Off the Eaten Track

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Anna, the seventh Duchess of Bedford, started the custom of afternoon tea to stave off her hunger until dinner. The ritual caught on, and she held her teas in Woburn Abbey, the ancestral home to earls and dukes in the Blue Drawing room.

High Tea enjoys a revival every few years, but it will never truly go out of style. The dining room at the Village Tea shop is blue as well, the colour of forget-me-nots, and is pretty and elegant with white satin tablecloths and pine arrow-backed chairs. Soup of the day was chicken noodle. The Village Tea room serves up sandwiches and light lunches. Specialties of the house are quiche, Shepherd's Pie, and steak pot pie. I chose a roast beef sandwich ($8.45). Freshly made, this was a straightforward version, cut daintily and layered with tomatoes that tasted like summer. A composed salad was included, and was beautifully coloured and presented. A large selection of salad dressings is listed, such as English salad cream, blue cheese and raspberry vinaigrette. Your choice will come on the side of the plate, a nice touch.

There are lots of goodies...scones, crumpets and assorted cakes. A plethora of honeys is available to slather on with the Devon cream. I can almost taste how delicious ginger storm or cinnamon stick must be. I had a pot of Earl Grey tea ($2.60), properly made and steeped, which demonstrated why tea is the most popular beverage in the world. Reserve in advance for the afternoon tea ($21.50 a person). This runs the gamut from dainty sandwiches, cakes, treats, scones, Devon cream and strawberry jam. A special Valentine tea (by reservation) is being planned for Feb. 14 with extended hours (until 7 p.m.). The Village Tea experience would be a great birthday treat for your mother, whom you don't call enough, on her birthday. The shop has hosted both bridal showers and baby showers. Bring some culture and class back to your life. And don't forget to call your mother.

The Village Tea Room

2967 Kingston Rd.

Cliffcrest Plaza

(416) 267-3855

Wheelchair access: no barriers

Hours:

Tuesday-Saturday: 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.