The Sophisticated Experience (By: Kindah Mardam Bey)

To feel like a complete lady or gentleman at the heart of Toronto, take the time to aimlessly converse over hot pots of tea served in fine china, coupled with dainty sandwiches, cakes and scones smothered in double Devonshire cream and jam at Le Meridien King Edward Hotel.

An indoor patio located in the front foyer of the hotel, you will have lots to observe as the hustle and bustle of a busy and elegant hotel is in constant rotation. Meanwhile, within that patio section, time seems to stand still or perhaps slip back into the Edwardian era. Miniature orchids adorn each table which echo the enormous orchids display that acts as the centrepiece of the foyer. Amidst crisp white table cloths and the Wedgewood Jasper Conran collection “Chinoiserie Green” of fine bone china, you can enjoy a simply devine pot of tea.

You will be sat directly beneath a huge and commanding painting of King Edward VII in his full royal apparel. The painting makes you feel as though you are an honoured guest at the Kings request, having afternoon tea in his elegant palace.

A few choices are available for the afternoon tea, but I would highly recommend the Champagne tea as the clean and light-bodied Dom Pergignon is the ideal pairing to have with your sandwiches and scones. This is worth the extra cost from a regular afternoon tea as a way to simply spoil yourself.

The selection of four different kinds of sandwiches are on homemade white bread with the crusts cut off. I especially loved the unique combination of the smoked salmon and prawn sandwich. A selection of cakes can be enjoyed after that with refreshing flavours like lemon and passionfruit make the selection both flavourful and refreshing. Truly my least favourite part of an afternoon tea is the cakes selection, but I discovered that every confection was as delightful as the last and the next to come was just as enticing.

What is afternoon tea without scones? Well, sandwiches and cakes....but it is the British scones that have made that middle ground meal between lunch and dinner so extra special. The King Edward scones are warm and plentiful (2 medium scones per person). Decadent amounts of Devonshire cream, and the Swiss made strawberry jam “Hero” elevate this tea from delightful to scrumptious.

I found the staff to be incredibly accommodating and attentive. The tea came hot and the scones came warm, exactly as they should. Thinking of the King Edward afternoon tea reminded me of a saying from my Mother who always says “anyone can cook, but not everyone can cook well.” The King Edward showcases how the afternoon tea can be elevated from a meal to an experience. Details like using castor sugar are worth mentioning as they show the attention to detail and commitment to quality, even down to the most basic ingredients. Food should make you happy – an afternoon spent at the King Edward enjoying one of the greatest events to come out of the British Empire definitely will.

Written by :

Kindah

 

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