Afternoon Tea at VanDusen Botanical Garden

Afternoon Tea at Truffles Cafe, VanDusen Botanical Garden. Photo: Dana Lynch

Afternoon teas—tea served with a light repast of scones, pastries, sweets and sandwiches—have been enjoying a renaissance in Vancouver. Modeled on traditional European teas yet incorporating our own unique Vancouver flare and flavour, there are many fantastic local afternoon teas to choose from, from the old-world style at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver’s Tea at the Castle to Afternoon Tea at Provence Marinaside in Yaletown to a new afternoon tea at one of Vancouver’s most beautiful locations: the VanDusen Botanical Garden.

Truffles Cafe, located inside VanDusen Botanical Garden’s new visitor centre and overlooking the Garden’s famous Livingstone Lake, debuted their new Afternoon Tea on April 2. Value priced at just $28 for two people or $50 for four, Truffles Afternoon Tea includes a three-tiered tray loaded with sweet and savory goodies as well as a choice of tea selections, including VanDusen’s own private-label black tea, which was blended for the Garden by the Secret Garden Tea Company in honour of the visit of HRH Duchess of Cornwall in 2010.

VanDusen’s private-label black tea, available at Truffles Cafe. Photo: Dana Lynch

On creating the Truffles Afternoon Tea, Truffles owner Nin Rai says, “It seemed a natural thing to do here. I can’t imagine a more beautiful setting in which to unwind over a cup of tea. The stress just melts away….”

Truffles Cafe’s Afternoon Tea at VanDusen Botanical Garden. Photo: Dana Lynch

So true! I tried the Truffles Afternoon Tea for myself last Thursday and I can’t wait to go back with friends and family and share the delight. Not only did I truly love the VanDusen  private-label tea (try it!), I also adored the scrumptious food: gourmet panini and sandwiches, both savory and sweet scones (accompanied by house-made strawberry jam and honey farmed from VanDusen’s own bees), coconut macaroons, shortbread cookies, French macarons and petit-fours.

Gourmet panini and sandwiches, part of Truffles Afternoon Tea. Photo: Dana Lynch

Savory and sweet scones at Truffles Afternoon Tea. Photo: Dana Lynch

Having enjoyed afternoon teas at other popular Vancouver tea spots, I can attest to the great value at Truffles: $50 for four people (and there is plenty of food for four) is pretty amazing! Plus what could be better than following your tea with a stroll through VanDusen Botanical Garden, one of the greatest public gardens in North America (and one of the hands-down loveliest places in the city)?

Enjoy Afternoon Tea at Truffles at the VanDusen Botanical Garden daily from 11am – 5pm.

Article source: http://www.insidevancouver.ca/2012/04/07/afternoon-tea-at-vandusen-botanical-garden/