Not Your Typical Afternoon Tea

Review of The Urban Tea Merchant,
1070 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC

After perusing through the Urban Tea Merchant's website, their philosophy, "Every Sip of Tea is a Journey" sparked my interest in exploring the store at West Georgia Street, the largest of the two locations in the Lower Mainland. It was definitely not your typical traditional English tea shop and restaurant. As you entered the store, you felt like you journeyed to a contemporary European-South Asian tea emporium. The interior was decorated with hanging photographs of the world, Thai Buddha statues and bookshelves of colored canisters. The canisters contain a wide selection of high quality line of teas from The O dor. The rest of the shop were adorned with gifts including the world's collection of tea-wares and accessories, French bonbons (champagne/caramel truffles), aromatic preserves, fragrant incenses and much more. At the back, there was a cafe bar serving tea and coffee and a variety of treats. The tea salon was sectioned off for a more private and intimate afternoon tea or a la carte lunch. They had 3 different menus to choose from for afternoon tea pricing at $25-$29-$45. I selected the $29 West Coast menu which included aperitif, canapes, sweets and fruits garnished with edible flowers.



The tea salon was small and intimate keeping the traditional style of white table linens and adding a bit of Asian flair to the decor were statues, fountains and tea-wares. The focal point was the Zen fountain. You would see and hear the sound of the water trickling down from teapot to teapot creating a sense of tranquility and peace. It was very appealing to one's eyes and soothing to one's ears. Each table had a centre piece consisting of a cast iron kettle, Japanese tea cup, vase of fresh flowers and colour canisters. The napkin was creatively folded long and narrow, resembling the Chada, a traditional headdress in Thai culture.




Do not expect to come with a big appetite. The West Coast menu had limited items and portions were small. I was a bit disappointed considering the price was $29. The food was not served on a tier tray but rather displayed on a long glass plate. The plate added a clean and simple modern twist to the traditional. You could see all the items laid out in front of you without having to stretch your neck far out and look up to what items were on the top tier. If the food was served on a tier tray, they could have added a few more items like scones, pastries and sweets for a more satisfying and fulfilling meal. The presentation was well crafted with bright coloured macaroons, toppings for canapes and edible flowers. Taste wise? The canapes' bread was a bit dry and bland. There was nothing special about them. The aperitif, a tea-infused elixir served in a champagne flute glass, was also a disappointment. It tasted like lukewarm bland tea and the strawberries were not sweet at all. Where was the whipped cream? In contrast, the tea that I chose (the cherry blossom green tea) and recommended by the hostess, tasted fresh and smooth with a sweet aroma simulating cherry blossoms which complemented the meal well.



Service in the shop and salon was top notch, professional, patient and courteous. The hostess/store clerk offered her assistance if needed in choosing my tea out of the 200+ selections and made a few recommendations to pair with my meal. She was very knowledgeable and passionate about the teas which I am quite amazed. On several occasions, the server and even the owner himself offered to take pictures for me with my guest. I did not have to ask. We paced ourselves with the food and tea and did not realize that 2 hours had past. Despite the fact we exceeded the seating time, they did not rush us to leave but instead asked us if we wanted a refill. How wonderful was that?

Overall, the afternoon tea experience at the Urban Tea Merchant was above satisfactory. Cost is quite pricey for the food quality and portion size that you are paying for. I could find better tearooms that cost me less while leaving my tummy fully satisfied. However, I must give them points for the service, ambiance and tea selections. It all depends on your preference. Are you willing to pay more for the service, ambiance and tea selections and give up on the food quality and portion size? Despite the pricey meal, I left the store smiling with a tin of cherry blossom green tea, a discounted bag of lemon meringue black tea and a matcha latte to go. I can now enjoy sipping the aromatic teas at home anytime. On a scale of 1 to 5, I rate my experience at the Urban Tea Merchant a 3.5.

Afternoon Tea vs High Tea

Afternoon Tea and High Tea are terms that are used interchangeably nowadays for a light meal taken place between noon to 2 o'clock or between 2 o'clock and 4 o'clock at restaurants, hotels and tea salons. A customary meal served in a tiered tray consists of sandwiches (egg salad, cucumber with cream cheese, smoked salmon), scones (with devonshire or clotted cream and jam), sweets (cakes, tarts, macaroons) and fruits (chocolate dipped strawberries) accompanied by loose tea leaves steeped in a teapot and glass of champagne (optional).

Afternoon Tea was originated in England during the Victorian era by Anna, the 7th Dutchess of Bedford to appease hunger as there were only two meals served in a day during that time - lunch and dinner. A variety of savories and sweets along with tea were served. This ritual later evolved into a social gathering of friends in formal attire among the high class. High Tea was a late afternoon/early evening meal or also known as Meat Tea consisting of meats, fish, dairy, sandwiches, cakes and other hot dishes among the working class. The meal was served on a high table (dining room table) accompanied by tea.

Today, High Tea is often mistaken for Afternoon Tea and is a term commonly used by hotels, restaurants and tearooms outside England for an elaborate and formal afternoon tea. Would you follow the British's proper term usage of High Tea or the American's?