For W Retreat & Spa Bali – Seminyak, the month of March was a very busy one indeed. Their third year anniversary fell on the 1st March, so what better excuse to celebrate in true W style, right through to the end of the month?
Stylishly named “A New Scene Unseen”, the month-long celebrations at W Retreat & Spa Bali abandoned the typical formalities of an anniversary to instead host a brilliant line up of gourmet foodie events, including a fanciful “MAD T PARTY” hosted by pâtissier-cum-TV sensation, Adriano Zumbo, followed by the launch of W’s Hawker-style brunch concept at the vibrant FIRE restaurant.
Celebrations kicked off on Saturday March 1st with the “WE’RE TURNING 3” anniversary blowout. Innovative cocktails were shaken up by the resort’s masterful mixologists, accompanied by funky tunes and international fashion shows. Once the models finished strutting the runways and the DJ decks stopped spinning, W Bali geared up for the revamp of their deliciously decadent afternoon “T-PARTY”. On March 6th the cherished afternoon tea ritual at W Lounge saw a colourful makeover from Australia’s most celebrated pâtissier, Adriano Zumbo. Complete with a new name and an added touch of Alice in Wonderland flare, the “MAD T-PARTY” was born.
Zumbo is most famously known for his MasterChef Australia croquembouche, his melt-in-your-mouth macarons and his whimsical concept stores, so for the new-and-improved “MAD T-PARTY”, the superstar chef designed and created some very special signature desserts exclusively for the relaunch, which can now be enjoyed everyday in the W Lounge. Think babi guling, popcorn and bubblegum flavoured macarons, Zumbo’s famous Zonuts and his V8 Vanilla cake, as well as some Alice in Wonderland inspired sweet mushrooms. Each creation will be splashed across the afternoon tea buffet spread, as well as being displayed in custom-made birdcage structures designed by Director of Cuisine, Richard Millar.
Then, as the month drew to a close, Sunday 23rd March saw the launch of FIRE’s new brunching concept: HAWKER HOUSE – Street Feast. Replicating a bustling South-East Asian market place, internationally acclaimed UK Chef Peter Lloyd (Executive Chef of W London – Leicester Square and Spice Market London) cooked up a selection of fiery South-East Asian fare with a Balinese twist, while guests wandered through trader stalls, food carts and festival-style bars serving pint-sized cocktails in the bustling bazaar.
The Hawker House brunch is now available every Sunday at FIRE, serving up sizzling Asian fare like freshly steamed bak pao, spicy braised pork, grilled shrimp and nasi goreng. There are also Asian twists on international classics, with our favourite being the pork belly eggs benedict oozing with juicy hunks of meat and a buttery hollandaise sauce.
The “MAD T PARTY” is available daily in W Lounge from 2.30PM to 5PM. Prices for the buffet start at IDR 165,000++ per person, and IDR 185,000++ for the Mad T-Party Birdcage. The HAWKER HOUSE brunch at FIRE starts at 12PM through to 3.30PM every Sunday, with prices from IDR 425,000++ per person.
(www.wretreatbali.com)
