Chasing Tea in Victoria

I guess I'm a little late in telling of the trip to Victoria... Summer got to be really busy here. But at the end of July four of us ladies took a trip to Victoria BC... the ultimate place to find a great cup of tea without having to fly... ok, so we flew down the highway, what can I say... It was a fairly long drive, over 4 hours to get to Port Angeles... but on Friday afternoon we had high tea at the Empress Hotel... what an experience!! but also what a cost!!! $57 each... and of course a tip!!! But the experience was so worth it. the food was great, the service was great and our waiter, Mark, had the deepest most wonderful voice.... well we all swooned!!!

It was a marvelous trip... (though I have to add that the service wasn't very good at James Bay Tearoom and Resturant - we had a waitress with a bitter & nasty attitude)... And of course the time we come up they had a very unusual heat wave - in the 90's... and here we were bragging that we were leaving the heat to have a "cool" weekend... all in all, it was a wonderful time!

Pomegranate Green Tea

Life has been pretty busy, so I haven't been to any tea houses lately. But... The other day I was at the local nursery (yep, when I'm not chasing tea, I'm in the garden). During that time they were having an "iced tea" tasting in the gift house. So hearing the words "tea" and "tasting" at the same time, who could resist? It's here that I found an absolutely wonderful tea!! The Republic of Tea's "Pomegranate Green Tea"... With just a touch of sweetener, it was marvelous!!! The color was surprising, for a tea anyway. It was deep red! But the flavor... I think I'll serve it at my next garden party, in a punch bowl with slices of orange... it will not only look beautiful, it will wow the guests... Be prepared though, the tea is expensive, a "special" occaision tea... I broke out the plastic, it was $10!!!!

Until next time, may God bless you on your daily journey...

Black Currant Tea

And the trek has begun... Mom and I went to visit "The British Pantry, Ltd" today. One of the many spots identified in the book "Tea Rooms Northwest" This establishment was our second choice, as the first choice was now out of business... The British Pantry is a resturant (in a strip mall) with an afternoon tea option on the menu. Not what I would consider is a true tea house (but then what is a true tea house?). The food was served on one plate: a cucumber sandwich, scone with jam & whip cream (don't really think it was devon creme - more like ready whip), some fruit and a shortbread cookie tart... though not very many cukes and lots of cream cheese on the sandwich, the food overall was ok... the black currant tea was wonderful... probably the best part of the meal... My expectations of a tea is for the special atmosphere & experience, which didn't happen here. (though having mom with me was special in itself) And so my search continues for the perfect afternoon high tea... until the next time... God bless...

the beginning

Today I start a journey. To seek out the perfect cup of tea and it's presentation. I know, sounds kinda weird... But I am starting a trek to see how different tea rooms serve their high tea... To use this knowledge and experiences to perfect my tea presentation... What is my goal? I don't know at this time. It could be just a better my annual "Friends Tea" & annual "Garden Party" or to go a step further and start my own tea catering business. Whatever the end results, the journey is going to be fun and full of adventure...