The creative minds have been hard at play at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver, which is known as the "Castle in the City." The historic venus is also the longtime home of one of the most storied Afternoon Tea services in Vancouver - they're truly among the best in the game.
Late this spring, the hotel's restaurant, Notch8, debuted its new chess-themed Afternoon Tea, complete with oversized chess pieces, themed eats and sweets, and plenty of photo ops.
Called Griffin's Gambit, the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver has stepped up its modern tradition of creating limited-run themed tea service this time around by bringing on Vancouver-based Koncept Designs to re-imagine the tea room. The result is an engaging and immersive experience tucked in Notch8's "library" room that is a full-on escape from the city and encounter with whimsy.
In addition to chess pieces and chess boards on all the shelves (and yes, you can move them to your tables for a friendly tea-time match), there are pieces affixed to the ceiling and on a big wall display. The former will of course take you back to 2020 and binge-watching the absorbing Netflix drama The Queen's Gambit, while the latter will beckon for you to have your photo taken in front of it - and the friendly Notch8 tearoom staff will happily oblige.
At your table - covered in a checkerboard pattern, of course - you'll sit down to enjoy Notch8's always-excellent tea, which features a three-tiered tower of house-made sweets and savouries.
On the menu for Griffin's Gambit are a duo of scones (Aged Cheddar and Buttermilk) with strawberry preserve and crème fraîche, which we had warm from the oven - perfection.
The savoury tier showcases elegant finger sandwiches and small bites like a deviled egg topped with Emperor Ham, a Dungeness Crab Corn Custard Tart, and a parmesan crisp with tomato jam and bail (it's like a one-bite chilled version of grilled cheese and tomato soup). The sweets include a charming checkerboard cake slice, tiny tarts, and chocolate chess pieces.
Since it's tea time, you'll of course have your choice of Lot 35 teas, and your server can help you choose which one will best suit your tastebuds. Kids will love their fruity "bubble gum" tea, too.
@vancouverisawesome It’s your move! #forkingawesome #vancouverbc #afternoontea #chess 👄: @lindsaywilliamross ♬ Sex And The City - Main Theme - Geek Music
Griffin’s Gambit Afternoon Tea is available from Thursday through Sunday from now until September 4, with seatings at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 3 p.m. The special Afternoon Tea Menu is available for $69 per person ($34.50 children 12 and under), and reservations are strongly recommended. Though it's not quite the same as sitting in the tea room, Notch8 continues to make their Afternoon Tea available to-go on weekends through advanced bookings, with pick-ups at noon and 2 p.m.
