Notch 8 at the Fairmont Vancouver is known for their inventive and creative afternoon tea themes. This fall, losing a turn has never tasted so sweet thanks to Notch8’s new classic board game inspired afternoon tea. It’s time to get your game on at Notch 8. And on Friday nights, there’s a special version of this tea theme: the Game Night Tipsy Tea. Here’s a look at what you can expect with the Game On Afternoon Tea.
Disclosure: All food and drinks in this review were complimentary. Opinions are my own.
Game Boards, Tabletop Trivia
The Private Dining Room of Notch8 Restaurant & Bar is where the afternoon tea experience takes place. You’ll find vintage décor including time-honoured game boards, custom tabletop trivia cards, and retro prints.
Guests begin by selecting their preferred choice of Fairmont’s new Lot 35 Tea to sip on, although the Creamy Earl Grey – a black tea with cornflower petals and a wickedly delicious cream flavour – is one that comes highly recommended. For a tipsy twist, you can choose from four tea infused cocktails like the Miss Scarlet, made with Tanqueray Ten Gin, Rosebud Tea simple syrup, lemon juice, raspberry jam and egg whites.
Game On Afternoon Tea Menu
SCONES
- Chocolate Chip Scone, Apple Cinnamon Scone
- Clotted Cream, Berry Compote
SAVOURY
- Go Fish – Niscoise Sandwich
- Ahi Tuna, Shrimp, Olives, Green Beans, Poached Eggs, Baby Potatoes, Anchovy Olive Tapenade
- King Me – Double Stacked Blini
- Smoked Salmon, Caviar, Herb Cream Cheese, Baby Dill
- Game of L.I.F.E. Sandwich
- Lettuce, Italian Sausage, Fig Mostarda, Emmental
- Imberico Ham, Filone Bread, Fior di Latte
- Chess-nut Tart
- Candied Chestnut, Duck Confit, Chanterelle Mushrooms, Duck Prosciutto, Wild Berry
SWEET
- Double Domino Lemon Tart
- Vanilla Bean Short Dough, Lemon Curd
- Red Velvet XO Macaron
- Cream Cheese Icing
- Raspberry Heart Shortbread Card
- Raspberry Filled Shortbread, Icing Sugar
- Valrhona Top Hat Chocolate Mousse
- Dark Chocolate, Aramena Cherry
- Checkmate Battenberg Cake
- Sacher Torte, Lemon Madeleine, Almond Paste, Chocolate Chess Piece
- Chocolate Checkers Coin
To start, we were presented with a plate of delicious, buttery chocolate chip and apple cinnamon scones with clotted cream and berry compote.
The themed tea fare is presented on a unique bookshelf tier. The savouries include a “Go Fish” Niscoise Sandwich made with ahi tuna, shrimp, olives poached eggs and baby potatoes; a Chess-nut Tart with candied chestnut, duck confit and chanterelle mushrooms; and a ‘King Me’ Double Stacked Blini with smoked salmon, caviar, herb cream cheese and baby dill. Also included were the Game of L.I.F.E. Sandwiches (Lettuce, Italian Sausage, Fig Mostarda, Emmental and Imberico Ham, Filone Bread, Fior di Latte).
The “Go Fish” Niscoise Sandwich made with ahi tuna, shrimp, olives poached eggs and baby potatoes was certainly one of the cutest savoury items. I enjoyed the incorporation of two seafood items: ahi tuna and shrimp.
The “King Me” Double Stacked Blini with smoked salmon, caviar, herb cream cheese and baby dill was the most luxurious item from the tier. Its round shape is quite reminescent of the King Me checker piece.
Sweet treats from the in-house Pastry Shop complete the game with items like a Double Domino Lemon Tart; Red Velvet XO Macaron; Valrhona Chocolate Mousse with Aramena cherry served in a dark chocolate top hat; Raspberry Heart Shortbread Card; and a ‘Checkmate’ Battenberg Cake accompanied by a white chocolate chess piece.
The Double Domino Lemon Tart was a whimsically presented item with a nice, zesty lemon flavour.
The Valrhona Chocolate mousse with Aramena cherry served in a dark chocolate top hat was rich and decadent. It seems to be inspired by the Monopoly top hat.
A macaron with a twist was the Red Velvet XO Macaron with cream cheese icing.
The White Chocolate chess piece was an item that stood out to be because of its cute presentation.
Game On Afternoon Tea runs from September 20th – November 26th, 2017, with sittings Wednesdays – Sundays at 11AM, 1PM & 3PM. Adults $59, Children $29.5 (ages 12 & under). Game Night Tipsy Tea runs Friday evenings from October 6th – November 17th, 2017, at 7PM. $75 per person. Guests must be 19+ years of age.
Reservations are strongly encouraged and can be made by calling 604-662-1900, or online through http://www.fairmont.com/hotel-vancouver/dining/afternoon-tea/ or http://www.notch8- dining.com/afternoon-tea/.