Top 6 in the Six: Afternoon Tea Treats for Mother's Day
In celebration of our moms, we're classing it up with finger sandwiches and decadent treats at these high tea hotspots.
Fairmont Royal York
100 Front St. W.
Fairmont Royal York has been providing an afternoon tea service to guests since it opened in 1929. With certified tea sommeliers on hand with information about climate, location and the picking process, aficionados and beginners will feel at home learning about the history of tea drinking from the comfort of the hotel's Library Bar. Classic finger sandwiches like cucumber and cream cheese are on the menu, but Lobster Mango Salads on soft slider buns bring a modern update to this quintessential spot.
Kitten and the Bear
1574 Queen St. W.
Head to Parkdale for a more low-key afternoon tea service at Kitten and the Bear. Diners lucky enough to snag one of the two tables (seating just five people in total) in the jam shop’s small tasting room are treated to a sampling of seasonal, small-batch preserves prepared in house. The spread also includes fresh-baked scones, made using Hewitts Dairy buttermilk, along with clotted cream and a choice of Sloane Tea or 49th Parallel Coffee.
Omni King Edward Hotel
37 King St. E.
The Omni King Edward Hotel has been offering afternoon tea service for over a century. The main floor Victoria Restaurant has an elegant, historic aesthetic that makes it a thoroughly appropriate setting for enjoying the classic English tradition. Served Friday to Sunday, this experience features the requisite scones served with Devonshire cream and house-made strawberry jam, along with savoury finger sandwiches like peppered beef with watercress. Sloane Fine Tea makes a blend specially for the hotel.
Shangri-La
188 University Ave.
Guests can listen to tranquil and serene live music in the Asian inspired Lobby Lounge while they choose one of 75 premium teas from around the globe. The Shangri-La changes their high tea menu seasonally allowing their in-house sommeliers to explore different menu pairings. Scones here are topped with berry preservatives and Cornish clotted cream. Be sure to book a reservation though, as they fill up fast.
Sorelle and Co
1050 Rutherford Rd.
Sorelle and Co's elegant second floor tea room in Yorkville is a suitably serene setting to enjoy the à la carte afternoon tea available seven days a week. Their menu is a health nut’s dream come true with gluten, soy, sesame, nut and preservative-free options available. Food and drinks are served on Victorian Style dishware partnered with golden cutlery. Be sure to get there early as the small cafe offers limited space.
Windsor Arms
18 St. Thomas St.
Spanning three cozy rooms, tea service at the Windsor Arms offers a more intimate experience complemented by the charm of the building’s long history. Afternoon tea has been served here since 1927 and the offerings retain the traditional charm you’d expect, but the menu mixes classics with updated twists like wasabi sour cream and salmon sandwiches. A $5 donation to Look Good Feel Better’s cancer support programs gets you a fancy hat to wear for the afternoon.
