I love, love, love tea. I would choose tea over coffee any day, unless of course I was in Italy, where I’d have an espresso simply because it’s the thing to do. OK, back to tea…my mind wanders when I think if Italy! I love tea of all kinds – black tea, green tea, roiboos tea, loose-leaf tea, herbal tea, tea with milk or without. I drink it morning, noon and night.
One of my favourite ways to enjoy tea is amongst friends during Afternoon Tea at the Windsor Arms Hotel in Toronto’s tony Yorkville neighbourhood.
The most quintessential of British customs, afternoon tea is a relatively new tradition. While the custom of drinking tea dates back to the third millennium BC in China and made popular in England during the 1660s, it wasn’t until the mid-17th century that the concept of ‘afternoon tea’ was actually born.
Historians say it was introduced in England by Anna, the seventh Duchess of Bedford, in 1840. The Duchess would be hungry around four o’clock in the afternoon and couldn’t wait until dinner, which was served at eight o’clock. She asked for a tray of tea, bread and butter and cake to be brought to her room each late afternoon. This became a habit of hers and she began inviting friends to join her. This break for tea became a fashionable event where society women would wear long gowns, gloves and hats to enjoy their tea.
Traditional afternoon tea consists of a selection of dainty sandwiches, scones served with clotted cream and preserves, cakes and pastries, along with tea served in bone china cups.
A ritual since 1927, the tea service at the Windsor Arms Hotel is a modern play on this centuries’ old tradition. The tea menu is exquisite, with both traditional and unique loose-leaf teas to choose from. My personal favourite is Black and Blue, a blueberry infused black tea.
The food, served on a three-tiered platter, is divine. On the bottom tier are fresh and fluffy scones served with preserves and Devon cream. The presentation of sandwiches includes smoked salmon with wasabi sour cream and salmon caviar; cucumber with sun-dried tomato paste and dill cream cheese; and grilled chicken, Granny Smith apples, citrus mayo, Greek yogurt and chives, and finally the most delectable goat cheese and caramelized tarts. The third and final tier holds the prettiest selection of petit fours desserts you’ve ever seen. And, as if that wasn’t enough, berries and cream are served off to the side.
The experience costs between $30 and $43 depending on what day of the week you go. You also have the option of starting off with a glass of Prosecco for an additional fee.
Can you think of a better way to spend the afternoon with girlfriends? I certainly can’t and it happens to be one of my favourite culinary experiences in the city.
