I have a thing for the ritual of afternoon tea. Something about taking a break and snacking on mini this and thats alongside a good pot or two of tea just does it for me. It’s an especially good time to catch up on friends happenings, spill a little gossip and all this comes without a hangover. This spring when Tracy Stern SALONTEA opened South Granville, I and other tea lovers had another spot to enjoy the process at 3010 Granville Street.
Sarah Ambrose is the woman behind this boutique. She saw SALONTEA President, Tracy Stern on Bravo Television and was drawn to the story of the tea and tea parties. She contacted Stern, they formed a partnership and she now distributes the extensive selection of teas, accessories and tea beauty care throughout Canada as well as running the tea boutique.
The tea house has more than a dozen estate blended teas and customers can enjoy daily tea service alongside baked goods sweets, salads and sandwiches. Also available at the boutique: signed-copies of Tracy Stern’s popular book, ‘Tea Party: 20 Themed Tea Parties with Recipes for Every Occasion, from Fabulous Showers to Intimate Gatherings’.
Vancouver SALONTEA hours are 10am to 7pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 5pm weekends & holidays.
The room is bright and airy, filled with brilliant orange and pink and balanced out with a good slap of white. I sampled a number of items they put together for me.
Scone selection (changes seasonally)- house made cheddar cheese, raspberry and white chocolate or raisin scones served are all served with with Devon Cream and jam
Sandwiches include:
Vegetarian on Multi Grain – lettuce, Swiss cheese, avocado, tomato, cucumber, red onion and salt and pepper with light mayonnaise as a base
Ham and Swiss on Multi Grain – thin sliced black forest ham layered with slices of Swiss cheese served with a grainy mustard spread, lettuce, tomato and cucumber
Steveston Blend on Croissant – Grilled chicken, artichoke, chopped gherkins, red onion and tangy, grainy mustard vinaigrette
Salmon Salad Wrap – Sockeye salmon, green onion, freshly chopped dill, thin sliced red onion, light mayonnaise, lemon zest and lemon juice
Curry Chicken Salad on Croissant – grilled chicken, green onion, freshly grated ginger, red onion, light mayonnaise, curry spices and fresh cilantro
Salads on the menu:
Quinoa Greek Salad – the perfect, healthy take on a classic Greek dish
Coconut Mango Chick Pea Salad – an Ambrose family favourite that is surprisingly filling, fresh and tasty!
Sarah’s Spring Mix – spinach, goat cheese, almond slivers, seasonal fruit slices tossed in our house vinaigrette
Lots of sweets including:Mini Cupcakes (assorted flavours)Macarons by Kitchening With Carly (assorted fresh seasonal flavours and monthly special tea-infused Macarons exclusive to SALONTEA made using loose tea)Cheesecake bites (change daily) Delicious bite-size morsels of cheesecake goodnessLemon Bars – lemon bars topped with fresh seasonal berries
Brownies – chocolate caramel brownies to satisfy your sweet tooth ($3.50 each)
Mini Mousse (currently featuring a mango and white chocolate mousse with fresh mint and raspberries in an individual cup)
Salontea also hosts tea parties and has special Tea Party-only menu ideas
- Smoked Salmon Pinwheel with fresh dill and cream cheese
- Pickled Ginger, Cucumber and watercress, sour cream
- Mini curried chicken croissants
- Mini ham and Swiss cheese sandwiches on ciabatta
