Location:
Langdon Hall, 1 Langdon Drive, Cambridge, ON
Cost: $27.00 per person, plus applicable taxes
The correct definition for Afternoon Tea is:
"a light meal typically eaten between 3pm and 5pm, originating in the UK and consisting of loose tea served in a teapot and accompanied with mini sandwiches, pastries and cakes served in a tiered stand."
That's precisely what we wanted when 'Afternoon Tea with the Ladies" was planned.
After a bit of research was done for tea places in Toronto, I finally discovered that Cambridge's Langdon Hall offered a desirable spread of goodies in a gorgeous setting, and it then became our destination for not only an afternoon of tea but a full day's outing.
After carefully synchronizing our two vehicles to travel together (in light rainfall), eight of us (lovely maidens) arrived early for our 2pm appointed sitting. Langdon Hall offers Afternoon Tea at 2 and 4 o'clock.
Although I had requested for all of us to be seated together, we still found ourselves directed to two tables of four at opposing ends of the room. However, the staff were gracious enough to rearrange the tables and chairs so that we were finally sitting down together.
I imagined sitting at a giant round or rectangular table (for eight) at elbow-level but we were in fact seated in a veranda at tables closer to knee-level instead. Nevertheless, the table settings, decor and natural sun-light (finally) pouring into the room were all distinctly charming and all of us were quite pleased.
The menu at Langdon Halls consists of the "Traditional Afternoon Tea" for $27 (plus tax) and the "Langdon Hall Royal Tea" which begins with a glass of champagne followed by the traditional tea for $49.00 (plus tax). We opted to take the traditional route and the vast selection of teas (English Breakfast, Rose, Pear) kept us engrossed in the menu for quite some time. I picked my all-time favourite, Earl Grey and all the teas (loose-leaf) arrived first; in pretty flowered tea pots (served by a, contrastingly, burly male waiter). The tea, with the honey and sugar cubes provided, couldn't have tasted any better!
Then came the tiers!
First tier: Four each of cucumer/radish curry swirl sandwiches, apple chutney pastries, shrimp puffs and salmon squares/tarts. The curry sandwiches were especially tasty.
Second tier: was a assortment of Madeleines and scones galore! With the Devonshire/clotted cream and jam, these were divine.
Third tier: the lemon cakes, chocolate macaroons, shortbread cookies and blueberry tarts, were all very decadent.
It was all very very tasty and beautifully presented!
After our delicious tea party, we headed off onto the Langdon Hall grounds to take in the sights. The outdoor pool, croquet field and massive vegetable garden were beautifully tended.
Afternoon Tea at Langdon Hall is especially great for girlie get-togethers. Whatever the celebration, the surroundings make the trip to Cambridge worthwhile.
