Notch8 Restaurant & Bar - Fairmont Hotel Vancouver
Whether at home or on the road, afternoon tea is always on my list. Back in August, I had the opportunity to travel to Vancouver, BC. In Vancouver, afternoon tea can vary depending on your choice of venue. The most popular spots for afternoon tea add their own unique, regional flavor to this age-old tradition, making the experience both elegant and modern at the same time.
As a rule, the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver (also known as the Hotel Vancouver) explores a variety of themes for their afternoon tea offering. Served at Notch8 Restaurant and Bar, in honor of Canada's 150th Anniversary guests were treated to a traditional afternoon tea, a real treat for those of us who consider ourselves "high tea" aficionados.
The three-course tea service started with a selection of tea, one teapot per guest. The artisnal tea served was provided by The Metropolitan Tea Company Ltd. (Wholesale Sales Only). My choice, an amazing Lavender Earl Grey, created from a luxury black tea. This tea combines traditional French lavender with England's famous Earl Grey and delivers a blend that has a delicate floral bouquet that compliments the citrus notes of Bergamot. Milk and rock sugar were on hand to accent or sweeten your tea. Lemon or honey available per your request.
The first course consisted of a Canadian version of a Panna Cotta, cream sweetened with maple syrup thickened with gelatin and molded. The cream was aromatized with vanilla. For those of us who are dairy-free, a seasonal fruit plate was a option each served on vintage fine china. The second course was a choice of Wildberry and Oka scones served with a Saskatoon berry compote and birch syrup chantilly. Delicious, especially if you drizzle a touch of the birch syrup chantilly over the savory Oka scone, a Canadian favorite. The second course, robust mini sandwiches, such as Montreal Smoked Meat on rye bread with mustard, Peameal Bacon Sandwich - with Canadian bacon, Ontario cheddar and mayo or Lobster Rolls with butter, chive, celery and sumac aioli. The pièce de résistance, the pastries - Canadian mini donuts, Wildberry tarts and Nanaimo chocolate and coconut vanilla creams. It was wonderful, it's also one of the more expensive Vancouver teas.
As with most Fairmont properties, the service was first rate and I was left to enjoy the ambiance, take photos and reflect on the experience. What a way to spend a Sunday afternoon!
FAIRMONT HOTEL VANCOUVER
September 20 - November 26, 2017
Wednesday - Sunday Sittings: 11am, 1pm, 3pm
Adults $59; Children $29.5 (ages 12 and under)
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