Ever After High Tea

Overview

Sitting down to high tea can feel like being swept off to another world. A relaxed couple of hours spent eating and drinking? Most days for most of us, that's pure fantasy. So it fits that W Brisbane, one of the River City's go-to places for the indulgent spread, has teamed up with the Gallery of Modern Art to theme its latest high tea after Brissie's current Fairy Tales exhibition.

This enchanting excuse to kick back over small bites and hot beverages — plus a cocktail or some champagne if you like — has been dubbed the Ever After High Tea, and is on offer every Friday–Sunday till Wednesday, April 24. Forget lunch, because you'll need to head by between 11am–3pm, getting cosy in Living Room Bar like you're in a pumpkin carriage.

The most magical of vegetables, at least where fairy tales are involved, does indeed feature on the menu. Among the sweets, you'll be looking out for the Princess Midnight Pumpkin Surprise with mango and vanilla mouse, which comes uncannily looking like the real thing. Savoury-wise, pumpkin tarts with freeze-dried goats cheese are also on offer.

Strawberry macaron clocks, Queen of Hearts chocolate and hazelnut cakes, raspberry and cranberry scones, forest mushrooms, chicken pies, cheese and herb bites, cured salmon crostini: they'll delight your tastebuds once upon a time (or as many times as you can fit in during the event's run) as well. So will a dish called Snow White's Bittersweet Poisoned Apple Mousse — which obviously isn't toxic, just cheekily named.

The two jewels in the high tea's crown? A fairy tale cookie cake book that you can paint before you eat — because playing with your food is encouraged here — and a glittery signature Love Is Blind cocktail made with vanilla vodka, mango lassi, activated charcoal, lemon juice and aquafaba.

You'll pay $79 per person for the food, plus endless tea and barista-made coffee. Add a cocktail and the price is $99. For a glass of champers instead, it's $109. And there's a $45 version for kids, which features bottomless juice, tea, babycinos and hot chocolates.