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Notch8 Chocolate Laboratory Afternoon Tea at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver

Until the end of April, the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver’s Notch8 Restaurant takes on a “mad scientist” role as they present a pop-up Chocolate Laboratory Dessert Lounge. The Chocolate Laboratory Afternoon Tea runs until April 28th with sittings from Thursday – Sunday while on Fridays and Saturdays the Lounge offers a selection of laboratory-inspired cocktails.

Notch8 Chocolate Laboratory Afternoon Tea at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver 2019

I was invited to a media tasting. Here’s a look at what you can expect.


Chocolate Covered Walls

It’s a feast for the eyes for guests upon entering the private dining room of Notch8 as the room features custom built floor-to-ceiling chocolate-covered walls.

Notch8 Chocolate Laboratory Afternoon Tea at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver 2019

Notch8 Chocolate Laboratory Afternoon Tea Menu

Priced at $59 per adult and $29.50 children 12 and under, the Notch8 Chocolate Laboratory Afternoon Tea features various chocolate-inspired sweet and savoury items.

Notch8 Chocolate Laboratory Afternoon Tea at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver 2019

Guests begin by selecting their preferred choice of Fairmont’s LOT 35 Tea to sip on. I went with the Creamy Earl Grey with a delicious cream flavour while my guest had the Joie de Provence, a rooibos with dried berries a dash of lavender.

Anyone looking to add a tipsy twist to their Afternoon Tea can select from themed cocktails like The Oscillating Clock, made with Empress 1908 Gin, simple syrup, lemon and tonic.

Notch8 Chocolate Laboratory Afternoon Tea at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver 2019

Starter

To start, we enjoyed a s’mores crème brûlée as a delicious palate cleanser.

Notch8 Chocolate Laboratory Afternoon Tea at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver 2019

Scones

Next, we indulged in warm triple chocolate and raspberry white chocolate scones served with milk chocolate clotted cream and mixed berry compote.

Notch8 Chocolate Laboratory Afternoon Tea at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver 2019

These scones were delicious to the last bite being wonderfully buttery, flaky. I loved the triple chocolate scones with milk chocolate clotted cream.

Notch8 Chocolate Laboratory Afternoon Tea at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver 2019

Afternoon Tea Tier

We were then presented with a three-tier display box containing the sweet and savoury items. The display box itself is dusted with chocolate so I found myself needing to lick my fingers after handling the box!

Notch8 Chocolate Laboratory Afternoon Tea at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver 2019

Savouries

The savouries include a Chili Chicken Sandwich with mole sauce and fromage frais; a Chocolate BLT made with chocolate apple bacon, tomato and iceberg lettuce; Emperor Ham and Swiss Crepe with cocoa powder; Cocoa Gravlax with lemon mascarpone and chives; and Chocolate Butter Dipped Red Radish with sea salt.

Notch8 Chocolate Laboratory Afternoon Tea at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver 2019
Chili Chicken Sandwich with mole sauce and fromage frais
Notch8 Chocolate Laboratory Afternoon Tea at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver 2019
Chocolate BLT made with chocolate apple bacon, tomato and iceberg lettuce
Notch8 Chocolate Laboratory Afternoon Tea at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver 2019
Emperor Ham and Swiss Crepe with cocoa powder
Notch8 Chocolate Laboratory Afternoon Tea at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver 2019
Cocoa Gravlax with lemon mascarpone and chives
Notch8 Chocolate Laboratory Afternoon Tea at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver 2019
Chocolate Butter Dipped Red Radish with sea salt

Sweets

Sweet treats from the in-house Pastry Shop complete the tier with Chocolate Jaffa Cake, Gold Popping Candy Chocolate Sable, a Red Velvet Cream Puff, a Popcorn Brownie, and a Chocolate Waffle topped with caramelized banana and sour cream Chantilly.

Notch8 Chocolate Laboratory Afternoon Tea at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver 2019
Chocolate Jaffa Cake
Notch8 Chocolate Laboratory Afternoon Tea at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver 2019
Gold Popping Candy Chocolate Sable
Notch8 Chocolate Laboratory Afternoon Tea at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver 2019
Red Velvet Cream Puff
Notch8 Chocolate Laboratory Afternoon Tea at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver 2019
Popcorn Brownie
Notch8 Chocolate Laboratory Afternoon Tea at Fairmont Hotel Vancouver 2019
Chocolate Waffle topped with caramelized banana and sour cream Chantilly

Friday and Saturday Cocktails and Desserts

The Chocolate Laboratory Dessert Lounge, open on Friday and Saturday evenings, will offer a selection of cocktails, like the Cocoa Combustion, a drink for two that features LOT 35 Earl Grey Tea, Crème de Cacao, Kraken Spiced Rum and lemon.

Dessert offerings include Liquid Matter made up of a dark chocolate cake, peanut brittle chunks, chocolate meringue, peanut butter ice cream and molten chocolate, or the Truffle Specimens that come in flavours like goat cheese and lime or olive oil and chipotle.


Chocolate Laboratory Dessert Lounge Hours and Reservations

Chocolate Laboratory Afternoon Tea runs from February 28th – April 28th, 2019, with sittings Thursdays – Sundays at 11am, 1pm & 3pm. Adults $59, Children $29.5 (ages 12& under).

Chocolate Laboratory Dessert Lounge runs Friday and Saturday evenings from March 1st – April 27th, 2019, from 7pm – 10pm.

For tiny tots, a Children’s Tea is offered with kid-friendly tea sandwiches, scones, and other delicious sweets. Additionally, options catering to guests with specific diet-dependent conditions such as gluten-free, as well as dietary preferences like vegetarian and vegan diets are available with advance notice at time of booking.

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/.

For the past three years, Notch8 has offered themed afternoon teas with a playful twist on the classic tradition. Changing quarterly, past themes include Mad Hatter’s Tea Party, Old World Carnival, and Enchanted Forest. Be sure to check back regularly on their latest offering.

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