QTea – a decadent high tea by QT Sydney

It’s a high tea full of high drama – but the good kind

There’s a DJ on the decks spinning out laid back grooves on the Saturday afternoon that Inner West Mums visits QT Sydney to indulge in their QTea – a high tea with a difference. A DJ? At a high tea? Yes. But even before we arrive at Level 1 of the art-deco Gowings Building, a QT Director of Chaos – yes you heard us right and no, it’s not a 3-year-old let loose with a pack of Textas – in a glamorous waratah print costume befitting a Baz Luhrmann production, welcomes us in with a flourish. It’s the start of an experience peppered with theatrical touches (a nod to the neighbouring State Theatre) that leaves us feeling we aren’t in Kansas high tea territory anymore Toto.

The venue

Exit the lift, enter stage right, and we’re in the QT Sydney Lobby Lounge. A dark-hued room scattered with velvet tub chairs accented with brushed gold, pops of colour from retro film posters and stage props, and a riot of textures and patterns to make a Picasso devotee proud. It’s a room that feel can feel overwhelming and intriguing all at once. Where to rest your eyes – the stage lights in the corner or the decoupage ceiling art? Is it a stage set? A hotel lobby? A high tea destination? Maybe it’s all. Maybe it’s none. So leave your pre-conceived notions of high tea down on George St where they belong – this is the QT after all, a boutique hotel chain known for shaking up the traditional hospitality experience. And with their high tea – make that QTea – they’re unapologetically breaking the mould. Forget tiered platters of sandwiches, scones, sweets and savouries. This a cubist interpretation of high tea – well the platter at least. Ours is a spinning jet-black tower of cubes each filled with an Insta-worthy treat, waiting to be admired, snapped and devoured.

QT Sydney Lobby Lounge – QTea dining area

QTea Experience (image courtesy of QT Sydney)

The food

Work your way from the bottom to the top, says our scarlet-lipped hostess, pointing to savouries like the Prawn Cocktail – juicy prawns smothered in coconut, chilli and lime mayo in a pillow-like brioche bun – and the Goat’s Cheese Tart, a dainty nibble of confit tomato and asparagus on a bed of Meredith Dairy goat’s cheese. And before you start the sweets, she adds, be sure to have the Yuzu Tart, it helps to cleanse the palate.

Like Alice we follow the White Rabbit’s instructions to the letter and make quick work of the remaining savouries: a Smoked Salmon Blini, the ‘Caesar Slider’ – a lettuce leaf cupping a melange of chicken, Caesar salad dressing and parmesan – and the ‘Garden Patch’, a pretty raspberry coloured tart filled with delicate micro-herbs and flowers, and puree of garden peas.

For those who like their high teas heavy with savouries, this one leans on the sweet side. And it’s no surprise given macaron king Adriano Zumbo is at the helm. Our spinning cube of treats comes crowned with four ‘Zumbarons’ each a different flavour – the Milo and Raspberry-choc are our faves. There’s the too-pretty-to-eat ‘Just Love Me’ heart of chocolate mousse covered in a raspberry glaze so shiny you could touch up your lipstick looking into it and a chocolate dacquoise and spiced orange ‘Christmas Cake’, which thankfully bears no resemblance to the dense fruit cakes of our childhood. And of course, Zumbo’s take on a scone. Scone traditionalists, look away now. This scone interpretation isn’t even spherical but square. Fortunately pastry shapes seem to have little impact on taste as this quickly disappears under a slather of clotted cream and Strawberry & Lemon Myrtle Jam.

The teas
Not content to stop at reinventing the high tea experience, the QT Sydney have concocted their own signature house-blend, exclusive to the QTea – and it’s just the tipple for this luxe dining experience. The Burnt Blueberry tea is everything it’s moniker suggests – jam-like berry notes greet you with every sip and are perfect paired with sweets or savouries. Fancy something more vibrant? The high-voltage teal of the Bohemian Blue – reminiscent of an 80s curaçao cocktail – seems at odds with its soothing lemon and ginger flavour. But it’s just the thing when you’ve scoffed one too many Zumbarons!

Bohemian Blue Tea (image courtesy of QT Sydney)

The cocktails
This is the QTea so go rogue and ditch the champers – although there’s a delightful 2013 Perrier-Jouët ‘Belle Époque’ on the menu if you feel inclined – and indulge in something a bit more risqué, for a high tea at least. Start with the Vanilla Passionfruit Pisco Sour, a fresh lime-zinger of a drink that arrives in a whisky tumbler with a star anise floating on a bed of frothy egg-whites. Then work your way the High Chai Daquiri – made with cold brew chai and Turkish Delight Tea, it’s a spicy rum affair which that have you ordering seconds.

The verdict
Not your traditional high tea – and all the better for it. Wear a fab frock, bring your glamorous aunt, come for your first or fiftieth date, book the airy private room for a hen’s do or decadent baby shower, or even celebrate a milestone event.

QTea at QT Sydney

49 Market Street, Sydney

Saturday and Sunday, 11:00am – 4:00pm

Lobby Lounge & Studio Q

For menus, pricing and to make a booking visit QT Hotel Sydney QTea

Want more Sydney high tea experiences? Check out our review of the best celebration high teas here.

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About Author

Francesca Millena

Writer, foodie and ideas-sponge, Francesca grew up in the Inner West and loves writing about all things IW related from playgrounds and podcasts, restaurants and retail, bubble tea and basketball courts. Mum to an active child, she also knows a thing or two about keeping a little one entertained on a rainy day.

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