Steeped in tradition, afternoon tea is a special way to treat your mum on (or around) May 13. According to Adonia Tea House in Kerrisdale, taking tea first began in the mid-1800s when the Duchess of Bedford invited friends to join her for an afternoon meal at Woburn Abbey in the English countryside. Featuring small cakes, bread and butter sandwiches and assorted sweets, the event was so popular the Duchess continued it when she returned to London. Other social hostesses soon adopted the practice, with afternoon tea ultimately spreading throughout the various colonies of the British Empire.
Here is a selection of Mothers Day tea services in the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»area. Prices are per person unless otherwise noted and exclude tax and tip. Menus can be found online. It is recommended to reserve well in advance.
Fairmont Hotels old-world Afternoon Tea at the Castle $38 for adults. Bubblegum Tea $19 for children (12 and under). To reserve call 604-662-1900; 900 W. Georgia. Daily.
If youre up for a drive, you can have Mothers Day tea at Rowenas Inn on the River, an English-style manor on a secluded 160-acre waterfront estate $19.95. More info at RowenasInnOnTheRiver.ca; 14282 Morris Valley Rd, Harrison Mills. Daily.
If your mom likes jazz, the Cellar Jazz Club has a tea for her, Sunday May 13 $35. Featuring Lorraine Foster and band, the show is noon to 2 pm, with doors at 11:15am. Call 604.738.1959 for details; 3611 W. Broadway.
The Urban Tea Merchants signature store is ideal for high tea with mom $48. They boast a selection of over 200 teas and tea gifts, tea equipage, exotic home décor and lifestyle accessories can add to moms tea ritual experience at home. Special serviceswill be Friday, May 11 to Sunday, May 13. Go to UrbanTea.com or call 604-692-0071; 1070 W. Georgia. Each mom will go home with a gift.
Truffles Fine Foods Café at VanDusen Botanical Garden $28 for two. The program features VanDusens own private-label black tea. Call 604-505-4961; 5251 Oak St. Daily.
Slip away to Fleuri Restaurant at the Sutton Place Hotel $28.Phone 604-642-2900 or see Vancouver.SuttonPlace.com; 845 Burrard St. Daily.
Adonia Tea House offers an English Inn-style experience special service $30 (May 5 and 6), regular $27. Call 604-261-0049 to reserve. AdoniaTea.com; 2057 West 41st Ave.
Nestled amid the old-growth forest of Stanley park, The Fish House restaurant is a spectacular setting for afternoon tea $24. Call 604-681-7275 or visit FishHouseStanleyPark.com; 8901 Stanley Park Dr. Daily.
Xi Shi Lounge and the spa at Shangri-La Hotel are offering a royal treat on May 13: Eighty-minute West Coast wave massage, afternoon tea for one, complimentary valet parking for one vehicle and a $25 welcome back visit for your next visit to Chi, The Spa $200. Call 604-689-1120 or visit Shangri-La.com/vancouver; 1128 W. Georgia St.
Afternoon Tea at Hycroft with the University Womens Club general $30, members $25, children (aged 5-12) $15. Tea will be served May 13 from 1:30-3:30pm at 1489 McRae Ave.; UWCVancouver.ca.
Experience tea amidst the purple plush of the Bacchus Restaurant lobby at the Wedgewood Hotel $31. Call 604-689-777. Wedgewoodhotel.com; 845 Hornby St. Daily.
The Secret Garden Tea Company (5559 W. Boulevard) advises that they are completely booked for Mothers Day, but if you remember roughly six weeks in advance next year, you can book by calling 604-261-3070. They offer daily high tea if your heart isnt set on May 13 $26.95 for adults, $17.95 for children; SecretGardenTea.com.
The Museum of Vancouver mixes learning, fashion, and tea for , a special fundraiser for the museum. Whether guests come as friends or as a mother/child pair, they are sure to enjoy the afternoon of Saturday, May 12, celebrating their relationship during this sit-down tea service. Guest speaker Brendan Waye, an accredited tea specialist and tea sommelier program instructor from Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Community College will provide insight on the traditions and rituals of high tea culture. Guests will enjoy a variety of teas and an assortment of petite sandwiches and cakes. A guided tour of the Art Deco Chic clothing exhibition (see page 15) will provide a base for conversations, and tea demonstrations will give guests an opportunity to learn about teas from around the world. Doors are at 2pm and the tour concludes at 5pm. Prices are $40 each or $60 for two. Tickets available at HighTeaMOV.eventbrite.com. All money raised will go towards the museums programs for conserving Vancouvers history and material items.
