Tea at the Castle in Vancouver, BC

We arrived in Vancouver on a rainy day and caught the train to the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver. Our room wasn't quite ready and we were hungry so we headed to the 900 West Lounge to settle in to the soft wingback chairs.

 

It happened to be afternoon tea time - what a wonderful way to begin our vacation in BC! We sat just outside the high tea seating so Jeff could order off of the lounge menu.

I love the Fairmont china pattern produced by Royal Doulton.

(This china has a story that I will share with my Victoria post.)

I love when I don't have to request honey.

Lunch is served! Jeff enjoyed a huge prime rib burger with onion rings and french fries while I had traditional afternoon tea at The Castle.

 

I loved the exclusively blended Fairmont Versailles earl gray.

I sipped. I savored.

 

 Tea began with savory sandwiches including English cucumber and whipped Borusin on white, roasted vegetable and egg salad.

 

 Then fresh baked raisin and butter scones were served with Devonshire

clotted cream and homemade preserves.

 

The final course of sweet delights included a raspberry tartlet with gold leaf, lemon meringue tart, opera torte, pistachio macaroons and a special petite cupcake in

honor of breast cancer awareness month.

I'm always impressed by gold leaf and edible gold glitter.

 

I'm so glad we decided to stay at this historic hotel that dates back to the 1930s as the other Fairmont property - the Pacific Rim - had an incident with a gunman

and guests could not leave the hotel much of the day.