Category: Food Things

Unforgettable Family Experience: Prince and Princess Afternoon Tea at Fairmont Empress, Victoria, BC

The Ashley RhapsodyLeave a comment

Calling all families local to and visiting Victoria, BC! Are you ready for an unforgettable experience fit for royalty? Look no further than Fairmont Empress, where they roll out the red carpet for your little princes and princesses with their enchanting Prince and Princess Afternoon Tea.

Our family visited Victoria, BC over the Mother’s Day weekend and I knew I wanted to do something memorable with my daughter. We were staying at the Fairmont Empress and my daughter already thought we moved into a castle, so I thought Afternoon Tea would definitely put the finishing touches on her royal experience. It definitely didn’t disappoint.

Fit for Young Royalty:

The Prince and Princess Afternoon Tea is tailored to suit the tastes of your tiny travellers, aged five to twelve (my little one is four and she was quite happy with the offerings. Our server Yosef was so kind and accommodating which helped with my nerves about having my four year old in such an elegant setting.

The Prince and Princess menu includes:

  • ORGANIC PEANUT BUTTER & JELLY brioche bread
  • SLOW ROASTED TURKEY ON ISLAND HARVEST BREAD tender smoked turkey breast
  • ENGLISH CUCUMBER ON BRIOCHE sweet local cucumber
  • BLACK FOREST HAM & CHEESE orange cheddar cheese, 7 grain bread
  • SIGNATURE EMPRESS SCONE
  • CHOCOLATE ÉCLAIR
  • VANILLA CAKE POPS
  • LEMON MERINGUE CUPCAKE
  • FRUIT GUMMIES

Savour Every Bite:

But let’s not forget about the grown up food – because it’s fit for a king or queen!

The Afternoon Tea menu includes:

  • SMOKED SALMONlocal sockeye, caper berries, citrus smoked crème fraîche, blini
  • GRANDFATHER HAM & CHEESE shaved ham, rosemary honey mustard, swiss, brioche
  • TRUFFLED MUSHROOM QUICHE free run egg, heavy cream, cultivated mushroom, thyme, mount moriarty gruyère (this was my favourite)
  • CORONATION CHICKEN SALAD SANDWICH house-roasted farmhouse chicken, curry infused sweet onions, brioche
  • ENGLISH CUCUMBER dill whipped cream cheese, apricot, fennel pollen & pink peppercorn, marble rye
  • FRESHLY BAKED EMPRESS RAISIN SCONES served warm with house-made clotted cream & strawberry-vanilla preserves
  • BANANA AND TONKA BEAN CRÈMEUX banana confit, rum whipped ganache
  • PISTACHIO OPERA almond jaconde, pistachio buttercream
  • PEAR MACARON caramel and pear ganache
  • CHOCOLATE RASPBERRY MADELEINE dark chocolate ganache
  • BERGAMOT AND ROSEWATER TART yuzu pearls

For tea, I selected the tea that was boasted as Princess Diana’s favourite tea, an elegant rose tea, and my daughter had the Orange Vanilla tea. I’ll admit I was bracing myself for my daughter to spit out the tea because she’s never had tea before, but Yosef was correct in his recommendation and she polished off the whole pot!

Book Your Royal Rendezvous:

For how thoughtfully curated the menu was for both kids and adults, and with the overall experience giving “bucket list,” I thought the prices were pretty reasonable. Thanks to a friend of mine who’s pretty enthusiastic about afternoon tea/high tea, I have frequented many tea experiences over the past couple years, and this one definitely takes the cake!

Prices for this experience are:

Afternoon Tea
$109 per person

Champagne Tea
Add a glass of Laurent Perrier Brut Cuvée $151 per person

Royal Champagne Tea
Add a glass of Laurent Perrier Brut Rosé $157 per person

Prince & Princess Tea
$60 per person

So, if you’re looking to add a touch of magic to your family vacation in Victoria (or even a special experience for locals), make sure to book your table for the Prince and Princess Afternoon Tea at Fairmont Empress. It’s an experience your little ones will treasure forever.

Top 10 Brunch Locations for Mother’s Day in Vancouver, Surrey & Langley

The Ashley RhapsodyLeave a comment

Looking for the best brunch spots to treat your mom this Mother’s Day? Look no further, because I’ve got you covered. I’ve scoured Vancouver, Surrey, and Langley to find the top 10 brunch locations that will make your mom feel extra special. Whether she’s a pancake lover or prefers a classic eggs benedict, these spots will have something for every taste. So grab your mom, your siblings, and maybe even a mimosa (or two) and let’s get brunching

1.OEB Breakfast Co. (Langley)

First up, we have the newest addition to Langley’s brunch scene: OEB Breakfast Co. If your mom is a foodie, she’ll love this spot. Their menu is full of unique dishes like the Lobster Benny, which comes with Atlantic lobster, hollandaise, and truffle oil, and the Gold Digga, which features potato waffles, duck fat-fried chicken, and foie gras hollandaise. Plus, the industrial chic decor will make for the perfect Instagram backdrop

2. Milltown Bar & Grill (Vancouver)

Next on the list is Milltown Bar & Grill, located in the scenic Marpole area of Vancouver. This spot boasts a beautiful waterfront patio, where you and your mom can enjoy stunning views of the Fraser River while sipping on mimosas. Their brunch menu features classic dishes with a twist, like the Chorizo and Cheddar Omelette, and the Blueberry and Lemon Ricotta Pancakes.

3. Jam Cafe (Vancouver)

If your mom is a fan of comfort food, she’ll feel right at home at Jam Cafe. This cozy spot serves up hearty dishes like the Gravy Coated Biscuits, which are topped with sausage gravy and two sunny side up eggs, and the Pulled Pork Pancakes, which come with smoked pulled pork, apple bourbon BBQ sauce, and coleslaw. Plus, their famous homemade jam will have you and your mom fighting over the last bite.

4. The Wooden Spoon (White Rock)

If you’re in the mood for a charming, small-town brunch experience, head to The Wooden Spoon in White Rock. This adorable spot has a rustic, homey feel, and their menu features classic brunch dishes made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Try the Farmers Hash, which comes with crispy bacon, house-made sausage, and roasted potatoes, or the Lemon Ricotta Pancakes, which are light and fluffy with a citrusy twist.

5. The Red Wagon Cafe (Vancouver)

Last but not least, we have The Red Wagon Cafe, a no-frills spot that’s all about delicious, hearty food. Their menu features diner-style dishes like the Pulled Pork Pancakes and the Chicken and Waffles, as well as classic breakfast options like eggs, bacon, and toast. Plus, the prices won’t break the bank, so you can treat your mom without breaking a sweat.

6. Forage (Vancouver)

This Vancouver-based restaurant is known for its commitment to using locally-sourced and sustainable ingredients in its dishes. The brunch menu features a variety of delicious options like buttermilk pancakes with berry compote and poached eggs with Dungeness crab. Maybe leave the little kids home for this one, unless they are cultured foodies like yourself.

7. Krause Berry Farms (Langley)

This Langley-based farm and market offers a brunch menu featuring a variety of delicious options, like waffles with fresh berries, breakfast sandwiches with bacon and eggs, and quiches with seasonal veggies. Kids will love the farm atmosphere and the chance to pick their own berries after brunch.

8. Yolks (Surrey & Vancouver)

With locations in Vancouver and Surrey, Yolks offers a brunch menu featuring classic breakfast dishes like eggs Benedict and French toast, as well as more unique options like a breakfast poutine with hollandaise sauce.

9. Trading Post (Langley & Surrey)

Trading Post Brewing is a great spot for brunch and beer. Their menu features classic brunch items like waffles and breakfast sandwiches, and their craft beer selection is sure to please any beer-loving mom.

10. The Vault (Surrey)

If you’re in Surrey, The Vault Restaurant is a great option for Mother’s Day brunch. Their menu features classic breakfast dishes like eggs benny and pancakes, as well as more unique options like duck confit hash.

Whether you’re looking for a trendy atmosphere, a farm-to-table experience, or a family-friendly environment, the Lower Mainland has no shortage of amazing brunch options.

From the new OEB in Langley to the classic Red Wagon Cafe in Vancouver, there are so many fantastic restaurants to choose from. And if you’re looking for a kid-friendly spot, places like The Wooden Spoon and Milltown Bar & Grill have got you covered.

No matter where you decide to celebrate Mother’s Day this year, the most important thing is spending quality time with the people you love. So whether you’re savoring a mimosa with your girlfriends or enjoying a stack of pancakes with your little ones, make sure to take a moment to appreciate all the joys of motherhood (at least if just for today <3) . Happy brunching!