Spring in Vancouver often arrives with the soft pink blooms of cherry blossom trees across the city. In recognition of the season, Fairmont Hotel Vancouver is presenting a limited time Sakura Afternoon Tea that draws inspiration from Japanese flavours and the traditional ritual of afternoon tea.
Fairmont Hotel Vancouver has long been known as one of the city’s historic landmarks. Often referred to as the “Castle in the City,” the downtown hotel first opened in 1939 and continues to host seasonal dining experiences throughout the year at Notch8 Restaurant. The Sakura Afternoon Tea is one of their spring offerings, inviting guests to enjoy a curated selection of sweet and savoury bites that reflect the colours and flavours associated with cherry blossom season.
The Sakura themed menu features several sweet creations inspired by spring ingredients and Japanese desserts. The Cherry Panna Cotta Tart includes morello jelly and amarena cherry, giving the dessert a pleasant tartness alongside the creamy panna cotta. The Pistachio Raspberry Delice combines pistachio with raspberry in a sponge based dessert that offers a gentle contrast between nutty and fruity notes.
The Strawberry Verrine is presented in a small glass with Chantilly and vanilla genoise. It is light and pleasantly sweet with fresh strawberry flavour. The Castella Cake With Yuzu Cream references the well known Japanese sponge cake, filled with citrusy yuzu cream that brings a bright element to the dessert selection. A Lavender Shortbread Cookie finished with pink lemonade glaze provides a floral accent to the tea tier.
On the savoury side, the Cherry Salmon Aburi On Milk Bread is a notable item. The lightly torched salmon sits on soft milk bread with yuzu aioli, creating a small but satisfying bite. The Tamago Sando With Furikake draws from the classic Japanese egg sandwich, featuring soft egg filling on pillowy bread with a sprinkle of furikake seasoning.
Other savoury offerings include Vegetable Korokke With Tonkatsu Sauce and a Mushroom Dengaku Tart, both inspired by Japanese comfort foods. The Curry Pan With Beef is a small bread filled with curry flavoured beef, offering a warm and savoury component to the tea selection.
Traditional tea service elements are also included. Buttermilk And Chia Vanilla Scones are served warm with mascarpone tea cream and strawberry jam, which is a familiar part of afternoon tea and a welcome addition to the menu.
The presentation of the tea this year also includes artwork by Vancouver oil painter Courtney Caroline. Her illustration of the Sakura tea table setting appears on the menu and reflects the idea of gathering around food and conversation.
Sakura Afternoon Tea is available at Notch8 Restaurant through May 18 with seatings on Thursdays and from Friday through Sunday. Reservations are recommended as the seasonal tea runs for a limited time during cherry blossom season in Vancouver.
Fairmont Hotel Vancouver is located at 900 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, BC.