You'll be surprised by what's in a Paleo High Tea but more surprised by what's not.
There's no dairy, refined sugar, flour or legumes making this high tea suitable for people with all types of intolerances and allergies.
But not all is as it seems and this spread is definitely different, except when it comes to flavour.
Designed by Pete Evans and Brisbane chef Josh Harris for Asana at Capri by Fraser in Brisbane's CBD, the spread includes all the sweet treats you would expect such as brownies, panacotta, chocolate truffles and tiny meringues with lemon butter.
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| Paleo High Tea at Asana by Pete Evans |
But not all is as it seems and this spread is definitely different, except when it comes to flavour. The truffles are bliss balls made from dates, chia seeds and cacao, the lemon meringue treats are made with paleo lemon curd using nut oil instead of gee and italian meringue made with maple syrup instead of sugar.
The paleo brownie comes with whipped coconut cream and the rounded mounds of strawberry shortcake are sprayed with cocoa butter with turmeric through it, which gives a buttery texture when it sets firm. Inside is panacotta with a strawberry gel and almond based sponge on the bottom.
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| Paleo strawberry shortcake |
The sliders (teeny, tiny hamburgers) are made with paleo bread rolls.
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| Paleo Sliders |
New on the Asana a la carte winter menu are a seafood laksa, bone marrow pho with beef short ribs, and a chicken healing broth. If you are short on time, you can also get the chicken broth just as a mug of soup through the coffee shop.
Chef Josh Harris is a big fan of the chicken broth and regularly makes batches at home .
"It's great to have in the freezer," he says. "You can pull it out and use it for a soup or sauce, or heat and add turmeric and ginger and lemongrass and have it as warming soup.
New entrees include a smoked ham hock terrine crumbed in nuts, tuna tartare, and a new winter warmer vegetarian dish with roasted seasonal vegetables and smoked black garlic. The new dessert is chocolate self saucing pudding with salted caramel coconut ice cream and maple glazed pecans and honey comb.
"The pudding has only been on the menu for a week and it's already our number one seller. It's hard to keep up with the demand for that one," says Josh.
Bottom line: High Tea is priced from $32 per person with coffee or tea and $42 with a glass of champagne.
Best tip: Take some design inspiration from the quirky decor in the restaurant and lobby.
Disclaimer: Ed+bK was a guest of Asana.
