Silver tea service, tiered cake stands and sugar tongs — the mid-afternoon ritual once reserved for stuffy society ladies and crusty aristocrats is being rediscovered as a leisurely stylish indulgence that doesn’t punish like a night of cocktails. And who says high tea can’t inspire feminist politicking? Esther Morris, Wyoming’s “Mother of Woman Suffrage,” reportedly persuaded Democrat William H. Bright to introduce a bill for women’s right to vote at a tea party in 1869.
Chocolate dress by Identitez, $295, and choker-style necklace by Barbara Dodge (pictured top right), $100, at Boutique Le Trou (940 Queen W., 416-516-7122).
Take home some sweet moelleux (that’s teacakes in English) in rum raisin, apricot and amandine. One dozen for $14.50 at Patachou Patisserie (1120 Yonge, 416-927-1105).
Peach rose fine bone china teacup and saucer by Royal Stuart (pictured below), $46 at Say Tea (2362 Bloor W., 416-766-5425).
Gold monogrammed stationery set of 10 sheets with matching envelopes (pictured at right), $3.85. Courage My Love (14 Kensington, 416-979-1992).
Tea time in Toronto
There’s an eclectic range of downtown tea services, whether it be within hotel drawing rooms or nouveau tea salons. We whittled it down to our favourite three. (All prices are per person.)
The Red Tea Box
696 Queen W., 416-203-8882
HIGH TEA HOURS: Mon-Sat, 2-5pm; Sun noon-3:30pm.
NEIGHBOURHOOD: Queen West.
THE SERVICE: An off-kilter shabby-chic salon offering untraditional bento boxes like Southeast Asian and Darjeeling Tea Feature ($25) along with the more traditional Mad Hatter’s Tea Party (also $25), stuffed with scones, teacakes and sandwiches.
Windsor Arms Hotel
18 St. Thomas, 416-971-9666
HIGH TEA HOURS: Daily, 1:30-3:30pm.
NEIGHBOURHOOD: Yorkville.
SERVICE: The posh tearoom is pure refinement, with a full tea ($30) that includes dishes like salmon caviar sandwiches (!) and fresh scones and berries, all with petits fours finish.
The Fairmont Royal York
100 Front W., 416-860-6949
HIGH TEA HOURS: Daily, 2:30-4pm.
NEIGHBOURHOOD: Downtown.
SERVICE: The Royal Tea Stand ($25) is fit for kings and queens with sinful Grand Marnier crumpets, finger sandwiches and scones, plus cups of Canadiana maple tea.