After I realized that I had been to several tea parlours around Metro Vancouver, I acknowledged that I had acquired an afternoon tea bug. Whenever we go out of town, I sometimes make sure that I should go for one; a bonus experience if I can find a tea parlour that does afternoon tea with a cultural twist. In regards, to adding a cultural twist to afternoon tea, I am very disappointed that I missed the opportunity to experience the afternoon tea-Filipino style at Marco Polo Davao during my Davao 2017 trip, It would be very interesting on how Filipino cuisine could be presented in an afternoon tea. It's something that I am going to search for the next time I visit the Philippines.
Notch 8
Themed afternoon tea is another trend that's been going around. My introduction to themed tea time was from Notch 8's Enchanted Forest Afternoon Tea. Arrived with our empty bellies and plenty of stories to share, my amigas and I decided to meet up to indulge in fairyland. After meeting each other in Hotel Vancouver's lobby, we all together checked in to the cafe, and we were led to the section of Notch 8's that was transformed into a lush magical place.
Our 'enchanted' edibles were neatly arranged on a layered log tray. The presence of the 'toadstools' (meringue with chocolate glaze) on the tray added to a 'forest-y' mood.
Unfortunately, the excitement of being with my amigas prevent me from taking decent photos of our afternoon tea. Safe to say we relished every tidbit and every second at those moments, before we knew it, it was time for us to go as they limit their guests' stay to one and a half hour.
Unfortunately, the excitement of being with my amigas prevent me from taking decent photos of our afternoon tea. Safe to say we relished every tidbit and every second at those moments, before we knew it, it was time for us to go as they limit their guests' stay to one and a half hour.
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| Enchanted Forest Afternoon Tea |
Trump Champagne Lounge
One snowy afternoon, my sister and I, met up to try Trump Vancouver's take on afternoon tea. We booked it a few days earlier without any idea what that day has a surprise for us. We headed to the Trump Champagne Lounge and ignored the snowstorm warning to satisfy our curiosity.
Little did we know, they were doing a 'Beauty and the Beast' (Tale as old as time) themed afternoon tea. I remember being on cloud 9 as I was on my way to the theatre to watch it when I was young. Now a mother to a baby girl, I am looking forward to the day I will read books to her every night, and Beauty and the Beast will be one of them.
My sister and I opted for the upgraded version, it came with a glass of champagne and a box of their macarons to go. Along with the enchanted rose in the dome, our tea set was presented in an elegant birdcage instead of the hexagonal tray the lounge regularly uses. The cage looks sturdy but it hangs gracefully, and it can be rotated to make all the contents accessible on all sides. ⌒°(❛ᴗ❛)°⌒
The scones were comforting and warm, and the savouries didn't show any traces of the theme, but we enjoyed them to the last bite. Every dessert in the tea set conveyed the theme in great detail, both cookie pops, and the magic mirror cookie were all wonderfully rendered. The Belle's rose cake was sophisticated on its own. We both agreed that our bold decision to ignore the snowstorm warning to experience the 'Beauty' of the theme was worth the hassles, we would do it again in a heartbeat.
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| Beauty and the Beast cookie pops |
Note*** Trump Hotel Vancouver closed in August 2020 and re-opened in August 2022 with new name and management.
I've never done afternoon tea before, but it sounds like such a fun experience, especially with all the different themes and cultural variations. I might just have to look into it!
ReplyDeleteBritt | http://unapologeticallyyou.org
To enjoy it more, bring a bff or significant other ;)
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