

Sally Scott

Sally Scott is the curator and founder of alluxia.com and freelance travel writer. Alluxia a luxury travel website devoted to connecting style conscious travellers with luxury travel experiences. Sally is a lover of good food, great wine and is in a constant state of wanderlust.

Articles by Sally