Enjoying Tea While on Display
Have you ever had afternoon tea in a display window? That's exactly what I did today - have afternoon tea inside a display window at the Fairmont Vancouver Hotel. In writing my comprehensive Guide to Afternoon Tea in Vancouver, I had a chance to try almost every afternoon tea set that Vancouver has to offer and I found that the selection keeps getting better and more innovative. I thought I had seen it all until I was invited by my dear friend Alana @yvreats to be her plus one for this truly unique afternoon tea experience.
We enjoyed Fairmont Vancouver's latest themed tea set in their display window on busy Georgia street. It was a unique culinary experience that was part performance art. People passing by were at first confused, then intrigued at the fact that we were enjoying our tea in a beautiful display window. Many of them took our picture and inquired about the menu, some were so fixated on looking at us that they bumped into complete strangers. It was truly the place to see and be seen. I have never had a tea set that drew so much attention!
One of the interesting aspects of this tea service is the logistics of serving a tea set to guests sitting in a display window. There is only one entrance to the window and that is from the street level. Each time a course is served, it needed to be brought up via the few steps leading up to the window. Inside the seating area, it feels nice and cozy. You can see the distance Alana and I had between each other in the photos below. Although it's a small area, I didn't feel claustrophobic at all since there is a huge floor to ceiling window through which we saw the tall buildings outside and all the hustle and bustle that is busy Georgia Street.
80th Anniversary Theme
As you can recall from my other tea experiences at Notch8 in the Fairmont Hotel (Easter Tea, Christmas Tea, Tipsy Tea), every season they offer a new themed tea. This season it is the 80th Anniversary Tea which celebrates the hotel's long history since it's inception in 1939.
The tea service begins with an amuse-bouche: strawberry mousse with lavender, strawberry compote and meringue.
A Traditional Afternoon Tea Set
The second part of the 80th Anniversary Tea consists of finger sandwiches and scones served on a traditional 3-tier tray. I really appreciated the classic food selection and 3-tier stand, it reminded me of the traditional tea sets served at the Fairmont Vancouver before they started offering themed teas. There is something so elegant about the traditional tea experience at the Fairmont and I think this scene in particular evokes that sentiment.
A Twist on the Traditional Tea Set
The third part of the tea set will delight those who value tradition but also appreciate the novel - dessert pieces served inside a fantastical jewel box.
I really enjoyed Fairmont Hotel's Afternoon Tea in a Display Window concept and the food itself. As always, I found the food very substantial in size, quantity and variety. It was even more so in this set as I was too full and had to take all the dessert pieces home to enjoy afterwards.
The "Window" tea experience is currently sold out but the 80th Anniversary Tea Set is still served daily in the Notch8 Restaurant until Sept 1st with sittings at 11 am, 1 pm & 3 pm. I think you will really enjoy it too.
Until our next tea date.
XOXO,
Mimi
80th ANNIVERSARYAFTERNOON TEA at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver
Notch8 Restaurant & Bar
Served daily until Sept 1, sittings at 11am, 1pm & 3pm
Adults $59; Children $29.5 (ages 12 and under)
A: 900 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, V6C 2W6
T: TEL + 1 604 684 3131
All food and drinks were complimentary. All opinions are my own.
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