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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Step out of the cold and into Windsor Arms for a cup of hot tea - Toronto

Long time readers of High Heeled Life know that I love a good cup of afternoon tea and Windsor Arms is one of my favourite spots in the city to enjoy a leisure afternoon with my girl friends over a cup of tea anytime of the year! And with the temperatures in Toronto remaining steady below freezing, it was a welcomed invitation to escape to such as fabulous place. 

Image credit - Google and Windsor Arms

The Windsor Arms is located on a quiet little side street off  Mink Mile just south of Bloor street. This neo-gothic building with its brown brick, cast stone trim, and a royal looking crest sets the mood that you are going to be transported from the fast pace of city life/shopping to a magical place back in time, when people actually took time for themselves regularly to re-energize. As you step through the entrance, you find yourself  in the most welcoming lobby. Staff greet you with a smile and welcoming hello, your transformation from hectic to calmness begins instantly. 

WA offers three spectacular areas to take tea. The French-style lobby tea room brings back memories of some wonderful salons de thé I have experienced during my trips to Paris; the Purple tea room - with its dark egg-plant walls, luxurious velvet seating, art on the walls and the original working fireplace which dates back to 1927 - is where you will find me taking tea on most of my visits; and The Russian Red tea room with its vibrant red walls, gold trim, glamorous chandelier and decor, is the perfect choice for small private gatherings - think girl outings, bridal showers, birthdays, I'm thinking it would be perfect for a Resilientista inspiration gathering. 

I invite you to take a little pause in your day and come along on a virtual afternoon tea with my friend J. and I as we settle in the Purple Room to enjoy a hot cup of tea and some sweet and savory treats, on this cold Toronto day.

With an extensive selection of loose-leaf teas there is something to satisfy everyone.

My friend J.s tea selection: was a Ginger described as:
Imagine the white tea is Fred, paired with Ginger we present a smooth, effortless, elegant cup that is certain to be a classic. Gentle nuttiness with the perfect hint of tea. Ms. J. was delighted with her selection and savoured every sip. 

How gorgeous is this setting ... 

My tea selection: Chai Arms - a perfect blend of cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, ginger, pepper and organic black tea. It was exactly what I needed to warm up on this cold afternoon. While this tea is a wonderful complement for milk, I chose to have my as is. 

 Potato Blinis with Smoked Salmon, RosettePinwheel Egg Salad,Vegetarian with Sundried Tomato Paste and Dill Cream Cheese,Croque Monsieur

 Goat Cheese and Caramelized Shallot Tart , Fresh Scones

 Petits Fours

 This is simply DIVINE! - yes my favourite ...

 The warm tart is smooth, creamy and delicious just the right amount of
caramelized shallot and goat cheese.

Preserves and Devon Cream

The scones are light, soft and the perfect vessel for the Devon cream and WA homemade sweet preserves.

Tea at Windsor Arms has been synonymous with elegant, afternoon indulgence, since 1927. The majestic Purple room with its original fireplace takes my breath away each time I take tea in there.  

The crystal chandelier is beautiful and photos do not capture its full brilliance! 

Located inside the French-style lobby tea room you will find a hat rack with the most exquisite hats. For a $5 donation (proceeds benefiting Look Good Feel Better, in support of women affected with cancer) you are welcome to borrow a hat to enhance your magical tea experience. And let's be honest lovelies we all have an inner child in us, and what better way to let her play than with a little dress up and tea party.

 
I hope you have enjoyed your virtual tea and pause in your day, as much as Ms. J. and I did. This winter get out of the cold, and create memories with friends, family, and colleagues with tea at Windsor Arms.

Disclaimer: this afternoon tea was sponsored by Windsor Arms - all opinions are strictly my own and based on my personal experience.

You can read about some of my previous tea experiences at Windsor Arms: 

Here, Here, Here, and Here 

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

Stay in Step with High Heeled Life ...

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