Afternoon Tea at Butchart Gardens

The #1 goal of visiting Butchart Gardens last week was just this view.

It is Mrs. Butchart's private gardens as viewed from the restaurant

where we had afternoon tea.

Inside the garden room fully surrounded by windows

with views such as this.  It was a total delight.

Can you believe that teapot was just for me and I couldn't finish it.

I had their 100th Anniversary, "a light black tea blend of Darjeeling,

Black Hunan and gunpowder."

They offered to put the rest in a to-go cup when we left.

The first course was a berry trifle of vanilla sponge cake, chantilly cream,

and mixed berry compote.

The three tiered server for two people, beautiful!

Their signature candied ginger scones were freshly from the oven

served with strawberry jam, whipped vanilla Devon-style cream.

Then there was dessert.  We took this back to our B&B and

had it with our evening meal.

Chocolate brandy Napoleon, Orange poppy seed loaf, French macaron,

Battenberg cake, and Chocolate Irish cream truffle in the box.

Ohhhh, the savories are my favorite.

Locally smoked wild B.C. salmon with whole grain mustard cream cheese,

Egg salad with watercress, Maple glazed smoked ham salad on a cheddar scone,

Cowichan Valley chicken salad with curry and toasted cashews,

English cucumber with fresh ginger cream cheese,

House made sausage roll with German mustard, and

Roasted vegetable quiche.

Can you tell I have the menu right in front of me so I could tell you

exactly what was on the plate.

This, my live-in gardener and I decided had to be at the top of our list

of favorite places to have afternoon tea.

Reservations highly recommended.

Linking to Bernideen at http://blog.bernideens.com/