High Tea Bakery, located out on Portage Avenue by Deer Lodge Centre, is one of those places whose product I have tasted on a few occasions, but I’ve never visited the location itself. The most surprising part of that, is that High Tea was for it’s first few years located in the building that now houses Jonnie’s Sticky Buns. No more than about 10 block from where I lived.
In the past High Tea was supplying cookies to Make Coffee + Stuff. I’ve also tried their products at a couple of food events. Having said that, one item that won’t be featuring in this review is their Imperial Cookie.
The Imperial Cookie is their signature cookie, and I’ve tried it more than once in the past. It has a good bite, that is followed by a moist chew, with a tasty jam filling. The icing is not overly sweet, and there’s a nice little bit of cherry on top. If you are a fan of Imperial cookies, the High Tea Bakery one is definitely where to start.
Late afternoon High Tea Visit
High Tea is located in a small, square storefront. The outside has been painted a dark grey, and there are a couple of table outside if you wish to sit and enjoy the weather. My first visit was on a very hot Saturday, and so I ventured inside. As you enter the store is split into the left section, where the dessert and teas to make your beverage are displayed, along with the service counter. On the right side are a couple of tables and a counter with stools. along the walls are a wide range of teas for taking to make at home, along with some other odds and ends such as pure vanilla extract and orange blossom water.
the split between the two sections is made by a staircase that takes you to the upper section of the shop(more of that on my second visit).
High Tea is a family run business, and you really get a sense of family warmth and welcome when you come to the shop. I got a feeling of being welcomed into a family’s home as much as being a customer in their business. The staff is all very genuine and kind along with being well-informed and providing great service.
As I approached the counter and started to look around at the treats on offer, I noticed that most of them were in the $1.00-$2.00 range. As I mentioned in my post on Pastry Castle, I like the fact that I can get a cup of coffee or tea and a little treat for around $5.00. However, on this visit, that certainly wasn’t the case.
Given the low price of each individual treat, I figured I would try three of them. I chose a butter tart, a scone, and a chewy raisin oatmeal cookie.
The butter tart was fantastic. Definitely the best butter tart I’ve tried. The filling was nice and sweet, but what set this tart apart was the pastry. It was both crispy and crunchy with a light texture. The scone was also very light, and really moist. Much like the butter tart, I would also classify the oatmeal raisin cookie as the best that I can remember eating. It was again moist and really chewy as well.
Repeat visit
On my second visit to High Tea, the weather was even hotter. So, I decided to try one of their cold beverages to go along with a sweet treat. My cookie choices were the lavender shortbread and the snickerdoodle. Again, both of the cookies were very moist, but still managed to maintain a good firmness to them when I sunk my teeth in for the first bite.
My beverage was a summer special that was listed on a small board on the counter. I forgot to write down the name, but this was a very refreshing summer special. Much more pleasant than any of the iced teas I’ve had, and less sugary than most, so it was also very thirst quenching.
This time around I decided that I would take the stairs and see what it was like at the top of the shop. Upstairs there is a mix of tables, including one with two large, wingback chairs that give you the feeling of being in an old English style club. As well, if you sit upstairs you get a view over Portage avenue, giving you a different way to appreciate the street. The upstairs also contains a couple of display models of wedding cakes, another aspect of High Tea’s business.
Tea for Three and Three for Tea
Having paid my usual two visits, I was going to write the bakery up, when it suddenly hit me. The place is named High Tea bakery, I should at leas give the tea one try. Since the first two visits had been so enjoyable I figured the third would be as well, and I was right.
As I was standing at the counter wondering what I should order with my tea, and I noticed something called a Lamington. I’ve never tried one, but I had noticed the dessert popping up in my WordPress reader feed. Lamingtons are from Australia, and consist of sponge cake, dipped in chocolate, and covered with dessicated coconut.
The initial bite gave a feeling similar to biting into a coconut covered marshmallow, but ends with moistness of the sponge cake rather than the gooey marshmallow feeling. The cake is exceptionally light in texture. This is definitely something I want to try again.
For my tea, I went with a white tea. This is a very light tea. Even after steeping the flavour doesn’t overwhelm. It made a great complement to the Lamington. High Tea Bakery is definitely a place you should visit. If you live in the area, I would even say you should visit it regularly. The space is charming, the staff is warm and caring, and finally the food and drink is outstanding.
I have always wanted to try a butter tart. They aren’t too common here in the states.
It is funny that butter tarts don’t seem to cross the border!
It may be because Pecan pie is more popular in the United States.
They are kind of similar.
I want to try the lavender shortbread and snickerdoodle. Great post! 😊
The lavender shortbread was really good. Glad you enjoyed the post.
Another great review! Just an FYI I have nominated you for the Blogger Recognition Award! Have an awesome day/night!
Thank you for the nomination, however I don’t participate in blogger awards. Still very much appreciate your continued readership.
No worries. Hope you have a blessed day/night!
I love high tea. This looks like a great place.
It’s nice and cozy. Good place for tea with friends and loved ones.
The treats look very enticing!
Virtual hugs,
Judie
Thank you, hope all is well with you.
I think I gain weight with each of your posts!
Well, I do try to make my posts substantial. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Whenever I come back to England I find the prices off the wall. Only 1 pound. Amazing.
The cheaper ones are $1.00 Canadian, so given the exchange, it’s about .59 pound sterling. Thanks for the comment.
We live in the states, but our pensions come from England. The exchange rate is killing us right now at $1.29 to the pound.
That’s unfortunate, and with Brexit approaching I suppose it may even get worse for you. Hoping things work out well for you.
I really hope not. We have been leaving on 2/3rd of our income, before it passed.
Well. hopefully it works out well.
Thank you
Looks good
Thank you very much.
I was intrigued with your inclusion of the lamington. I’m from New Zealand and chocolate lamingtons have been a favourite treat of mine since I was a kid. I like them chilled, straight out of the fridge. “Exceptionally light in texture” is how they should be. There’s an old-fashioned cafe in the town where I live and they do them just right, just how I remember them from years ago.
Thanks for stopping by. It’s good to hear from someone who knows the treat from the source. Chilled sounds like a great way to try them.
Great post!
Thanks. Glad you liked it.
If I ever go to High Tea, I will definitely order the lavender shortbread!
It’s worth the trip.
I feel like heading there right now… would love to try an high tea made in USA! hélas is a bit far away from here !
Thanks for the comment. If you look it up on the internet, you could probably create a high tea for you and your friends.
Thanks! Will do!
I’m very intrigued by the lavender shortbread! Great post!
The lavender isn’t overly strong, but it gives a nice, slight floral taste to the cookie. Thanks for commenting.
Great photos and description.
Tea and it’s accompaniments are my favourite kind of meal.
From your description that seems a place I would love to visit.
Thanks for the comment and compliment. It’s a lovely, relaxing spot for a bit of tea.
despicabletea.wordpress.com
My favorite cookie with tea? Pignoli nut! An almond, soft, macaroon-like cookie with pignoli (in Italian bakeries – pine nut in others) nuts! When I saw your pictures I could taste this delicacy from my memories.
Thanks for the like at DailyBiblePrayer. May God use any stresses in your life to make beautiful music of them! God bless your day
Laura
Ok I’m off to the local bakery….
Enjoy.
Sounds like my kind of place. The treats sound amazing!
Thanks. the best part is they are cheap enough that you can try two or three at a time without emptying your wallet.
I have never had a butter tart . Never seen one here in the States sounds so yummy . I love snickerdoodle . That cake is so beautiful!!
Thanks for the comment. Butter Tarts alone make Canada a worthwhile place to visit.
Oh I defiantly need to get my passport and go.