Once upon a time there was a princess who desperately wished to attend a tea party. A tea with cute teacups, nice linens, delicious scones and sweet pastries, little cream cheese and/or smoked salmon tea sandwiches, and of course, a piping hot teapot of flavoured tea. And as luck would have it, the Toronto Chocolate Festival held in October through November delivered the perfect opportunity to the princess: a chocolate afternoon tea at the Windsor Arms Hotel! An afternoon tea devoted to the richness and decadence of chocolate with chocolate dessert tea and chocolate petit fours. The princess certainly couldn’t say no!
Located near the posh shopping neighbourhood of Bay & Bloor, the Windsor Arms Hotel was the epitome of sophisticated and lush. Overcome with giddiness and with her Prince Charming in tow, the princess high-tailed herself over to the quaint hotel on the 2nd of November, and braced herself for what was to be a very sweet and delicious affair. Tucked away on Saint Thomas St., just steps away from Yorkville, the Windsor Arms is what the princess would describe as fancy-pants: grand chandeliers, a ballroom, fine dining, afternoon tea seatings throughout the afternoon, and several tea rooms to boot. As she “oohed” and “ahhed” her way through the front foyer and adjoining bar and lounge, the princess and her Prince Charming were whisked away to the bright purple room, fit for royalty, for their afternoon tea.
The princess was in awe. Only two words could capture the essence of the purple and white tea room before her: hush and lush. Crisp white tablecloths and linens adorned the dainty tables, lush purple love seats and sofas sat regally in each corner of the room, sunlight streamed through soft and billowy lilac curtains, and a warm fireplace greeted its afternoon tea guests. Tea tables were set with the whitest of napkins, engraved silverware, tea strainers, and dishes of jarred jams and jellies and fresh cream for scones. The princess was overcome with excitement as she eagerly awaited the indulgences to come.
Her tea was brought forth, a steaming teapot of Tibetan Tiger: a sweet chocolate dessert tea with hints of vanilla, chocolate, caramel, and butterscotch that smelled as divine as it tasted. The princess’s white and floral patterned teapot sat alongside fresh cream and dainty jars of raspberry and strawberry jams for the delightful scones that were to come. The princess poured her tea through the strainer into her teacup and took a sip: if tea was heaven, the princess was floating in it. Rich and sweet, and at the same time refreshing, the chocolatey, buttery flavour paired perfectly with the freshly baked, fluffy scones. The nibbles, scrumptious in every way, were arranged on a tea stand, rolled out on a cart, and daintily placed on the princess’s table. The princess felt as though her heart would burst from happiness. Never in her life had she experienced an afternoon tea and she was ecstatic. So very, very ecstatic!
What lay before the princess and her prince were four large and round, sweet and fluffy, cinnamon and raisin scones dusted with powdered fairy sugar; one dozen plump tea sandwiches made with grilled cheese and citrus peel topping, baby greens, asparagus, and creamy chive cream cheese, and smoked salmon with baubles of salmon caviar and roasted tomato cream cheese; and four chocolate petit fours that looked so extremely rich and decadent. Each one of the chocolate petit fours highlighted either a different type of chocolate or a popular chocolate combination. There was a creamy white chocolate petit four topped with a dark juicy cherry, a chocolate truffle A warm, flaky goat cheese and caramelized shallot tart; ; salmon caviar and roasted tomato cream cheese. The food was fresh, delectable, and oh-so-delightful. And the grand finale? Rich chocolate petit fours adorned with a raspberry, a maraschino cherry, or crushed hazelnuts, and a bowl of fresh strawberries and whipped cream.
In the magical land of foodies, the experience was enchanting. After being stuffed to the brim with such splendid delicacies, the princess and her Prince Charming thanked the staff for a wonderful afternoon tea, rolled down the street on their full tummies, and lived happily ever after.
*****
The Windsor Arms Hotel is located at 18 Saint Thomas Street, just south of Bloor St. W, between Bay St. and Avenue Rd. From Monday to Wednesday tea is served in 4 sittings: 12:30, 1:00, 3:00, 3:30, and from Thursday to Sunday 5:30 and 6:00 as well. Teas are available at a range of prices, from $18/person to $45/person, with different menus for each price point. Visit the Windsor Arms Hotel website for prices and menus.
Ate by Ate 
This place looks so lush! I could see why one would feel like a princess 😉 I don’t drink tea very often, but an afternoon tea service always seemed like such a fun and special thing to do. Looks like you had a wonderful time.
It was really fun, and in a way, so out of my comfort zone. I mean, I’m used to eating (haha), but I’ve never had scones in my life nor had I used a tea strainer before. When I drink loose leaf tea, I just use those cute mesh ball things, ha. And I’m terrible at holding and pouring a teapot, I wobble like crazy! But it was one of the funnest foodie experiences ever, and I’m really glad I made the splurge 😀
I want to go for afternoon tea! Looks like fun
You and I would totally pose with our teacups and cute “pinkies up” poses, hee. It’s really fun and really relaxing, ahhh.
Pingback: Once Upon a Tea – A Romantic Tea of Scones & Nibbles For Valentine’s at the Windsor Arms Hotel, Part II « Ate by Ate
Pingback: Wine, Beer, Oktoberfest in Toronto, & Lots of Chocolate! Food & Drink Highlights for the Month of October! « Ate by Ate