It was my 30th birthday. I wasn't in the mood to do anything wild or crazy, so I did something on the opposite end of the spectrum.I never had the opportunity to experience high tea, but had looked in the windows of the Prince of Wales Hotel Tearoom on several visits to NOTL (Niagara-on-the-Lake). My interest was piqued. I wanted to sit in the charming room, nibble on tasty little treats, and spend a leisurely afternoon.
Three of us went. We sat at a linen covered, cherry wood table in a loveseat and two arm chairs. The room is divided into three areas. There are two glassed-in porches and the main room. Due to the extreme cold, they were not seating on the porches. The room is decorated exactly as you would expect an English tea room to be. China plates, cups, saucers, and pitchers in display cases on the walls and in hutches. Large sterling silver bowls filled with roses, delftware filled with rose petals. The area smelled pleasantly of roses.
The owner of the hotel is from Japan and pictures of her family dot the end tables, sideboards, and cabinets.
We each ordered the "Canadian High Tea" which includes several Canadian cheeses in addition to the standard salmon, cucumber, egg salad, etc., tea sandwiches, scones, and desserts. We each ordered different teas, out of a tasseled, brocade-covered menu, which were served in very English tea pots. When our tiered plates were delivered it was recommended that we eat the scones as they were hot. They were served with pots of locally made jams, jellies, and clotted cream. The cheeses were wonderful, the sandwiches good (I'm not an egg salad fan), and desserts unique and very good. We had a small tiramisu square, a raspberry tartlet, a truffle, and a tiny maple filled éclair. Yum!We sat, relaxed, and enjoyed for at least two hours. Our waitress was delightful and willing to chat but also realized when we wanted to be left on our own. After finding out it was my birthday, I was presented with three roses.A WONDERUL day!