I've known my two gal pals for a number of years and it's unfortunate I don't see them more often. Okay, so I don't get to see one of them as often as I would like since she lives so far away. You know across a bridge (heaven forbid!). The other friend, well if I don't see her after two weeks, I call Search and Rescue (she lives around my neighborhood). Or, I would find out if there was a knitting convention within 10-20 miles from Vancouver. To celebrate and welcome 2011, my girlfriends and I decided to treat ourselves to the Afternoon Tea at the Fairmont Hotel. The Tea at the Castle as its aptly called is offered in the 900 West Lounge.
We decided to hit Banyen Books before our 2 pm reservation. Of course we followed the usual New Year's resolution thing and we immersed ourselves in Banyen Books. We left with a healing bracelet, gluten free baking cook book, a "How to deal with Toddlers" book and a partridge in a pear tree.
Who knew shopping could be so tiring? Around noon, we felt content with our purchases, tired, and famished! We couldn't wait for 2 hours to eat! Therefore, we packed ourselves in the car and head for lunch. Isn't High Tea for deserts only?
We stopped at Chau Kitchen and Bar on Robson Street for lunch. My sister-in-law recently raved about this restaurant. We entered and was greeted by friendly hostesses. I wouldn't say the restaurant completely served authentic Vietnamese cuisine (in May, 2010 my family and I had a wonderful opportunity to visit Vietnam and the food was spectacular). Okay, back to my post, the restaurant food was tasty. I ordered the black cod/mango rice paper rolls and my friend ordered the chicken paper rolls ($3.50 each) for starters. The rolls were tasty but I thought the nuoc cham sauce should be saltier (it was a bit bland for my liking). I ordered the lemongrass chicken and chicken spring rolls "light lunch bowls," ($10.00) and I was surprised at the portion. Another girlfriend ordered the lemon grass chicken rice dish ($11.00). What's with all the chicken? We thought the portion was reasonable for the price. However, I didn't notice Vietnamese coffee on the menu and I was disappointed in this. I will often order Vietnamese coffee with my Vietnamese meal, especially when I order Pho. The decor was more modern than other Vietnamese restaurants in Vancouver. I guess I'm used to the hot sauce and napkins on the table. So for our meals, and four ice tea drinks, we paid $20.00 each which included our tip. That's reasonable. Overall, we were satisfied with our meals. Will I return? By myself probably, but not with my family. They are die-hard Pho enthusiasts and if a place doesn't serve really good Pho, I'll be in big trouble! I can picture my children's scowl and my husband nervously tugging at his eyebrow. We dine at our two favourite Vietnamese restaurants for Pho where I'm guaranteed the kids will finish their meal. You don't want to mess with Pho!
Finally, we arrived at Fairmont hotel after finding parking. Do we have room for Afternoon Tea? You betcha! There's something about higher priced hotels that always make me feel glad I wore my pearl earrings and necklace. It's probably the only place where I can wear them. Christmas decorations were still hung and a harpist played beside a Christmas tree (again so glad I wore my pearls). Our server was polite and served us our tea momentarily. I enjoyed my cup of tea in a teacup embossed with the Emperial crowns. I had the 1907 Earl Grey tea commissioned by a Duchess who clearly enjoys her tea. I usually don't like Early Grey, but a 1907 tea should be good, right? The tea was wonderful. There is a story in the menu regarding the history of Afternoon Tea. Unfortunately, I was distracted by our server placing the three tiered plate of goodness in front of me that I didn't read the rest of the story. Perhaps one of my friends could leave a comment on the history.
The bottom plate held tea sandwiches; croissants with proscuitto, apple and brie, smoked salmon with capers on a baguette with herbed cream cheese, and french bread with turkey and cranberries. There was another tea sandwich but I cannot recall the ingredients (I know it was a vegetarian option). I didn't try the turkey with cranberries, but my girlfriend took leftovers home (gasp! Yes, there were leftovers) and I'll have to ask her for her opinion. The middle tier held the most delicious scones I've ever tried. The scones had sweet currants/raisins and confectioner's sugar sprinkled on top. There was only three but I would have given up my sandwiches and one desert for all of them. The top tier held vanilla and chocolate macaroons (yummy!), lemon tarts topped with pineapple, grape and blueberry and Swan cream puff pastries. The macaroons were delicious, but I thought the lemon tarts and cream puff pastries could have been sweeter! Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining! I'm just used to sweeter deserts. The get together was wonderful. We shared stories, enjoyed the company of good friends and had a lot of laughs! Thanks friends! The Afternoon Tea was worth the splurge. Cost $50.00 per person for tea and the three tiered goodness with tax. We did leave a good tip. We agreed to make this event our annual New Year's get together, but I don't know if I could wait that long. However, there are other Afternoon Teas in Vancouver that must be attended!
Chau Kitchen and Bar
(604) 682-8020
Who knew shopping could be so tiring? Around noon, we felt content with our purchases, tired, and famished! We couldn't wait for 2 hours to eat! Therefore, we packed ourselves in the car and head for lunch. Isn't High Tea for deserts only?
We stopped at Chau Kitchen and Bar on Robson Street for lunch. My sister-in-law recently raved about this restaurant. We entered and was greeted by friendly hostesses. I wouldn't say the restaurant completely served authentic Vietnamese cuisine (in May, 2010 my family and I had a wonderful opportunity to visit Vietnam and the food was spectacular). Okay, back to my post, the restaurant food was tasty. I ordered the black cod/mango rice paper rolls and my friend ordered the chicken paper rolls ($3.50 each) for starters. The rolls were tasty but I thought the nuoc cham sauce should be saltier (it was a bit bland for my liking). I ordered the lemongrass chicken and chicken spring rolls "light lunch bowls," ($10.00) and I was surprised at the portion. Another girlfriend ordered the lemon grass chicken rice dish ($11.00). What's with all the chicken? We thought the portion was reasonable for the price. However, I didn't notice Vietnamese coffee on the menu and I was disappointed in this. I will often order Vietnamese coffee with my Vietnamese meal, especially when I order Pho. The decor was more modern than other Vietnamese restaurants in Vancouver. I guess I'm used to the hot sauce and napkins on the table. So for our meals, and four ice tea drinks, we paid $20.00 each which included our tip. That's reasonable. Overall, we were satisfied with our meals. Will I return? By myself probably, but not with my family. They are die-hard Pho enthusiasts and if a place doesn't serve really good Pho, I'll be in big trouble! I can picture my children's scowl and my husband nervously tugging at his eyebrow. We dine at our two favourite Vietnamese restaurants for Pho where I'm guaranteed the kids will finish their meal. You don't want to mess with Pho!
Finally, we arrived at Fairmont hotel after finding parking. Do we have room for Afternoon Tea? You betcha! There's something about higher priced hotels that always make me feel glad I wore my pearl earrings and necklace. It's probably the only place where I can wear them. Christmas decorations were still hung and a harpist played beside a Christmas tree (again so glad I wore my pearls). Our server was polite and served us our tea momentarily. I enjoyed my cup of tea in a teacup embossed with the Emperial crowns. I had the 1907 Earl Grey tea commissioned by a Duchess who clearly enjoys her tea. I usually don't like Early Grey, but a 1907 tea should be good, right? The tea was wonderful. There is a story in the menu regarding the history of Afternoon Tea. Unfortunately, I was distracted by our server placing the three tiered plate of goodness in front of me that I didn't read the rest of the story. Perhaps one of my friends could leave a comment on the history.
The bottom plate held tea sandwiches; croissants with proscuitto, apple and brie, smoked salmon with capers on a baguette with herbed cream cheese, and french bread with turkey and cranberries. There was another tea sandwich but I cannot recall the ingredients (I know it was a vegetarian option). I didn't try the turkey with cranberries, but my girlfriend took leftovers home (gasp! Yes, there were leftovers) and I'll have to ask her for her opinion. The middle tier held the most delicious scones I've ever tried. The scones had sweet currants/raisins and confectioner's sugar sprinkled on top. There was only three but I would have given up my sandwiches and one desert for all of them. The top tier held vanilla and chocolate macaroons (yummy!), lemon tarts topped with pineapple, grape and blueberry and Swan cream puff pastries. The macaroons were delicious, but I thought the lemon tarts and cream puff pastries could have been sweeter! Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining! I'm just used to sweeter deserts. The get together was wonderful. We shared stories, enjoyed the company of good friends and had a lot of laughs! Thanks friends! The Afternoon Tea was worth the splurge. Cost $50.00 per person for tea and the three tiered goodness with tax. We did leave a good tip. We agreed to make this event our annual New Year's get together, but I don't know if I could wait that long. However, there are other Afternoon Teas in Vancouver that must be attended!
Chau Kitchen and Bar
(604) 682-8020
(604) 684-3131
West Georgia Street
Vancouver, British Columbia
This is amazeballs! You were made to be a culinary critic. I'm serious!
ReplyDeleteThanks friend! You encouraged me to start my own blog, and here it is. I'm enjoying this. Here's to exploring many wonderful places to eat and remembering important details. hugs : )
ReplyDeleteMerse,
ReplyDeleteI must say after reading this blog it is now my #1 blog. I used to read this dryfly.ca one, but the dude never updates it and mostly speaks about stuff I don't care about. This blog speaks to me...an the Mullin's are coming to Vangroovy in Feb. and we now have places to eat (outside of your place).