Enjoy three tiers full of yummy afternoon tea with a delicious The Height of High Tea in Brisbane at The Lab in Treasury Brisbane Hotel.

The Height of High Tea

The Height of High Tea matches the old-world opulence of the five-star Treasury Hotel with sweet and savoury bites, champagne or tea for afternoon tea in Brisbane. You might like to start with your favourite piece from the plates, but I recommend working from savoury through to sweet.  Start with the sandwiches on the middle plate, work through the scones on the top and finish with delicious sweet treats! This afternoon tea in Brisbane is held every Saturday and Sunday in The Lab, a restaurant that looks out over Brisbane’s George Street.

The High Tea tradition

A big shout out to the Duchess of Bedford, Anna Maria Stanhope who lived from 1783 to 1857.  Anna, who was a Lady in Waiting to Queen Victoria, is the one credited with starting the tradition of afternoon teatime. My stomach thanks, you Anna!

Around that time lunch was a small meal and the Duchess found she was suffering from that ‘sinking’ feeling in the stomach around 4 pm in the afternoon. You know the feeling that comes from not having enough to eat when dinner is not until 8 pm. 

Working the system, the canny Duchess first asked her servants to sneak a pot of tea and a few treats to her room. This soon became an extra afternoon meal where the Duchess invited a few gal pals to join her in her rooms at Belvoir Castle. Here’s a peek at Belvoir Castle which is pretty special as one of the finest examples of Regency architecture in the world. 

What was on the menu?  The Duchess asked for small cakes, assorted sweets and bread and butter sandwiches.  It came with a pot of tea of course. The idea of inviting friends for ‘tea and a walk in the fields’ became popular throughout society.

What’s on the menu at a Treasury High Tea?

Channel the Duchess of Bedford and enjoy an elegant high tea experience in the ambient surrounds of Treasury Hotel.  Executive Chef, Steven Jones perfected decadent sweet and savoury afternoon tea offering during his years working at five-star establishments in London, and it shows. The tiered stand includes three layers of sweet and savoury treats.  I started with the middle savoury layer of fresh finger sandwiches filled with everything from smoked salmon to egg and lettuce.  There was something for all tastes.

The top layer was next on my list with its combination of savoury tarts and scones.  Freshly whipped cream and a dollop of strawberry jam are my favourite scone toppings, so I was delighted. On the base plate was a showstopping array of sweets.  There were tiny lemon meringue pies and caramel macarons, chocolate cups and opera cake, and pink-iced profiteroles. 

There is a bottomless choice from seven French hand-crafted La Maison Du Thé teas, including peppermint and chamomile. For me, the best match was a classic English Breakfast.

While I enjoyed tea for two with my gal pal, the tables around us were filled with families, a bridal shower and a women’s event.  Of course, you don’t really need a reason at all to treat yourself to a high tea. 

The Height of High Tea

You can indulge with this sumptuous afternoon tea in Brisbane on Saturdays and Sundays with bookings available between 1 pm and 3 pm. The Standard High Tea costs $58 per person and $25 per child. Amp up your high tea with a two-hour Chandon package that includes a selection of Chandon sparkling wines for $69 per person.

Find out more here or call 1800 506 889 to book.

Here’s what it is like to stay at the Treasury Brisbane Hotel. Treasury Brisbane is also home to Black Hide by Gambaro.

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