Tea Time at the Chateau

Time for tea! We made our way up the rock of Quebec City to the Chateau Frontenac for some tea and lunch at Place Dufferin. Upon arrival, we were greeted with some seasonal kombucha and shown to our table.

As we browsed the menu, a pianist and a singer, Mademoiselle Fizz, performed old standards for us in several languages. Among the many varieties of tea, we could choose black, green, oolong, white, or herbal loose leaf blends. I ordered the Flora’s Berry Garden, a fragrant herbal tea with dried berries to flavor it. MM got the old standby, Earl Grey.

The dry tea smelled heavenly — like chocolate! When the hot water was added and we waited for it to steep, the true tea fragrances steamed from the pour spout. Vanilla and berry and bergamot and more! Our waiter served a fruit salad, consisting of strawberries and a lemon-mint jelly. It was very refreshing!

Next, they brought scones — one regular scone; and one lemon-mint — to enjoy with the bowls of raspberry jelly, orange marmalade, and clotted cream. When that course was done, the waiter delivered a tower of small finger sandwiches, including a blue cheese lollipop, a cucumber sandwich, a duck and apple slider, and a shrimp wrap for each of us.

Just when we thought we had no more room for goodies, the water brought us each three pastries, made by their very own pastry chef — a raspberry and cream tart; a chocolate sea-salt caramel brownie; and a pistachio sponge cake with raspberry filling. Scrumptious! My personal favorite was the gooey, delicious brownie.

The final piece de resistance was something we couldn’t resist — CHOCOLATE PRALINES!

Whenever you’re in Quebec, take time or tea.