Chinese New Year may have come and gone, but until March 13, 2014 you can still enjoy afternoon tea at the Shangri-La Hotel Vancouver’s Xi Shi Lounge.

We love the modern lounge of Xi Shi and their Blue Willow China set; hanging out there on a rainy afternoon just feels right. The hotel has switched up the room a bit for the month to give it with some nods to Chinese culture and there’s even live classical piano on the weekends.

We started with the special Jasmine Blossoming Tea, which is $5 extra, although there are many delightful options from the regular tea menu. However, watching the magical manner in which the blossoming tea blooms is worth the splurge and you can enjoy many many cups from the same pot.

On the savoury tray of the afternoon tea platter the usual sandwiches had been replaced with BBQ Pork Brioche Buns  filled with tasty pork and a crunchy cabbage, a Curried Tofu Wrap and Crispy Duck Spring Rolls filled with duck, radish and carrot. The lovely Smoked Salmon Bagels were still present as well.

The scones are some of our favourites in the city and we’ve been known to pack some to go. This time these flaky, moist and buttery delights came in orange and regular this time around with the usual strawberry and marmalade preserves, and Devonshire cream.

Atop the tray was a Green Tea Opera Cake, a Coconut Rice Cake, which is more like a jelly and very delish, Egg Tarts and on the side Black Sesame Dumplings in Ginger Syrup.  We took some of these to go as the tray is filling even if you do sit and enjoy the experience over an hour or two, which is the only way to do it!

The tea available daily from 11:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for $38 with the Signature Jasmine Blossoming Tea available for an extra $5 until March 13, 2014.