Afternoon Tea Ritz-Carlton Montreal

Street Art, Montreal

the love of tea mag

Paris of the North-Montreal

Montreal Ritz-Carlton located 1228 Sherbrooke Street West

The story begins with a Swiss hotel entrepreneur by the name of Cesar Ritz, who was born in a small Swiss village, the youngest of 13 children in a poor peasant family. He originally trained as a sommelier, then waiter and finally partnered with one of the greatest chefs of all time, Auguste Escoffier.

Together, they built the largest hotel empire of their era. Then as now, food was a great draw especially when combined with elegant hotel service.

In 1918 Ritz died, but his hotel brand continued. The first Ritz- Carlton in North America was opened in New York City in 1911.

Welcome to the Ritz-Carlton, front door

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Opened in 1912, it was the first hotel in North America to bear the Ritz-Carlton name and was originally licensed by César Ritz. He insisted on very specific hotel standards, such as every room had to have its own separate bathroom and a staircase to the main hall wide enough to accommodate ballroom dresses.

The hotel has a history of famous guests, from royalty to the Rolling Stones, and today it is owned by the Marriott chain. Dining remains a focus of hospitality with Maison Boulud named for Chef Daniel Boulud based on traditional French techniques with local ingredients. As well, the famous afternoon tea tradition in the Palm Court remains an elegant way to celebrate special events or meet up with friends.

Our server who looked after every detail-

Afternoon Tea Desserts

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Warm Scones

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Savory Afternoon Tea Sandwiches

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Environment & living space is everything in setting up one’s mood for the day. In a typical wild snowstorm that closed most of the roads in Montreal, we trudged off to the Ritz-Carlton Hotel for Afternoon tea not discouraged by any of the snow that was whipping around us.

Once we stepped into the entrance, there was a transformation back to the “Palm Court” referring to the era where it was described as a large area dining room with palm trees hosting tea dances noted in high end hotels dating back to the 19th century in England. In fact so popular the fated Titanic had its own Palm Court onboard. Fresh plants and florals were in sight and the only palms were the ones painted overhead on the vaulted ceiling.

As it roared snow, we sat by the fireplace and had a tea that was memorable of what tea should be—taking time.

I often wondered how one could be more creative and especially in new cities whether Montréal could put a creative twist on the menu offerings.

Service was excellent and the food standard fair without any surprises. Maybe at times of a crisis, in this case a wicked snowstorm having the comfort of familiar tastings is a reassurance in itself. It provided the feeling of being cared for and pampered. As in home sweet home- all I needed was my bathrobe and my slippers to feel I was lounging in my own space.

Pastry and scones was perfect executed by Pastry Chef Claude Guerin named best Part Chef in Canada, 2017. Unfortunately, no surprises except that “homemade Devonshire cream” bears no resemblance to real Devon clotted cream. Sandwiches are prepared to perfection with homemade breads.

With 48 hours in advance they have an approved Kosher Afternoon Tea. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and pescatarian options are available upon request 24 hours in advance.

Tea offerings were standard to include white, herbal, green and black teas. We ordered Bai Mu Dan white tea, inaccurately described as Perfectly Pear, and Earl Grey Tea. Both paired well with the savoury and sweet offerings.

“The Customer is alwaysright”—César Ritz, Founder of the Ritz-Carlton

List of famous guests

Prince of Wales Winston Churchill Queen Marie of Romania Lord Birkenhead Prince George, Duke of Kent Prince Felix of Luxembourg President William Howard Taft Mary Pickford Douglas Fairbanks Marlene Dietrich Liberace Tyrone Power Maurice Chevalier Elizabeth Taylor & Richard Burton (Married at the Montreal Ritz) Queen Elizabeth II Prince Philip Charles de Gaulle The Rolling Stones Celine Dion

Afternoon Tea Biscuits/Scones- Anytime

Preheat oven 400 degrees F

Afternoon Scones developed & tested by the love of tea mag

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Blend together 1 1/4 c all purpose flour 2 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp salt

Using your fingers break and rub into flour1/8 cup butter + 1/8 cup vegetable shortening

Stir in 1/2 cup of milk with 2 tbsp yogurt mixed

Mix and knead for 8 times.

Shape into 8-10 pieces drop into non stick bake pan.Bake 14 mins

Makes 8-10 biscuits