Earlier this week, I was invited to sample some of the wonderful macarons, mini quiches, and cheesecake, all beautifully displayed at the front counter of Granville Street’s recently-opened SALONTEA.
Vancouverite Sarah Ambrose was taken with the New York-based SALONTEA owner Tracy Stern while watching an episode of Bravo Television’s “Mad Fashion” and just knew she needed to get in touch with Stern to bring the teas to Vancouver. It’s been a lifelong dream realized for Ambrose in opening her own tea shop as she left a career in social work to start her own business.
I enjoyed The Musician tea, served iced in a double-walled Bodum cup. This rooibos tea is blended with rose petals, hibiscus, and lemongrass that is a well-deserved sip on warm summer afternoon and would be equally soothing on a rainy winter day.
Flavourful tea-enhanced macarons are specially created to go with SALONTEAs by Carly Wintschel’s Kitchening & Co.
Walking through this colourful tea shop reminded me of Sophia Coppola’s film, “Marie Antoinette“. That scene with the rich, indulgent cakes, teas, and bubbly being poured with Bow Wow Wow’s “I Want Candy” playing in the background. This is a whimsical tea shop that serves a variety of sweets, quiches, and sandwiches to go along with an equally off-beat collection of tea. Sandwiches, wraps, and salads are also served, provided by Meinhardt Fine Foods located next door.
Owner Tracy Stern is proud of her teas that are handpicked from some of the finest private estates around the world. Teas are custom blended with herbs, spices, and perfumed botanicals to create small batch teas with whimsical names such as The Musician, The Writer, The Artist, and The Lover. Tracy has quite the following amongst Hollywood celebrities, from Jamie Pressley to Paris Hilton. Described as a “tea fashionista”, Tracy’s tea lip balms have also been gifted to the NBA All-Stars while “The Player” tea was poured at their All-Star suite.
Tea parties have become a popular event here, and the surprise trunk filled with hats, boas, and masks is there to help partygoers get in the mood.
For a tea party, SALONTEA prepares smoked salmon pinwheels with fresh dill and cream cheese, pickled ginger, cucumber and watercress finger sandwiches, mini curried chicken croissants and mini ham and Swiss cheese sandwiches on ciabatta bread, in addition to the sweets and teas.
Contact the salon for more information on tea parties as well as for upcoming events.
SALONTEA is located at 3010 Granville Street, next door to Meinhardt Fine Foods in Vancouver.
