High Time for High Tea

It was just a passing fancy.

All of a sudden out of the blue I was craving to go somewhere nice for high tea. And after asking a handful of my friends if they’d like to go, I see that it’s not everyone’s cup of tea (pun intended – couldn’t help myself). I never thought of high tea as being a required taste but apparently that is the case.

It’s not that high tea has gone completely out of fashion (how can food go out of fashion?), it’s just that it’s not your normal lunch fare. But I was craving a variety of little treats. Luckily I got my sister at a moment when she was so hungry she wanted to go almost anywhere. I grabbed that moment. We were lucky to get a table at The Secret Garden.

Maybe it’s because I watched too many episodes of Downton Abbey. But I believe it’s mostly to do with the presentation and I was missing presentation. An elegantly arranged variety of goodies is always a win-win. And I find drinking tea has more of a lingering effect than drinking coffee. You tend to sip slowly and savour the moment. Plus the change in weather.

What is it about autumn that makes me want to indulge in beautifully arranged tiers of little finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and pastries served on fine china with an excuse to sip Earl Grey in style? It’s an occasion that is no longer about etiquette – it’s about intention.

We went through a variety of specialty teas served in proper tea pots covered in cozies (the British spell it with an “s” which becomes cosies). But the whole experience (because it is more of an “experience” is pretty cozy).

A little history lesson: you thought high tea was all upper crust society? Nah! It began in the Industrial Revolution, where the only thing high about it was the table.

The term “high” referred to the high-backed chairs and full-sized tables, not high society. It was the kind of tea that came with calloused hands, muddy boots, and zero patience for dainty pastries. Miners, mill workers, and factory hands made tea time a full-on meal. They didn’t invent elegance, but they sure knew how to eat.

But like all good things, high tea got a makeover. Hotels and posh venues rebranded it as a luxurious affair with champagne on the side. The coal dust was swept away, and suddenly, high tea was the darling of bridal showers and birthday brunches.

One thing is for sure – the spirit of this ritual is to slow down, steep deeply, and savour the moment, which so few of us do these days.

The Secret Garden Tea Company is located in Kerrisdale. They also have a high tea “to go” (if you prefer having it in the comfort of your own home) and the menu changes with the season. This place has a more traditional English feel. Make sure to make reservations.

https://secretgardentea.com/

Neverland Tea Salon on W Broadway – they have a whimsical Mad Hatter’s High Tea. For the little ones they have a Mad Hatter’s Tinkerbell’s High Tea.

Home

La Petite Cuillère is located in the Mount Pleasant neighbourhood. It has vintage custom interior and an innovative menu.

https://www.lapetitecuillere.ca/

A very nice place to take someone visiting from out of town is The Teahouse in Stanley Park. They serve a formal afternoon tea with a variety of teas, sandwiches, and pastries. A bit pricier than the others, but the location is beautiful. Book the conservatory if you can.

Teahouse

Food + Drink

Life/Style: Tracy Turco’s Terrific Tiki Tea Party

If anybody knows how to throw the perfect themed tea party, it’s Tracy Turco.

Originally from Miami, the multi-faceted entrepreneur now splits her time between living in New York City and Palm Springs. Fairly new to Palm Springs, Tracy Turco (nee Stern) is quickly becoming the toast of the town. And for good reason. She’s like a modern day Renaissance woman. In fact she’s been called that before in writing in reference to her extremely diverse taste in fashion and décor. Let’s just say it’s never boring. And I’m happy to call her my friend.

**Tracy wears her own design**. My dress by Trina Turk.

Husband Jerry looks on as Tracy cuts into her exquisite birthday cake from **Over the Rainbow** desserts. It was *Over the Top* good. Photo: d. king

**The sweet life.** Tracy made some of these herself. All amazingly good. Photo: d. king

On Sunday I had the pleasure of celebrating her birthday alongside her husband Jerry, their friends and a few neighbors in their fabulous Tiki inspired home in the Little Tuscany neighborhood of Palm Springs. The dress code was colorful to blend in with the surroundings, including a canary yellow T-bird convertible classic parked outside the entrance. Or shall we call it a TEA bird?

Tracy really has a natural flair for throwing it all together in a seemingly effortless looking fashion. She’s a gracious host and we all enjoyed the best sweet little treats ever while sipping on champagne, wine and of course, tea. Mind you, not just every day tea. Especially mixed by Tracy herself, very elegant, unusual and delicious. They are blended with an artist’s palette. In fact, Tracy’s premier tea collection Salon Tea, once earned her a spot in Oprah’s Favorite Things. Always full of surprises, I just learned that she previously owned a Salon Tea on South Granville Street in Vancouver.

Iced Tea and Tea Party book by Tracy Turco. Photo: d. king

Tea is only a part of what Tracy is passionate about. She’s an artist, art collector, animal advocate, author, designer, hotelier. I hope I didn’t leave anything out. Oh yes, one more thing…she has a good heart by offering a philanthropic donation to the public art fund from anyone staying at her new Art Hotel. A tiki hotel is next. She is both a savvy business woman and a nice overall person in general.

For those who are inclined to do so themselves, Tracy has written two incredible DIY books: Tea Party and Tea For You. Link below.

A few guests perfectly blending in with the surroundings. Photo: d. king

Outside the house with Michael and Tammy.

Website:

https://www.tracystern.com/

Book:

https://www.amazon.com/Tea-Party-Occasion-Fabulous-Gatherings/dp/0307346439

Drink Tea. Enjoy Life. Celebrate Often.

Good Advice!

Food + Drink

Feel-good Friday: High Tea Time

Afternoon Tea

is high on my list of feel-good things to do in the Fall. There is no trouble so great or grave that cannot be diminished by a nice cup of Tea.

High Tea is what happens between breakfast and lunch where you catch up with a good friend over a piping hot pot of earl grey and fancy little finger sandwiches, petite scones and petit fours. I love the variety. Yesterday I caught up with my friend Marion at Secret Garden Tea Company in Kerrisdale. It was lovely and delicious.

october & november high tea menu

Your table awaits

From the gleaming china and linen napkins, to the charming tea cozy that nestles your selection of specially blended Secret Garden Tea, our High Tea experience is designed to delight. So settle in. Select your tea and savour your three tier tray of beautifully hand-crafted Signature Miniatures, including sweets, sandwiches, scones, jam and, of course, Devonshire Cream.

High Tea Menu is regularly updated with seasonal delicacies.

I also left with a bag of chocolate cranberry shortbread cookies – the best!

Let’s do it again soon

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Food + Drink, Girl Who Would be King

Afternoon Delight: High on Tea

High TEA,

as opposed to having an ordinary cup of tea and a biscuit, is a welcome time-out to a dreary afternoon. Complete with finger sandwiches, scones and sweets, let’s just say it’s a bit more indulgent.

I’ve always taken advantage of any good recommended ‘high-tea’ in any city I’ve been to that happens to have one. Some of my past favorites have been at the Empress hotel in Victoria, B.C., Alvear Palace Hotel in Buenos Aries, Claridge’s in London and the Ritz-Carlton in Montreal.

In Vancouver we have the Secret Garden Tea Company. I like that it’s a family run business with a story. Owned and run by Sisters-in-law Kathy and Erin Wyder, who were inspired by their two remarkable grandmothers (Gammy Bentall + Nan McBeath). I recently ordered several dozen sandwiches for a gathering that did not disappoint. But I think the best thing is to actually go there in person to take in the ambiance.

A brief history – the British tradition began in mid 1700’s as an afternoon meal usually served between 3 and 4 o’clock. Initially, it was a meal for the working man, taken standing up or sitting on tall stools, thus the term ‘high’. Tea. Me; I’ll take mine sitting down.

From the website:

In a world of franchising and fleeting trends, the values at the core of The Secret Garden Tea Company are timeless: Stay small. Be good at what you do. If it sounds like The Secret Garden is a bit of a throwback to simpler times, it is.

Maybe that’s why, since it’s inception in 1995, people come from miles around to the cozy little teahouse. Certainly for the delicious food and soothing tea, but also for the good feeling they take home with them. A feeling that comes from relaxing instead of rushing, and from reflecting on all the sweet little good things of life. Like family. Like friends.

And a lovely cup of tea.

The Secret Garden Tea Company

Location: Kerrisdale Village

2138 West 40th Ave.
Vancouver BC
V6M 1W5

(604) 261-3070