Afternoon Tea at the Fairmont Château Laurier Hotel
Afternoon tea at the Fairmont Château Laurier in Ottawa, Canada was a treat, starting with the hotel itself. This storied city landmark is sometimes referred to as simply "The Castle."
The exterior of the Fairmont is famously iconic. The interior doesn't disappoint, either. Afternoon tea is served in Zoe's, the picturesque bar and restaurant that is an ideal spot for gathering and Instagram photos.
The overall tea experience is an elegant affair. I wanted to dress for the occasion, but also for my day which included an afternoon of walking and sightseeing. For my outfit, I chose a polka dot shift dress with black tights and comfortable shoes. I added a black trench as outerwear.
For the food there was a pre-set tea menu, but substitutions were allowed. The finger sandwiches and pastries were served on a 3-tier tray. Everything was delicious and there was a nice balance between savory and sweet items. The attention to detail and presentation was impressive.
Of course there's tea -- over 30 varieties to choose from. I selected the Sencha Saemidori, a green tea that is only grown three weeks per year. Afternoon cocktails are also served if you're a non-tea drinker.
