Bursaria "A Touch of..." High Tea

Disclaimer: I was invited to have high tea with a couple of other bloggers

I have an issue with Melbourne. We're too darned casual these days. It's just so easy to wear a pair of jeans, smart top and jacket with a pair of heels anywhere. To me, there's just not enough opportunities to don a pretty dress and get a bit girly. 

So thank goodness for high tea. 

A few weekends ago I attended 'A Touch Of…', high tea by Bursaria Fine Foods at Abbotsford Convent, which is held the third Sunday of every month, with a couple of other bloggers, and my good friend Chill. 

After spending half an hour deciding which of my 20 dresses to wear (settled on an old Yeojin Bae number), and what shoes matched (the nude pumps of course darling), I was lucky enough to score a great parking spot and sauntered on over to the Rosina function space. 

I had been to the Rosina function space before, so had no trouble finding the gorgeous little courtyard (although I think for future events a little more signage would help!), where we were greeted with a glass of bubbly and some sweet home made lemonade, with a bit of rosewater and vanilla sugar. 

It was absolutely the most perfect weather, which made hanging out and socialising just lovely. 'Flossy' (dubbed by Shellie) came around to make sure our drinks were constantly topped up as we waited in the courtyard whilst the final touches were made inside. I kind of wanted to pinch a bit of Flossy's hair to find out if it was actually fairy floss or not...I mean it looks a lot like it right...?

Watch out Flossy, those hanging decorations are dangerous!

Having said that, it was almost an hour before we were let in, which is a little long if you ask me, however, all was forgiven once we entered the Rosina function room. 

Bright, light, airy, girly, fresh flowers, funky and easy going tunes from the dj, it's what little girls who have tea with their teddy bears dream of. 

Pitchers of lemonade awaited us at the table, waiters and waitresses were soon circling the room with thermos's filled with tea and coffee and more alcoholic beverages were available from the bar (at an additional cost). 

Sweets awaited us at the table, although we soon learnt that savouries were arriving, so although we may have had one or two sneaky bites from the sweet platter, we held off until the savouries arrived. 

Oh what a spread we had! We all honestly didn't know where to start first. Although food can often be a bit hit and miss at high tea's, I was actually fairly impressed with everything we got. 

The skewer of herb and citrus prawns wrapped in noodles, with lemon aioli, came out piping hot and were deliciously juicy, yet perfectly crisp and crunchy around the outside. Very impressed!

I also went nuts for the cream of mushroom soup with truffle oil and red pepper tapenade, which was thick, rich and so seductive on the nose with all that truffle. It was all you smelt when the wooden board was put down at first!

The chorizo, spinach and ricotta pastry rolls with a sweet tomato relish had a gorgeously flaky pastry, honey-cured salmon with remoulade on dill blinis were fresh, bright and easy to eat and the fluffy bread that the poached chicken, almond and celery sandwiches came on were just a dream.

To finish off, I went ape for (in a ladylike way) the King Island blue cheese and pear chutney, served on a very crunchy and firm fig and walnut bread. I die for King Island blue cheese  and adore figs in any bread-like carbohydrate. Match made in heaven!

Once savouries were completed, Chill was quick to dive for the scones with raspberry jam and double cream…which he had like 7 of. He liked them. A lot. 

I loved the variety of desserts they had, and how pretty they all looked. I just couldn't take my eyes off the vanilla, rose and pistachio pannacotta with pomegranate syrup, topped with a bit of fairy floss. The rosewater wasn't too strong and fairy floss is just so much fun with anything light and creamy. 

We also loved the rich and decadent organic chocolate pots, salted caramel toffee and clotted cream, which were so thick, it probably wouldn't fall out if the shot glass was turned upside down. Mmhmmm. The creme brulee, lightly scented with lavender, was light and elegant and even with a small surface area, still had a bit of that sugar crystallisation at the top, and I loved the soft and chewy rosewater meringues with seasonal berries and marscapone cream. 

The only thing I was sorely sad about, was the mini lemon meringue pies. They looked perfectly piped and an absolute treat, but soon realised that the meringue bit was rock hard, and not the soft meringue that many of us expected. There wasn't really much lemon going on there for me either, or at least the single one I had. 

But when you have one low, out of 12 or so options, you're having a pretty darned good day and it certainly didn't dampen our spirits for too long, as we chortled, chuckled, giggled and gossiped. And of course, stole leftover food from other tables (not our fault they're not hungry right?) and sipped our teas (or coffees) with our pinkies out like the snobbish people we are. Teehee.

I would say it's definitely worth getting a group together to do this, as you're put on tables of 10 and it's a great environment to have a bit of girly time. Although, if there's just two of you, you shouldn't be put off either, maybe you'll find some new tea drinking friends!

 

Bursaria Fine Foods is also doing a special morning and afternoon tea this coming Sunday, with A Vintage Affair, which would be a great way to spoil mum and get a little bit of quality time together! Find out more on their website.

Check out what some other bloggers thought of the afternoon as well!

Iron Chef Shellie

MEL: HOT OR NOT 

Bursaria Fine Foods "A Touch of..."

Rosina Function Space

1 Heliers Street, Abbotsford

$55 per person, 2-4pm

Third Sunday of each month (19th May, 16th June, 21st July, 18th August, 15th September)