PLEASE NOTE, THIS POST MAY INCLUDE AFFILIATE LINKS, MEANING THAT IF YOU CLICK ON A LINK AND MAKE A PURCHASE, I’LL RECEIVE A SMALL COMMISION. THIS WILL COME AT NO COST TO YOU.
The colored sand, slips through the hourglasses, as the piano player delivers a passionate rendition of, Piano Man. During Afternoon Tea, at The Frontenac Hotel, in Quebec City, the most difficult task is choosing your leaves. The rest of the event unfolds with a display of artistic bites, flavorful sips, and the feeling that for a few hours, you can relax your cares away with a cup of tea.
I blame my childhood screen viewing, for kindling my fascination with afternoon tea. Alice in
Wonderland, Mary Poppins, and Anne of Green Gables, taught me that holding a delicate cup in hand is an important occasion.
Afternoon Tea at The Frontenac Hotel, takes place in the hotel’s, Place Dufferin, restaurant.
Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac (the official, proper name), is the most photographed hotel in the world. The famous photos are of the exterior, but this afternoon, I’m delighted to sit within its walls.
Sparking Tea
Vicky, our server, greets us, with two glasses of non-alcoholic, Copenhagen Sparking Tea. It’s a nice alternative to champagne. The blend of teas is crisp, bubbly, with subtle, light, fruity flavors.
I make a note to drink more sparking tea in the future.
The Tea
The most important part of afternoon tea, is the tea. We peruse our table’s, tea menu, attempting to narrow down our choices. Not only is there a tea menu, at Afternoon Tea at The Frontenac Hotel, there is a tea book. This is my first afternoon tea, tea book, encounter. I’m mesmerized. Vicky opens the book, displaying the loose blends. Suggestions are made, based on our individual tea tastes and preferences (strong vs. light vs. fruity etc…).
The book has me at, “signature.” I order the Chateau Frontenac Signature Blend, a Maple Blueberry Black Tea. Shannon chooses the Ontario Ice Wine Tea, as he is craving white tea, this afternoon.
While our pots are prepared, we are presented with our first treat. It tastes like a creamy rice
pudding, topped with fresh fruit.
Afternoon Tea at The Frontenac Hotel, is a one-price, set, menu. Aside from choosing a tea, you can sit back, relax, and let the food arrive.
When the teapots appear, Vicky gives us instructions.
We turn over the hourglass timer, wait for our particular blends to run our of sand, then pour the tea into our cups, using the strainer.
Scones
Fortunately, scones arrive at the same time as our teapots, giving us an activity to distract us from our first-pour wait. Buttery and fluffy, they remind me more of buttermilk biscuits than a dense cake.
The scones are accompanied by two jams and cream. I’m a cream first, then jam girl, not for any beliefs, or loyalty to tradition. I find that putting the cream on top of the jam, less difficult than the reverse.
It’s time to pour (and hopefully not spill) the tea. The Chateau Frontenac Signature Blend, is delicious.
The blueberry, tastes like fresh blueberries, ripened in the sun. It’s perfection. Not too sweet, not at all tart. Quebec’s maple syrup tastes more caramel, than mass processed, watery, sugary, syrup. The tea has just a touch of caramel flavor. It’s an excellent blend that requires no additional cream or sugar.
If you desire an extra touch of sweet in your tea, Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac, produces its own honey.
Beehives, located on the hotel’s rooftop is a way for the hotel to help pollinators, live good, long, lives, while providing a unique, sweetener, for guests.
If you don’t have a chance to sample the honey in one of the restaurants, during tea, breakfast/brunch, dinner, or in a cocktail at Bar 1608, you can purchase a jar in the hotel’s gift shop.
Also available for purchase, in the gift shop, Fairmont La Boutique, are the distinctive, cups, plates, and teapots.
Did I purposefully wear a shirt to match the teacups?
Yes.
The Gourmet Tower
My heart fills with anticipation as I observe our afternoon tea tower, moving towards our table.
It’s so spectacular, for a moment, I’m reluctant to touch the tiny works of culinary art.
Savory
Tea sandwiches are one of my favorite foods. Afternoon Tea at The Frontenac Hotel is an elevated, tiny sandwich, experience. The salmon sandwich includes a dollop of caviar. It’s our favorite, savory bite, of the tea.
Other noshes include, a mini-duck sandwich, seafood and celery salad cup, and beet mousse.
Is it an afternoon tea if you didn’t eat a cumber sandwich? The herby, cream cheese, is layered between, fluffy, bread, topped with delicate, slices of cucumber.
All of the savories taste wonderful.
If a tea refresh is desired, staff visit your table, with additional hot water, to add to your personal pot.
Sweet
Observing other tea patrons, I know that there is a final plate of sweets served after the tower.
To ensure we have enough stomach space for dinner, we eat the hazelnut pastry, and ask for a box, to save the pear pastry and the raspberry pastry for later. Everything is yummy, but the hazelnut pastry, is our favorite.
The flavor of the hazelnut is deep and nutty, while the other two pastries, are on the sweeter side.
Mignardises
The final tea course, is the Fairmount Le Chateau Frontenac ,signature mignardises. Mignardises, are sweet bites that gives a chef the chance to leave one, final, beautiful, lasting impression of the meal.
Our pretty treats, included dark chocolate, and a fruit jelly. They are both delectable.
Final Thoughts
The timing of the courses is impeccable. I like that the plates follow a progression, instead of everything being dropped off at your table at once. We never feel rushed and are given the opportunity, to relax, enjoy the live piano music, and fully appreciate the effort put into making this a memorable affair.
I read complaints that this particular tea, contains “too much” food. I think it is just the right amount. You neither leave hungry, or overly full. If like us, you are concerned about ruining your future dinner appetite, you are able to get a to-go box, for anything you want to save for later.
The atmosphere is classy, without being pretentious. I was concerned I’d be underdressed, and the room would be full of ladies in expensive dresses, heels, and hats. Most individuals wore business casual attire (though you are welcome to wear your afternoon tea best).
Afternoon Tea is often a pricey outing. Afternoon Tea at The Frontenac Hotel, in Quebec City, is no exception. For the amount of food you receive, the quality of ingredients, and the level of service, it’s worth the cost (and it’s less expensive, compared to afternoon teas in other cities).
For a moment of tranquility and sophistication, during your stay in Quebec City, be sure to book Afternoon Tea at The Frontenac Hotel.
Find a Great Place To Stay in Quebec City
