Teaophilic Treatise (Part IV of IV): Sorrento’s Afternoon Delight

So we’ve thus far enjoyed a majority of the “teaophilic treatise” series, dear hedonists – part I, part II, and part III, to be exact.

Not that Victoria isn’t a wonderful city (for it is, without question), but what about the enjoyment of this traditional British repast right here in Seattle? Fear not, my hedonistic teaophiles – for we have the Sorrento Hotel – that historic haven that turned 100 this year.

The dark, hand-rubbed mahogany from Honduras really sets a mood of luxury and privilege in the Fireside Room.

This exquisite 100-year-old fireplace is by far the highlight of this room (not to mention its very apt namesake).

Note that the Sorrento hosts an afternoon tea service seasonally (which your Hedonista recently reviewed as a media guest): from October through to Thanksgiving on Saturday afternoons and then daily from November 27th until January 10th.  Tea time is from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m and takes places in the Fireside Room, so named for it’s priceless and lovingly restored turn-of-the-century hearth constructed with hand-crafted conifer-green tiles from the Rookwood Pottery Company (Rookwood tiles have sold at auction through Christie’s of New York for $23,000 a tile).

The (optional) start of a champagne cocktail is recommended; the Kir Royale – their most-popular of the four they offer – consists of a yummy Mumm Mini with just a kiss of Cassis.

(Think ginger ale meets molasses with a touch of citrus.) Their tea list – a total of four blacks and another six teas of the herbals/tisanses and green tea varieties. Your Hedonista’s personal favs include the Orange Jasmine (a perfect tea companion to the afternoon tea vittles:  vanilla notes sweeten the palate along with orange, bergamot, and a soft jasmine finish … all enveloped within a full-bodied black tea) and the Celebration (a perfect tea for chocoholics:  a chocolate-

Enjoying a champagne cocktail at the Sorrento Hotel's Afternoon tea is a true delight. The luscious Kir Royale is pictured here.

Sorrento's tri-tiered tray. (And yes, you can always ask for more!)

scented tea that reminds you of the chocolate-covered fruit in a bridge mix(ture)).

The highlights of this tea are definitely the sandwiches and the lemon scones. The finger sammies included a very nice tarragon walnut chicken, a lovely smoked salmon goat cheese ‘n’ chive on rye, a tasty cucumber mint, and a fab egg salad chervil. And the lemon scone lacked the usual denseness – it was really more like a pastry, it was so light and flaky. Congrats to Executive Sous Chef Christopher Jensen for these tempting treats.

There are additional sweets, of course – a raspberry linzer, a chocolate cherry pistachio bar, an orange glaze coconut snowball, and a mini chocolate éclair -to complete the traditional tri-tiered tray.

At $35 per person (add an extra $10 for the champagne cocktail) and $18 per child, this tea is worth a try – both for the aristocratic ambiance and the nice noshies. Note that reservations are required, so be sure to make the approriate arrangements ahead of time.

And don’t forget to ask for the spot near the fireplace.

Note: In order to comply with FTC Act 16 C.F.R. 255, Heed the Hedonist would like to disclose that it does receive media “comps” and/or media discounts – but not in exchange for favorable coverage, or for withholding unfavorable coverage, of the given venue/meal/performance/product/service.