Windsor Arms Hotel: Afternoon High Tea

We all have our own Christmas Traditions. As for me, besides my family traditions of Christmas Eve dinner and then a Christmas Day party for all of our relatives, I always make it a point to visit the Windsor Arms Hotel, here in Toronto, for their famous Afternoon High Tea.  The Windsor Arms Hotel located in the Yorkville area of Toronto offers one of the best Afternoon Tea in the city since 1927. They are usually booked in advance. They offer High Tea in their beautifully decorated Tea Room.

The Windsor Arms Hotel Tea Room which has two sections. The Creme and Gold room is decorated in English style with the Floral Wallpaper and white chairs for the guests. The second section is behind the French Doors -the French Style Purple Room.  The Hats on display can be rented for a fee and proceeds are donated to Charity.

The English Tea Room decorated with Crystal lighting and with Framed Paintings. This section shows a very cozy, elegant and relaxing area for Afternoon High Tea.

    

Behind the Double French Doors is the Purple coloured Room with the massive Fireplace and huge Crystal Chandelier. The White framed Mirrors sets the design of the Tea Room. The Large windows in the Tea  Room gives plenty of sunlight. These rooms felt like we were having tea in a home. There are sofas near the windows to sit on while having tea which adds to the ambiance of  homey elegance and comfort.

There are 3 different menus offered in the Afternoon High Tea: Creme Tea, Full Tea and Complete Tea.

CREAM TEA

A Choice of our Loose-Leaf Teas
~~
Fresh Scones with Preserves
and Devon Cream
~~
Petits Fours

FULL TEA

A Choice of our Loose-Leaf Teas
~~
Fresh Scones with Preserves
and Devon Cream
~~
A Presentation of Fresh Sandwiches:

Smoked Salmon and Wasabi Sour Cream
with Salmon Caviar

&
Cucumber with Sundried Tomato Paste
and Dill Cream Cheese
&
Grilled Chicken, Granny Smith Apples
Citrus Mayonnaise, Greek Yogurt & Chives

~~
Goat Cheese
and Caramelized Shallot Tart
~~
Berries and Whipped Cream
~~
Petits Fours

COMPLETE TEA

Full Tea with
A glass of Sherry or Sparkling Wine

The whole service comes with your own Tea Service: Tea pot usually in English China, tea strainer,  beautiful White China Tea cups and plates and the Silverware.  Above are samples of the tea sandwiches. A glass of  Sparkling Wine is included in the  Complete Tea Menu. Very elegant and delicious! Definitely so English!

Fresh Scones with the servings of the different jams and English Devon Cream  on the side. Above are the Tea sandwiches: Smoked salmon with Salmon Caviar, and Cucumber with Sundried Tomato Paste. Beside the scones is the only Goat Cheese Tart left. I ate most of them!

The Windsor Arms serves many different types of Loose Leaf Teas from the English Earl Grey with Roses, the French Lavender to the Indian Darjeeling Tea and Russian Caravan composed of China Black Tea, Lapsang Souchong and Bergamot.  Some teas in  their menu are called Passion & Envy, Tibetan Tiger and Black Velvet, among others. These are composed of many different types of teas. These teas are so fragrant when served in your own Tea Pot and delicious! My tea above was the French Lavander.

Towards the end of our Tea, fresh Strawberries and Creme were served for dessert. There were also Petit Fours included in the Complete Tea. Perfect combination of Sparking Wine with Strawberries and Creme.

Views of the  Elegant Lobby of the Windsor Arms Hotel.

Afternoon High Tea is one of my Christmas Traditions.  Usually, they decorate the lobby with a massive Christmas Tree. But during the time we were there, they have not decorated the hotel with Christmas decorations. Maybe next year, I can share the hotel's Christmas decorations. But believe it or not, the Afternoon High Tea was very filling!  We were so full after the meal! I enjoy doing it because the Windsor Arms Hotel has an elegant ambiance and they provide great service!  The hotel is located in the Yorkville area of Toronto where all of the High-end  Shops including Holt Renfrew are located. So usually, after a long walk along Bloor St, shopping around, it is a relaxing break to have Afternoon High Tea at Windsor Arms Hotel here in Toronto.

For more information: http://www.windsorarmshotel.com/