Here is the fourteenth of many places that I have visited recently. The Lobby in the Pinnacle Hotel at the Pier is located in North Vancouver.

I had their Afternoon Tea service for $23.00 per person. First off, I chose my tea of choice from their selection of teas, I chose the “Health & Well Being” Green Tea.

3-tiered tray

A three tiered plate filled with an assortment of sweets and pastries (bottom plate) that included fruit tarts, lemon loaf, macarons, triple fudge brownie and scones. The middle plate of the tier was filled with assorted finger sandwiches which included crab and cucumber, free run omega 3 egg salad and green onion, yellow and orange tomato, and smoked salmon with capers. The top plate had double Devonshire cream and fruit preserves.

Sandwiches

Sweets

My thoughts –From the assortment of sandwiches I liked the free run omega 3 egg salad and green onion the best followed by the yellow and orange tomato.  The scones were moist and tasty with the fruit preservers and a spot of cream. From the assortment of sweets, we both loved the lemon loaf!

Style: English Tea Service

Attire: Smart Casual

Time: Afternoon Tea Service is offered 2pm – 5pm Saturday & Sunday

Pinnacle Pier Hotel Lobby Lounge

138 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver

For Reservations, please call 604-986-7437

Reservations can be made for Saturday and Sunday, and cost $23.00

Stay tuned to the next part of Afternoon Tea in Vancouver.

By: Richard Wolak

Here is the thirteenth of many places that I have visited recently. The Urban Tea Merchant is located downtown Vancouver.

I enjoyed the splendour of the Petit Afternoon Tea ‘A Taste of India’ service, in celebration of Vancouver’s 125^th Anniversary and the official ‘year of India in Canada’ the Urban Tea Merchant is partnering with the Indian Summer Festival.

I sat down with Proprietor, Tom James to talk about tea and savour the delicious offerings in this afternoon tea service. I asked Tom how they got involved with the Indian Summer Festival and how this unique tea experience came to reality. The Urban Tea Merchant wanted to create a feeling of the festival and be part of the community, the organizers of the Indian Tea Festival approached them and asked how they could partner in a tea loving experience. In addition to the Afternoon Tea Experience the store is being decorated all India for the summer.

I asked Tom which teas they will be featuring from India for this festival and they are:

1)    Maharajah

2)    Royal Darjeeling

3)    Tiger Hill (Nilgiri)

Mango Sorbet

To begin I was served a goblet with a mango sorbet that was so refreshing for the palate. Then the 3 tiered tray arrived for me, filled with all sorts of goodies.

3-tiered tray

I ate my way through the bottom plate of finger sandwiches from the tea-infused curried egg salad to the watercress & cucumber to the smoky tea-infused chicken cone. Then I savoured the delicious currant scone with Devonshire crème and jelly. I then ended on top plate for an outstanding chai-infused pastry crème cone and their TWG Tea macaron & Chevron strawberry.

This special tea service is $25 per person throughout the summer until August 15^th, note that it is offered for only $19 per person if you go between 12noon – 2pm Mon-Fri.

The Urban Tea Merchant

1070 West Georgia, Vancouver

For reservations, please call 604-692-0071

Stay tuned to my next Afternoon Tea experience in and around Vancouver.

By: Richard Wolak

Here is the eleventh of many places that I have visited recently. The Fairmont Pacific Rim Lobby Lounge is located in the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel in Vancouver.

I had their Afternoon Tea service for $35.00 per person. First off, I chose my tea of choice from their selection of teas, I chose the “Eros” Black Tea and my friend had the “English Breakfast Tea”.

Scones

2-tiered tray

A plate of fresh scones arrived to the table  with Devonshire cream and strawberry compote. This was followed by a two tiered plate filled with an assortment of sandwiches (bottom plate) that included an Asian selection of miso tofu, tuna tataki, crab & cucumber along with a selection of classics that included Farm raised truffle,  egg salad, chilled tiger prawn & avocado, and tandoor roasted chicken. The top plate of the tier was filled with delicious pastries which included Financier, coffee Macarons, lemon fruit tart, Matcha layer cake and a chocolate Ganache jewel.

Sandwiches

Sweets

My thoughts –I thought the Asian and Classic sandwich selections served together on the tiered tray embraced the Pacific Rim and were a great way to showcase their tea service. The scones were small in size though fresh, fluffy, tasty and delicious. From the assortment of sandwiches, the Asian selection was served Sushi style which was unique and different for an Afternoon Tea service, I loved the Crab & Cucumber as well as the Tuna Tataki. From the Classic selection the Chilled tiger prawn and avocado was my favourite. From the assortment of sweets, I absolutely loved the Matcha Layer Cake!

Style: English Tea Service

Attire: Smart Casual

Time: Afternoon Tea Service is offered 2pm – 4pm Daily

Fairmont Pacific Rim Lobby Lounge

1038 Canada Place, Vancouver

For Reservations, please call 604- 695-5502

Reservations can be made for every day of the week, and cost $35.00

Stay tuned to the next part of Afternoon Tea in Vancouver.

By: Richard Wolak

Here is the tenth of many places that I have visited recently. The Shangri-La lounge is located in the Shangri-La Hotel in Vancouver.

I had their Afternoon Tea service for $34.00 per person. First off, I chose my tea of choice from their selection of teas, I chose the “Earl Grey Tea” and my mom had the “English Breakfast Tea”.

3-tiered tray

A three tiered plate arrived to the table as well as a plate of fresh scones, we worked our way through the tiered plate from the bottom to the top, the bottom layer had assortment of sandwiches that included Pickled Cucumber with tarragon cream cheese, Shaved Roast Beef with Shiraz red onion jam, Pacific Candied Salmon with arugula cream cheese, Free Range Egg with watercress on a baby croissant.  The middle layer was filled with assorted canapés from their Asian inspired seasonal menu that included Fortune Chicken and & Wonton Salad, Char Sui Profiteroles, Silk Chive Crepe with Japanese eggplant marmalade. We then enjoyed the homemade raisin Scones served with clotted cream and housemade mango compote. Then it was back to the tiered plate to the top layer to indulge in Gogi Blossom Gelee, Smiling Budha Sesame Ball, and Opera Cake.

Sandwiches

Canapes

Scones

Sweets

My thoughts –From the assortment of sandwiches I liked the Free Range Egg on the croissant the best followed by the Pickled Cucumber with tarragon cream cheese. From the canapés I loved the Fortune Chicken and & Wonton Salad. The scones were moist and absolutely delicious with the mango compote and a dot of cream. From the assortment of sweets, we both loved the Opera Cake! The experience was relaxing and we were able to slowly make our way thru the tea service.

Style: English Tea Service

Attire: Smart Casual

Time: Afternoon Tea Service is offered 1pm – 5pm Daily

Shangri-La Hotel Lobby Lounge

1128 West Georgia Street, Vancouver

For Reservations, please call 604-689-1120

Reservations can be made for every day of the week, and cost $34.00

Stay tuned to the next part of Afternoon Tea in Vancouver.

By: Richard Wolak

To begin I was served a Tea cocktail that was made with champagne infused tea along with a strawberry tea sorbet that was so refreshing for the palate. Then the 3 tiered tray arrive for me and my friend to share that was filled with all sorts of goodies.

We ate our way thru the delicious sandwiches on the bottom tier upwards to the scones with jelly and Devonshire crème on the middle layer to top layer filled with sweet goodness from Thomas Haas sparkle cookies to heart shaped champagne filled chocolates.

Love is in the air and what better way to experience it than a Sweetheart Afternoon Tea with your ‘special’ someone.  Be it your husband, boyfriend, son or daughter, mother or grandmother, father or grandfather indulge in this sensory experience through The Urban Tea Merchant’s Sweetheart Afternoon Tea.  The Sweetheart Afternoon Tea is all part of the Love Story of Tea at The Urban Tea Merchant throughout the month of February. But does it have to end there?

To share the love, they are giving a special tea gift to every person who has their Sweetheart Afternoon Tea in their Salon de Thé.

Make your reservations soon as space is limited and they really want you to be their Valentine!

By: Richard Wolak

Here is the ninth of many places that I have visited recently. The Fish House is located in Stanley Park in Vancouver.

You will want to make sure that you make an advance reservation as they often fill up in advance, bring along a friend or two or three to join you in the experience.

I had their Afternoon Tea service for $24.00 per person. First off, I chose my tea of choice from their selection of teas, I chose the “Pear Green Tea” and my friend Alisha had the “Yin Yang Tea”.

3-tiered tray

A three tiered plate arrived to the table, we worked our way from the top plate to the bottom, the top layer had homemade organic Currant Scones served with Devonshire cream and jam along with some strawberry slices. The middle layer had an assortment of sandwiches that included Cucumber and Cream Cheese, Smoked Salmon with honey mustard and Egg salad pinwheels. The bottom layer featured Classic Crème Brulee, Banana Bread, Lemon Tarts, Chocolate Mint cookie with white chocolate centre, and Pistachio Biscotti.

Scones

Sandwiches

Sweets

My thoughts –The service was very friendly, our server Holly was wonderful and this made for a delightful afternoon tea experience. The restaurant had an incredible view of Stanley Park and the water and we felt like being in a countrylike home. From the assortment of sandwiches I liked the Smoked Salmon with honey mustard, the scones were moist, delicious and flakey, the Lemon Tarts topped with meringue crisp were the best Lemon Tarts that I have had in my Afternoon Tea series. The Teas are from T in Vancouver.

Style: English Tea Service

Attire: Smart Casual

Time: Afternoon Tea Service is offered 2pm – 4pm Daily

The Fish House

8901 Stanley Park Drive, Vancouver

For Reservations, please call 604-681-7275

Reservations can be made for: every day of the week, and cost $24.00

Stay tuned to part 10 of Afternoon Tea in Vancouver.

By: Richard Wolak

Here is the eighth of many places that I have visited recently. Provence is located in the Point Grey neighborhood in Vancouver.

You will want to make sure that you make an advance reservation as they often fill up in advance, bring along a friend or two or three to join you in the experience.

I had their Afternoon Tea service for $20.00 per person. First off, I chose my tea of choice from their selection of teas, I chose the “Earl Grey” and my friend had the “English Breakfast”.

2-tiered tray

A two tiered plate arrived to the table, we worked our way from the bottom plate to the top, the bottom layer was filled with an assortment of Savouries, Crostini that included Roasted Red Pepper and Caper Crostini, Smoked Salmon and Cucumber, Proscuitto and Goat Cheese Melt, and Tomato & Bocconcini Brochette. The top layer plate had fresh baked Deux Scones served with Crème Fraiche and preserves along with House made Biscotti, Parisian Macarons, Madeleines and Lemon Lavender Tartelette.

My thoughts –Of all the afternoon tea services that I have experienced in my series thus far, this was the first to serve a two tiered plate. The scones were a little smaller than other scones I have had previously as this was a French Tea service.  I enjoyed the outstanding Crostini and my favourites were the Roasted Red Pepper and the Smoked Salmon & Cucumber. The Madeleines were the highlight from the Sweets selection; their Teas from Mighty Leaf. The service was hospitable and welcoming, our server took great care of us, she made sure the water in the tea pots was hot and refilled our pots with hot water throughout the service. This is a wonderful neighborhood restaurant that is frequented by a loyal clientele and tea service has been offered here since 2004. If you enjoy Bubbly, for an extra charge, you can have a glass of Kir Royale for $8.00, a glass of Brut Gold Label Blue Mountain (Canada) for $11.00 or a glass of De Venoge Brut Cordon Blue (France) for $20.00.

Style: French Tea Service

Attire: Smart Casual

Time: Afternoon Tea Service is offered 2pm – 4:30pm Daily

Provence

4473 West 10^th Avenue, Vancouver

For Reservations, please call 604-222-1980

Reservations can be made for every day of the week, and cost $20.00 per person

Stay tuned to part 9 of Afternoon Tea in Vancouver.

By: Richard Wolak

Here is the seventh of many places that I have visited recently. Tracycakes Bakery Café is located in White Rock.

Inside the Bakery Cafe

You will want to make sure that you make an advance reservation as they often fill up in advance , bring along a friend or two or three to join you in the experience.

I had their Afternoon Tea service for $15 per person. First off, I chose my tea of choice from their selection of teas, I chose the “Vanilla Bean” and my friend had the “English Breakfast Americana Tea”.

3-tiered tray

A three tiered plate arrived to the table, we worked our way from the middle plate to the bottom and then the top, the middle layer was filled with an assortment of petit sandwiches that included Turkey mayo on wheat, Cucumber cream cheese on wheat, Egg salad on white and Sausage rolls. The bottom layer was filled with Cranberry raspberry scones served with Devonshire cream and raspberry jam, Blueberry lemon loaf, Cranberry orange loaf, mince meat tarts and an assortment of mini Cupcakes. The top layer had a few slices of cantaloupe and pineapple.

Cranberry Raspberry Scones

My thoughts –The scones were fresh, huge, moist and absolutely delicious and were the best that I have had so far in my afternoon tea series, the cupcakes were tasty and the sandwiches good and the tea service was pleasant with the Teas from Mighty Leaf. The service was hospitable in this ever so quaint café with the chandeliers that we loved and the great view of White Rock beach. Their Afternoon Tea service was great value for the money.

Style: English Tea Service

Attire: Casual

Time: Afternoon Tea Service is offered 12pm – 4pm Daily

Tracycakes Bakery Cafe

15015 Marine Drive, White Rock

For Reservations, please call 604-541-4668

Reservations can be made for every day of the week, and cost $15.00 per person

Stay tuned to part 8 of Afternoon Tea in Vancouver.

By: Richard Wolak

Here is the sixth of many places that I have visited recently. Secret Garden Tea Co is located in the Kerrisdale neighborhood in Vancouver.

Inside the Tea Room

You will want to make sure that you make an advance reservation as they often fill up in advance, bring along a friend or two or three to join you in the experience.

I had their Afternoon Tea service for $25.95 per person. First off, I chose my tea of choice from their selection of teas, I chose the “Cammy Darjeeling” and my friend Rosie had the “Mango Tea”.

3-tiered tray

A three tiered plate arrived to the table, we worked our way from the bottom plate to the top, the bottom layer was filled with an assortment of petit sandwiches that included Tuna salad and capers in croissants, Chicken club sandwich and Egg salad pinwheels on white bread. The middle layer plate had fresh baked Apricot scones served with Devonshire cream and jam along with Pumpkin Chocolate Cream Cheese Loaf. The top layer plate featured a selection of sweets that included Lemon Curd Tarts, Brownies and Apple Caramel Cheesecake.

Scones in the center

Apple Caramel Cheesecake center

My thoughts –The service was very friendly, our server Robyn was wonderful and this made for a delightful afternoon tea experience. The Tea store was cozy and comfortable and was full of mostly women. From the assortment of sandwiches I liked the Tuna on Croissant, the scones were moist, delicious and a perfect size, we didn’t care for the lemon curd tarts or the brownies but we both loved the apple caramel cheesecake. The Teas are a secret as they wouldn’t tell me where they were from.

Style: English Tea Service

Attire: Casual

Time: Afternoon Tea Service is offered 12pm – 4pm Daily

Secret Garden Tea Co

5559 West Boulevard, Vancouver

For Reservations, please call 604-261-3070

Reservations can be made for: 12pm, 2pm, and 4pm, every day of the week, and cost $25.95 for adults and $16.95 for children (8 and under).

Stay tuned to part 7 of Afternoon Tea in Vancouver.

By: Richard Wolak

Here is the fifth of many places that I have visited recently. 900 West Lounge is located inside Fairmont Hotel Vancouver.

Inside the Lounge

In their Lounge, Afternoon Tea is served daily. You’ll want to make sure that you make an advance reservation as they often fill up, bring along a friend or two or three to join you in the experience.

I had their Afternoon Tea service for $32 per person. First off, I chose my tea of choice from their selection of teas, I chose the “Fairmont Earl Grey”.

3-tiered tray

A three tiered plate arrived to the table, I worked my way from the middle plate to the bottom and then the top, the middle layer was filled with an assortment of petit sandwiches that included Smoked salmon on dark rye, Cucumber and Watercress, Open faced baguette with apple roasted chicken and a mini-black forest ham & brie croissant.  The bottom layer plate had fresh baked Raisin scones served with Devonshire cream and a jar of Hero jam. The top layer plate featured a selection of sweets that included a Chocolate Éclair, Fruit Tart and Cheesecake.

My thoughts – The service was wonderful and very hospitable. Being seated in the grandeur of Hotel Vancouver makes for an enjoyable afternoon tea experience, the sandwiches and pastries were good, I liked how the scones were served with fresh strawberries, however the scones were to hard for my liking and should have had a more flakey texture to them. The Teas are from Metropolitan Tea Company.

The other Tea Service offered is the Children’s Bubblegum Tea at $16 per child includes tea, finger sandwiches (PB&J, of course), fresh strawberries and cream, a giant chocolate chip cookie and a seasonal fruit tartlet.

Style: English Tea Service

Attire: Smart Casual

Time: Afternoon Tea Service is offered 2pm – 4:30pm Daily

900 West Lounge

900 West Georgia Street

For reservations please call 604-662-1900

Stay tuned to part 6 of Afternoon Tea in Vancouver.

By: Richard Wolak