Dining Out: Mother's Day Afternoon Tea at Essence of Unionville

Took my mom out for afternoon tea at Essence of Unionville, because what says Mother's Day like three tiers of carbs?

Afternoon Tea: Tea Sandwiches

To start, a pot of Sloane's Heavenly Cream tea, and a selection of five sandwiches each. My choices: 

• English Cucumber with Ricotta & Dill Spread on Tomato Brioche
• Free Range Egg Salad with English Mustard and Tarragon on a Butter Croissant
• Smoked Salmon with Citrus Cream Cheese, Capers, and Dill on a Mini Bagel
• Ontario Curry Chicken with Raisins on Pain au Lait Bread
• Quiche Lorraine with Smoked Bacon and Fresh Herbs in a Puff Pastry

Afternoon Tea: Three-Tiered Silver Stand

Afternoon Tea: Homemade Raisin Scones

Second course: Classic homemade raisin scones with strawberry jam and mascarpone cream. Pretty good, especially with the slightly crisped sugar crystals on top, but would've been better warmed and served with traditional clotted cream.

Afternoon Tea: Sweets and Pastries

Third course, a selection of desserts:

• Chocolate Éclair
• Blackberry Fruit Tart
• Panna Cotta with Strawberries
• Opera Cake 
• Almond Madeleine

My favourites included the Ontario curry chicken, the Quiche Lorraine, plus the chocolate éclair, which was filled with a delightful mocha cream, and the fruit tart, which was topped with fresh blackberries. The portions look deceivingly small, but both my mom and I were getting really full by the time we got to dessert, to the point where we actually had to doggy-bag half of the desserts. Presentation was lovely and service was attentive but not overbearing. Overall, I thought it was worth the $35 price tag. Plus, mom really enjoyed it, which is what counts at the end of the day.

Essence of Unionville

Hilton Suites

8500 Warden Ave.

Markham, ON L6G 1A5

(905) 470-8500