Are you looking for a fun and delicious way to spend the remaining chilly afternoons indoors? Afternoon tea is your answer!
\n \nWhat exactly is afternoon tea? Afternoon tea, which is typically served late afternoon, is the traditional British custom of warding off late afternoon hunger with tea and a tiered tray (a “curate”) consisting of finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, and sweets.
\nAfternoon tea is often confused with “high tea,” which is traditionally a larger meal served later in the day.
\nAfternoon tea can also be a learning adventure if you wish to learn all of the proper etiquette of a true afternoon tea experience. Here are just a few of the many fun “rules” to follow during afternoon tea if you want to play along:
\nThe proper order of consumption of your curate is sandwiches first, then scones, and then your sweets.
\nPinkies down, please! Although we automatically want to raise our pinkies while holding our tea cup, it is actually not proper afternoon tea etiquette to do so.
\nNo utensils. This is one of the few times it is actually proper to eat without using any utensils. The only utensils that should be used during afternoon tea is your teaspoon for stirring your tea and, of course, your knife for spreading your clotted cream and jam.
\nThere are several establishments in and around Calgary that offer afternoon tea, which vary in both price and food/tea offerings, but the surprises found on your curate are always exciting no matter where you go. Here are a few great options for afternoon tea, which are best enjoyed with family or friends:
\nNove Nine Diner
\n3303 3 Avenue NW
\nWebsite: noveninediner.com
\nLocated in the NW community of Parkdale, Nove
\nNine is a quaint little cafe with the most affordable afternoon tea that I could find in YYC. The cost is $25 per person (with a minimum of two people), with children ten and under being $21.99 each. Afternoon tea can be reserved every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10am to 4pm, and Nove Nine offers a wonderful selection of Rosso teas to choose from. Their regular curate does not include scones, but they can be added for an additional charge. If you are looking for the right price to take the kiddos for their first afternoon tea experience, look no further.
\nThe Noble Tea House
\n440 Macleod Trail SW, High River, AB
\nWebsite: thenobleteahouse.com
\nWant to enjoy a beautiful weekend afternoon road trip and an authentic tea experience? The Noble Teahouse, located 30 minutes south of Calgary in High River, is just the place. This lovely Victorian home, built in 1909, was previously home to Narrow Road Home, a women’s recovery program which The Noble Teahouse continues to support in many ways; one of which is by employing their graduates and supporting them to thrive in the community. Afternoon tea is a wonderful and delicious way to support this initiative. Afternoon tea at The Noble Teahouse is served Thursdays through Sundays at a price of $60 per adult and $37 per child. Children’s tea is a smaller portion with a more “kid-friendly” menu, but still inclusive of three sandwiches, a scone with clotted cream and jam, and three desserts. Their excellent tea menu changes approximately every two-and-a-half months. May I recommend the Whimsical Dream? This herbal loose leaf tea tastes just like sugar cookies!
\nDeane House
\n806 9 Avenue SE
\nWebsite: deanehouse.com
\nIs there a more beautiful place for afternoon tea in Calgary than the Deane House? The Deane House is sophisticated and elegant, and sipping tea in their Garden Room or Verandah overlooking the gardens and grounds is a calming way to spend a winter or spring afternoon. Not to mention, their menu is mouth-watering! They always have fun and unique offerings, such as Tomato Fennel Soup served in a teacup and topped with a Sylvan Star Gouda Grilled Cheese, or puff pastry filled with turkey pot pie. The Deane House’s gardens also grow greens, berries, herbs, and flowers that you will find on your curate, including housemade jams, jellies, and pickles. Their tea menu changes seasonally, but is consistently outstanding. Afternoon tea at the Deane House is $65 per adult and $35 for children 12 and under for a special child-friendly selection. Afternoon tea is served every Friday through Sunday from 1pm to 4pm, and reservations are required 24 hours in advance of your preferred date.
\nSo don your best fascinator (your fun afternoon tea hat!), get out, and enjoy a tea party!
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Jennifer is a local foodie with a passion for food writing. Find more of her food writing on her Facebook page: For The Love of Food YYC.
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