Jam Tasting, Scones & a Cup of Tea - Kitten and The Bear

One of the great things about being in the city is that no matter the weather, you can still get around without driving by making use of the TTC system. On this damp, cold and drizzly day I made my way to this quaint little gem on Queen West. 

Kitten and The Bear (don't you just love the name!) may be a petite space offering seating for possibly 5-6 guests at a time, but it is HUGE in warmth and welcoming vibes. From the lovely floral arrangements to the shabby chic decor, you quickly forget the dismal weather outside.

Along with the signature jam, the gifting items include a potpourri of teas, soaps, tea ware, honey and a darling pin set. 

 To compliment the jam tasting a fine selection of  Sloane teas to choose from.

If coffee is your preference ...  V 60 is a unique style of coffee (to me - I had not heard of it before)

The freshly baked in house buttermilk scones are the perfect vessel for 
tasting all the wonderful jams. The scrumptious scones can be order to go. 

Kitten and The Bear is one of only a handful of preserve companies in the world that still makes confiture (the French term for “jam”) using hand-hammered copper “confiture pans” imported from France. The artisan jams, jellies and marmalades are made completely by hand in small, limited batches at the shop in Parkdale.

 A jam tasting is a wonderful experience to do on your own, an outing with friends or a date with your sweetheart.

I choose the Jasmine Pink Lemonade tea ...and my friend Shirley choose the Oolong Cream tea... 

All the jams in our tasting were beyond delicious ... 

and my favourite was the Banana Bourbon and Vanilla bean - 

I may have not been able to resist buying a jar for home.

The Kitten & The Bear is located at 1574 Queen Street West, easily accessible by the 501 Queen Street trolley which stops steps from the shop. The shop is small and reservations are not taken, though you can be placed on a wait list - and when one of the two sitting areas becomes available.you will receive a message your table is available. There are many little shops along this stretch of Queen West to explore as you wait for your table. A side note: there is no washroom on sight ( I was told this is common with the little shops - but the Deli literally a few steps away is accommodating to the Kitten & The Bear guests.) 

Whether you sit in to enjoy the tea and jam service or get your scones and jam to go, this is definitely a gem in the city that you should give a try. To learn more about the Kitten & The Bear visit the website HERE.

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Christmas Tea at the Park Hyatt Toronto ...

I have enjoyed some wonderful experiences (the spa) at The Park Hyatt Toronto and shared some of these experiences in past posts:  Girls Just Gotta Relax ; the amazing view from the roof lounge - I shared here Summer in the City and the amazing winterlicious dinner I had in the Annona restaurant shared here Two Weeks of Highlights in pictures. Most recently I learned they also offer afternoon tea on weekends - and until December 23, 2016 - they are serving a Festive Tea. So, as a birthday treat to myself I quickly made a reservation. 

Of course no birthday celebration is complete without a glass of bubbly ...

Champagne tea - please ...

and what a delight that it was my fav - Veuve Clicquot !! 

  

For my teacup loving readers ... 

I remembered to capture the manufacturer of this darling and joyous teacup. The colours were perfect! The butterfly and humming birds drifted my thoughts from the gloomy, over cast slushy winter day outside - to memories of the warm summer in the garden.

Cheers ... 

The tea sandwiches were a symphony of flavours ... and each bite was perfection! Christmas Tree Cucumber, Ham & Havarti on Pumpernickel Turkey & Cranberry Walnut Cream Cheese on Egg Bread; The Crispy Cone of Boursin, Mushroom & Chive and Smoked Salmon, Dillweed & Cream Cheese Crepe Cube were my absolute favs!!

Also served was a Chicken Salad & Pomegranate Bouche with Five Spice Boy - not being fond of chicken salad - I requested it be substituted - which they happily accommodated. I did get to enjoy the bouche with five spice boy - and let me tell you it was flaky and tasty ... I can only imagine the harmony of the egg salad served upon it (unfortunately I'm not an egg salad person - but if you are I'm certain you will be impressed!) 

Since I was celebrating my birthday the - Celebration Medley - 

by Sloane tea seem most appropriate. A South-African Red Rooibos sings with the natural sweetness of Apple, Orange and Rose, creating the perfect concert of flavours with spice notes. Ladies let me tell you - it was everything and more as described. I know I'll be looking for it on my next tea restocking shopping trip. 

When the dessert tower arrived ... I was in heaven!! 

Long time readers of HHL already know I have a "bit" of a sweet tooth! and these delights did not disappoint: Currant, Orange & Cream Scones with Classic Clotted Cream & Fruit Preserves; Dark Chocolate Mint Petit Four; Snow Man Sugar Cookie; Cranberry Lemon Checkerboard Tea Cake; Orange Spice Madeleines; Chocolate Candied Ginger Tart; Celebration Tea Macaron. 

no words required! 

The checkboard tea cake was an explosion of delight in my mouth!  

Did I mention how juicy and sweet the strawberries were? 

in winter - this was a definite treat!!! 

The staff were most welcoming and friendly - and the service was spot on. 

Thank you for making my birthday celebration to myself extra special!

Ladies, I know afternoon tea with the girls is fun (it's one of my fav outings with my besties) - but I have to say it's a wonderful experience to be on your own with your thoughts. Lots of reflecting and planning happened during this afternoon tea, on my own. The Festive Tea is on until December 23 - so if you are in the Toronto area - I highly suggest making the time to experience it! - Solo or with the girls and even that special male friend.

Tea is served in the elegantly decorated Annona restaurant within the hotel. For full menu details click here.

The Park Hyatt Toronto is located just off Mink Mile on the outer edge of Yorkville at 4 Avenue Road Toronto, ON, M5R 2E8 tel:: 416- 925- 1234 or visit the website: Parkhyatttoronto.com

SIDE NOTE: While the Festive Tea is only being served until December 23 - I understand regular afternoon tea is served on weekends. I know I'll be enjoying a cup of tea here again!

 You are the curator of your life so live it luxuriously ,

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It's COLD Outside ...

Welcome to Over a Cup of Tea - #1 for 2014

The weather in Toronto has been extremely cold ... first we had an ice-storm that left almost 300,000 people without power (some for as long as 7 plus days). The past few days the temps have been -20s with wind chill feeling more like - 40!!!

While visiting the Christmas Market in Distillery District just before Christmas (you can read post here) Mr. G and I picked up some great loose leaf teas from a petite tea house.

 This Masala Chai Classic from Sloane Tea Company is perfect to help take the chill off our bones, during this bitter cold weather.

This mug from the Paris hotel in Vegas (a souvenir from my mother -when she was visiting with my brother and his wife a couple years back) was also the perfect size to hold lots of hot tea. 

The images of Paris ... helped me different back to memories of my visits to France and the city of lights.

Some delish and healthy treats with tea. We shared the lemon tart ... I'm making eating healthy a top priority ... BUT I'm not dieting --- opting for moderation.

What are your healthy tea time treat choices?

Hugs,

Stay in Step with High Heeled Life ...

Sharing this post with:  ~  Inspire Me Tuesday ~  A Return to Loveliness ~  Antiques and Teacups for Tuesday Cuppa Tea ~ Rose Chintz Cottage for Tea time Tuesday ~ Artful Affirmations and Martha's favorites for Teacup Tuesday ~