Afternoon Tea is an art and should be an extraordinary experience one that you will cherish. Vancouver has some wonderful places for you to indulge in an Afternoon Tea experience. Each of the places is unique in what they offer along with the type of service and selection of sandwiches, pastries and desserts. I am on a journey around the city to find these extraordinary places.

Here is the first of many places that I have visited recently. The Urban Tea Merchant located downtown Vancouver is one of those true gems worth your discovery.

In their Tea Salon, Afternoon Tea is served daily and there are 3 different Tea Services to select from. You’ll want to make sure that you make an advance reservation as they often fill up, bring along a friend or two or three to join you in the experience.

I enjoyed their Signature Afternoon Tea service for $48 per person. First off, I chose my tea of choice from their vast tea selection, this decision took some thought and I guidance from my server. I chose the “Nuwaraeliya Ceylon” and this pot of tea arrived to my table.

To begin the eating journey I was served a glass bowl filled with fresh strawberries topped with Devonshire crème. This was served with a Tea-infused Elixer Jasmine Imperial Tasting Tea cold in a champagne glass.

A three tiered plate arrived to the table and was oh so beautiful, I worked my way from the bottom plate to the top and then to the middle, the bottom layer was filled with an assortment of petit sandwiches that included Cucumber, Wild Salmon on Rye, Smoked Tea Chicken cups with Lapsang Shu Chang Tea, Blue Cheese and Candied Walnut on Endive and Tomato Crostini. The top layer plate had a home made flakey scone that was served with whipped Devonshire cream with Carpe diem Tea-infused Gelee. Now on to the sweets which was the middle layer plate and featured Stolen, Chocolate Sparkle Cookies, Chocolate Covered Strawberry, Strawberry Truffle and a Salted Caramel Macaron.

My thoughts – I loved everything about The Urban Tea Merchant, from the enchanting service by their Tea Ambassadors to the white table cloth covered tables and stylish surroundings to the tasty sandwiches and sweets to the wonderful range of The O Dor Teas from France.

The other 2 Tea Services offered are the West Coast Afternoon Tea at $29 per person (minimum of 2 persons) and the Petit Afternoon Tea for $25 per person.

Style: French Tea Service

Attire: Smart Casual

Time: Afternoon Tea Service is offered 11am – 6pm daily.

The Urban Tea Merchant

1070 West Georgia, Vancouver

For reservations, please call 604-692-0071

Stay tuned to part 2 of Afternoon Tea in Vancouver.

By: Richard Wolak