When the four of us entered the Stamford Plaza's Brasserie one Sunday afternoon in anticipation of their famed high tea buffet, we were taken aback at the gluttonous sight that greeted us, for we had never seen so many sweet treats at once. There was more excess sugar than Cuba in the Soviet era.
Everywhere we looked, tables and tiered stands were piled high with all manner of sugary confections, ranging from the humble scone (albeit laced with rich butterscotch and freshly clotted cream) to more unusual offerings (thin slivers of red velvet cake with white chocolate ganache marbled with raspberry coulis, warm walnut blondies, and mini cupcakes with cachou-dotted passionfruit buttercream piped atop a moist, spongy base; to name a few).
So numerous were the offerings and so gigantic the proportions that we were certain this was no average high tea: this was a feast for the eyes and the belly, as well as a punishing task for the pancreas. My favourite treat of the day- one treat that delighted the aforementioned senses- was the red velvet cake. I'd never had it before, and was drawn in by its unusual appearance. A sponge the hue of blood with thick whirls of cream cheese icing, it cut a bizarre figure sitting between the florentines and slices of plum linzer torte. Because of the colour, I was expecting it to taste like raspberry or cherry, but my palette was instead hit with a heady punch of buttery vanilla. Unexpected but delicious!
Being a bit of a savoury girl, I was a little saddened with the lack of other nibblies available. The few hors d'oeuvres on offer- a small selection of finger sandwiches and quiches- had been shunted to the back of the room to make way for the Sizzler-style sugar buffet in the centre of the restaurant.
Perhaps there should have been a bigger selection to cater for the not-so-sweet-of-tooth?
However, I thought this was more than made up for by the gorgeous view of the Brisbane River that our patio table afforded us. On such a clear, sunny day, it was lovely to sit sipping tea and watching the ferries going by.
If you're looking for an in-and-out cake and cuppa that is quicker than a Kardashian marriage, the Stamford Plaza isn't for you. However, if you're after a long and leisurely afternoon tea in the most ambient of surroundings, I would definitely recommend it. After all, what's life without a little indulgence? :)
The Stamford Plaza Buffet High Tea is $45 per person, with tea and coffee included.
It takes place every Saturday and Sunday from 3 to 5pm.
Bookings are essential to avoid disappointment and smart-casual dress is recommended.
