The Princess and the Tea Party
July 2nd, 2007
“Please mommy, pleassssssse, can we have a tea party?” she asks, actually-implores. “Can we please use the fancy cups and put on our fancy dress?” Her big brown eyes beseech me. “Ohhhh, all right,” I reply after all, how can I say no to a princess?
Jillian, a tall, graceful five-year-old, has a collection of crowns and tiaras that would rival anything in Buckingham Palace. Her wardrobe is full of satin, taffeta and lace. A princess in her own right, Jillian loves to get dressed up and attend tea parties. Today is going to be the mother-of-all tea parties. We are going to the Empress Hotel in Victoria, B.C. for high tea. Now, normally, I would not pay $50 for a cup of tea, but I am not doing this for me. I am doing it for the princess, and her six-year-old cousin, Lady Emily.
Instead of relaxing at the cabin this Canada Day weekend, we are hosting a family reunion in the province’s capital, a city steeped in British tradition. And this isn’t just a cup of Earl Grey served in a white mug, this is a tea party that starts with fancy dress, or “Smart casual,” as the reservation agent explained on the phone. ‘Is it possible to be too overdressed for this?’ I wonder, thinking about Jillian’s wardrobe.
High Tea in Victoria is a popular tourist attraction. Aside from the Empress Hotel, the Grande Dame of them all, Butchart Gardens, James Bay Tea Room and the White Heather Tea Room are also hot spots for the tea-toteling crowd.
Although we made our reservations a week in advance, we had to settle for a later seating. The Empress brews over 300 pots a day, starting at 12 noon with the last seating at 5:15 p.m. This isn’t the orange pekoe your Grandma drinks. Lady Emily chose the Berry Berry, while her mother sipped the Kea Lani Orange Pinapple.
Although the price is steep, $55 for adults, children five and under are free. The scones slathered in clotted cream, and made daily by Yogi, are probably the best thing served by the Hotel, this according to Mark Wachtin; the Manager of Afternoon Tea, and I had to agree. Although the carrot, ginger and cream cheese sandwiches are a close second.
Sitting on the pink tapestry love-seat, surrounded by hunter green wing back chairs, I am reminded of my grandma’s living room, the one weren’t allowed in. It is a setting fit for a princess.
Not recommended for boys, my husband, son and nephew, are off to spend the afternoon with stick bugs and millipedes at the Victoria Bug Zoo, more on their adventures next week.
Cheerio,
Julie
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July 2nd, 2007 at 5:49 pm
You can never have enough scones and clotted cream - oooh to have a daughter……
I went to the bug zoo with the boys last trip to Victoria. Loads of fun for everyone, but I was certainly dreaming of those scones!
Kathi
July 10th, 2007 at 1:48 pm
What a great story - I’ve been for tea twice at the Empress and it is indeed lovely. Although last time I was there I was somewhat aghast to see men in blue jeans and baseball hats.
We are not amused…
Sharon