Category Archives: Winter

Afternoon Teas, General, Winter

Tea for One

Sometimes, amidst the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it’s nice to simply curl up by the fire with a good book and a fine cup of tea.  But why stop at a cup of tea when you can while away the afternoon with tasty fare served up in style.  So, when you have no one else to please but yourself, you can still pamper yourself and enjoy a fine afternoon tea.

Curious about what’s on the tea table today?  Let’s have a look-see what’s on the two-tier server.  Anyone who knows me really well knows I love my tiered servers!

Let’s start with the sandwiches.  Today’s offering is a simple egg salad sandwich, nice and easy to prepare, but ever so tasty!

Today I am serving a traditional scone with clotted cream, blackcurrant and blueberry jam, and my own lemon curd.

On the sweet plate, a selection of treats that include a macaron, melting moment cookie, Hello Dolly square, fruitcake, and some fresh raspberries.  Are you drooling yet?

The macaron is filled with just a wee bit of buttercream icing.

This personal-sized teapot was a thrift shop find several years ago. It holds just two cups of tea, perfect for one person.

Today’s tea is Stash’s Decaf English Breakfast, one of my all-time favorites.

While they are not a matched set, these tea plates work with the cup and saucer. Sometimes, mismatched china actually adds charm and character to a tea setting.

I love the blending of the pink shades!  It’s very girly!

 

Thanks for dropping in for a spot of tea.  Enjoy your week!

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Thank you for visiting “the Bistro” today. There are lots of ways to connect with “the Bistro” through social media:

Join My Island Bistro Kitchen on Facebook
Follow the Bistro’s tweets on twitter @PEIBistro
Find the Bistro on Pinterest at “Island Bistro Kitchen”
Follow along on Instagram at “peibistro”

 

 

Afternoon Teas, General, Winter

A Savory Afternoon Tea by the Fireside

Brrrrr, it’s been a cold day on Prince Edward Island.  Our first cold snap of the season.  Temperatures were around -13C but, with the wind chill, it certainly felt a lot colder than that.  A good day to curl up by the fireside with some tasty food and a good cup of tea.

Was overseas to New Brunswick yesterday and, of course, that meant a stop at Tony’s Bistro and Pâtisserie in Moncton.  I introduced you to this great French Pâtisserie back in November (click here for the link to the story).

We had lunch at Tony’s yesterday and, naturally, I had to bring home some goodies that we could have for afternoon tea today.  Ready to have a peek?

Let’s start with these tasty little quiches.  Nice flaky pastry, these were delicious!

Then, there was the White Chocolate Rocher cake. This was seriously rich and decadent!  Layers of decadence!

Did you check out the little white meringue trees?  Light as air.

My choice of tea today was the Lady Slipper Blend from Lady Baker’s Tea Trolley.  You can read the story I previously published on this tea company by clicking here.

The China cups and saucers are Royal Vale but I could find no pattern name on them.

This will be my last afternoon tea of 2014 so thank you to those who have visited my tea table over the past year. I will also be joining Sandi’s last Tea Time party of the year over at Rose Chintz Cottage.

And, if you find yourself in Moncton, New Brunswick, I recommend a visit to Tony’s Bistro and Pâtisserie at 137 McLaughlin Drive.

Happy New Year, everyone!

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Thank you for visiting “the Bistro” today. There are lots of ways to connect with “the Bistro” through social media:

Join My Island Bistro Kitchen on Facebook
Follow the Bistro’s tweets on twitter @PEIBistro
Find the Bistro on Pinterest at “Island Bistro Kitchen”
Follow along on Instagram at “peibistro”

 

 

 

 

Afternoon Teas, General, Winter

Snowflake Afternoon Tea

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For the past few weeks, I have been sharing some of my tablescapes as well as table and afternoon tea settings.  I will share one more afternoon tea setting before I return to my usual food stories and recipes.

What better way to spend a snowy afternoon than having tea with friends.  Living in northeastern Canada, snow is common so I drew my inspiration for this tea from the snowflakes that were gently fluttering and falling outside my window just before the sun came out on this late afternoon.

For this tea, I have opted to host it buffet style and all in a winter white theme accented with gold.

Buffet Afternoon Tea

 

Lots of shortbread accompanied by coconut macaroons and divinity fudge, some made into wee snowballs.

 

Winter White Sweets

A light dusting of confectioner’s sugar gives the illusion of snow on these sugar cookie snowflakes!

Snowflake Sugar Cookies

 

 

 

Dainty French macaroons sandwiched together with buttercream icing are light and airy.  They make a fine addition to any tea table.

 

Eggnog, always a seasonal beverage, goes well with vanilla cupcakes which are decorated with edible snowflakes.

 

 

These cupcakes, frosted with almond buttercream icing and presented in their white and gold snowflake wrappers, were the stars of the afternoon tea!

 

 

 

I love these elegant and delicate gold and white teacups.

 

 

 

Mini white carnations blend well with the winter white setting.

 

 

Dining Room Fireplace Mantle Backdrop for Snowflake Buffet Afternoon Tea

I found these candles at our local Winners store and I knew immediately what they would be used for!  They added glow and ambiance to a late afternoon tea.

Thank you for visiting “the Bistro” today. There are lots of ways to connect with “the Bistro” through social media:

Join My Island Bistro Kitchen on Facebook
Follow the Bistro’s tweets on twitter @PEIBistro
Find the Bistro on Pinterest at “Island Bistro Kitchen”
Follow along on Instagram at “peibistro”

Barbara

Afternoon Teas, General, Winter

Afternoon Tea on a Cold Winter Day

There is just something especially comforting about a warm cup of tea accompanied by fresh currant scones straight out of the oven.  And, of course, it’s made all the better when the tea is served in a china cup and saucer!  Is there anything more relaxing after a busy day than to sit down late in the afternoon and recharge the batteries while enjoying a cup of tea in front of the fireplace!

Afternoon Tea with Currant Scones