High Tea with a Touch of Swag – Bursaria Style at Abbotsford Convent

A few Saturdays ago, we took advantage of the last breath of warm weather and took off on an impromptu long drive to the Yarra Valley. We visited the beautiful Yering Station vineyard where there was much wine guzzling (amazing dry Riesling) and dined at their amazing restaurant surrounded by the most wondrous views. The highlight of the meal was definitely the eye fillet with a beef cheek filled cigar. Genius. And did I mention the views? Wow. It just added to the whole experience. On the left of the restaurant were two handy helicopters that were calling maaa name. It was a perfect day with clear blue skies. See Rib Brutha’s rad post!

Bursaria High Tea costume Flossy

The next day, I went along to the Bursaria “A touch of…” High Tea for even more boozing. I was initially hesitant about going because I’ve never really contemplated about going to a  High Tea (a blokey thing perhaps?) and I’ve only ever been once, but I’m not one to refuse any invitation when dessert is involved plus the Abbotsford Convent is the shizz. The last time I was here was for the Summer Bake Off judging gig which was a scorcher of a day.  As we walked in, there was the Sunday crafts market happening with vintage clothing and other tid bits on sale along with other new cafes and eateries I never knew even existed. What rock have I been under hey?! For reals.

Bursaria High Tea abbotsford convent

We wandered around the premises like a pack lost puppies until we found where the party was at. A sign was perhaps the dead giveaway! Blind leading the blind. I blame Shellie and Agnes…but I’m sure they’ll tell you otherwise. We were greeted with a glass of bubbly but what was more interesting was who Shellie referred to as, Flossie. Big props on the costume and the fairy floss themed weave. I would wear that to a potluck as my contribution. So I like to wear fairy floss, so whaaat?!

I hadn’t eaten that day so I was starving and after thirty minutes, I was getting way tipsy so I stopped drinking and went on a search for a glass of  lemonade with rosewater and vanilla sugar syrup whilst I peered into the ballroom where all the food was being layed out and awaiting imminent high tea throwdown. Sorry, I’m such a bloke when it comes to these things. High Tea etiquette need not apply. I mean geeze, I came wearing chinos, my weekend shirt and flip flops. Best.

Bursaria High Tea Rosina Function room

The set up was classy with a touch of swag – cue the retro fuck playing DJ . The Rosina Function Space is the perfect venue for this event with its large open space, surrounded by so much history and touches of nostalgic features throughout.

DJ at Bursaria High Tea

As we sat down, our eyes fixated on the boards of sweets laid out just RIPE for the taking. Being polite individuals, we started with some chit chat about the weather, our weekends but with our tummy’s growling as loud as freight trains, we cut straight to the chase and Joyce went in for the first kill and with no hesitation, the rest of us followed. I started with the quintessential high tea must have – scones (double cream!) then hopped onto the Rosewater meringues, seasonal berries filled with marscarpone cream then immediately followed that up with the fav so far, crème brulee, lightly scented with lavender.

desserts at Bursaria High Tea

As you can see, rather than being served in tiers, the sweets were served on boards – something I felt was way cooler and practical. Plus, you can fit more food!

Dessert board at Bursaria High Tea abbotsford convent

Chocolate pots at Bursaria High Tea

The mini lemon meringue pies were abit of a let down. So pretty like a well formed soft serve cone as you can see, yet possessed a way hard meringue high top. The Organic chocolate pots on the other hand with salted caramel toffee and clotted cream were a hit and definitely required a second… or was a fourth serving. Who’s counting?!

lemon meringue at Bursaria High Tea#lemonmeriguecloseupwars with Shellie.

My fav? Gosh, let me think about that one. Hmm. *paces up and down the hallway* OK. I’d have to go with the flossy floss floss aka vanilla, rose and pistachio pannacotta with pomegranate syrup. All the falvours were so perfectly subtle it needed at least two servings to really take notice of the pomegranate plus, I was in need of more floss.

vanilla rose and pistachio pannacotta with pomegranate syrup

As the savoury boards started to arrive, our faces, though covered in chocolate, lit up and after the photo session, I attacked the herb and citrus prawn skewers which were wrapped in crunchy noodles. Loved the lemon aioli.

Prawns skewers at Bursaria High Tea

I recall gunning down several shots of the cream of mushroom soup with truffle oil and red pepper tapenade. It was great to see this point of difference. The soup helped break things up a little and was a perfect contrast to the sausage rolls, chorizo, spinach and ricotta pastry rolls and went well with the pillow soft poached chicken, almonds and celery crust-less sandwiches.

savoury board at Bursaria High Tea

Aerial shot!

savoury items at Bursaria High Tea

Overall, it was an enjoyable afternoon full of laughter, a beautiful venue that really suited the occasion and a good selection of items that I rarely see at a high tea. Additionally, the funky tunes whipped up by the DJ and the vintage theme was a unique point of difference, changing the game of high tea making it more appealing for big kids like me who also wants to have abit of fun.  Bursaria’s A Touch of… High Tea? Do it. In fact you can! It’s held on the third Sunday of each month until September from 2 – 4 PM at $55 per head.

They also have a Mothers Day shindig coming up on May 12 – with two sessions at 10am and 2pm that run in 2 hour blocks. I’d soooo be taking mum if she were into sweets! Although, come to think about it,  that does mean more for me..hmm. *cue evil laugh*

Bursaria High Tea details

Food Bloggers taking photos

Zee Details:
Rosina Function Space (please note: not the Rosina Auditorium)
Address: 1 St Heliers Street, Abbotsford
Held on the third Sunday of each month until September from 2 – 4 PM at $55 per head.
Bookings: bookings@bursaria.com.au
Ph: 03 9417 7771

Food Rehab attended as a guest courtesy of Bursaria and Zilla & Brook

Also check out my fellow blogger’s posts on the event: I’m So Hungree, MEL: Hot or Not, IronChefShellie

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Keep eating…LIKE CRAZAAY!

Adrian

28 thoughts on “High Tea with a Touch of Swag – Bursaria Style at Abbotsford Convent

  1. I would be the person stealing all the fairy floss and toffee garnishes from the cups and then pleading ignorance when called out.

  2. Oh I have been hearing so much about this place!! I love the look of the high tea, looks awesome. The little boards are definitely way more practical… and easier to photograph 😉

  3. Looked like a pretty swag high tea! Haha it’s been a while since I’ve been to a high tea but the next time I go to one, I’ll probably end up going in bum clothes :p

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