High Tea in Vancouver

[lunchslut]

I am approaching a significant birthday and wanted to have an excuse to invite good female friends from the past for a civilized reunion of sorts. One of the venues I was considering was high tea at Hotel Vancouver or Secret Garden. The menus look appealing but I was wondering about the bang for the buck. What are your experiences with these teas and would I leave my friends put out for the money they spent on them? I am also open to any other suggestions

[acbrooks]

i booked the secret garden tea company for my now sister in law's bridal shower...the place is cute, but we were disappointed with the food and value.
we were told a reservation for 20 people would require ordering the 25.95 tea for everyone; it seemed a little pricey, but it we were running out of time so we booked it. their menu sounded good; they had quite a few yummy sounding sandwiches and pastries on the pamphlet they gave us. however, the selection we got was awful. the only sandwiches we got were tuna, and some white bread wrapped around an olive (the vegetarian option) and only 2-3 different kinds of mediocre pastries. it just seemed like the stuck the easiest, cheapest items on our trays. we were also told there would be 19 items per person; there was no where near that.
the tea was good, but they mixed up which tea belonged to which person and we all just ended up drinking whatever we got.
also, we booked the back section for 4 pm, and arrived about 5 minutes early, but the previous party was still there. we had to wait awkwardly in the front for about 15 minutes and the staff was rather snarky.
i thought the service and quality of food for a shower that cost almost $600 was terrible...if i could do it over again i would have tried the hotel vancouver.

[berga_mot]

having had the tea service both at bacchus and hotel van, the experience at hotel van was the best. the service definitely outshone that of bacchus - when my fellow 'totaller' suddeny realized afternoon tea treats might not be the perfect situation for her celiac(!) the server spoke to the chef who immediately, on the spot, created a delicious tray of options just for her. the setting was comfortable and luxurious and cozy.
The afternoon at bacchus was just less positive - we were crowded around a makeshift ill-situated table, actually, (we had reserved well in advance) and the server's attitude seemed like he'd be much happier catering to the cocktail crowd. bacchus is usually cozy, opulent and relaxing, but not, perhaps, if replacing the champagne flute with a teacup:)

[selena03]

I have had the high tea at Hotel Vancouver and it was good but I liked high tea at Bacchus in the Wedgewood much better. I believe Shangri-la also has a high tea-I think they would do a pretty good one too. I have never heard of Secret Garden and am going to look it up now...I am a big fan of high tea.

I have also had the tea at Provence-not for my tastes and I didn't think it was worth the price for the miniscule portions you get with the tea....

[waver]

I've been curious about Provence's tea. Good to know.

I quite like Secret Garden. Its a little OTT and not cheap but the tower of sandwiches is pretty fun. Last time I was there a couple of Japanese girls (20 yrs old?) all decked out in their Anne of Green Gables finery were having a tea party with their dolls.

However, I would guess Hotel Van or Wedgewood would be good too and maybe better if you have a larger group in mind.

[willow72]

I have been for high tea at the Secret garden many times-it's quaint and sweet and yummy. It's pretty "girlie" so choose your lunch companions carefully.