Vancouver Island: Tea time at the Empress

I have always been a little bit fascinated with royalty. As a small fairy, I would slip into their gardens and sitting rooms to determine how they dressed, what they were talking about, and especially what they ate and drank. It is therefore no surprise that when I discovered the Fairmont Empress Hotel in Victoria, Canada, served high tea to anyone who was appropriately dressed and could afford the experience, I couldn’t wait to get there.

The Empress has served Afternoon Tea for over 105 years but with the massive fire in downtown Victoria in 1910 and the start of the Great War in 1914, we of the Nether World decided to stay away from the Earth Realm for a time.  And then I just got busy.  You know how it is; life happens.

This August, I finally got to go and I was not disappointed. The hotel is filled with beautiful furnishings and décor from the Victorian and Edwardian eras. Table cloths and napkins are crisp and white. The china is produced exclusively for the Empress Hotel and was first used in 1939 on the occasion of a visit from King George VI and Queen Elizabeth of England.  Silver teapots, trays, cream pitchers, and sugar bowls are used to pour tea. A piano player tickles the ivories in the background.  I do not see this kind of elegance very often today and it was like I had actually walked into the past.

My companions and I were taken to our table and seated. Our server provided us with the carte du jour listing the delicacies we would be served. We had a choice of teas and my companions opted for the Empress Blend. I chose the Madame Butterfly Jasmine loose leaf tea. Tea was brewed at the table and poured by the server. My tea was a blend of jasmine and green tea from Fuijan province in China. The tea’s aroma reminded me of being in an oriental temple surrounded by trees, little streams, and mountains. How heavenly and serene!

To start, we were served a dish of fresh blueberries with Empress Cream. Empress Cream seems to be a cross between whipped cream and Devonshire cream. I made myself take the time to savor each spoonful. Next came a tiered tray with finger sandwiches, scones, and pastries. My companions are not vegetarians and their sandwiches included smoked salmon with dill cream cheese, honey ham with Dijon mustard, egg salad, Moroccan spiced chicken, cucumber and ginger. Where their sandwiches included meat, the chef replaced the selections to accommodate me.  I got a carrot sandwich, an eggplant with curry, and a tomato. Each sandwich was made with a different kind of bread: croissant, butter brioche, marble rye, and more.  Next came scones with Empress Cream and strawberry preserves. And last, but not least the pastries: chocolate cup with berry mousse, pistachio cream tart, rose petal shortbread and at least two other offerings. We had more food than we could eat. Our server graciously boxed up the extras and also presented us with a souvenir package of Empress Blend tea. What a lovely surprise.

The Afternoon Tea is rather costly but it is a wondrous and unique experience. I recommend you allow a lot of time to fully enjoy the tea and to tour the flower gardens outside. Extraordinary! Don’t you deserve to be an Emperor or Empress for at least one afternoon?

 

.
 

The Oracle's Adventures on Vancouver Island; Supper at the Shipyard

My favorite spots in this world are a beautiful cool forest where I can listen to the music of a waterfall or a warm meadow filled with the scent of wild flowers. Both remind me of the Nether World and I seek them out when I get homesick. Another thing that helps is to seek out someone actually from the Nether World to spend time with.

Do you remember my mermaid friend Odessa? I first met her 10 years ago when I was vacationing in Cuba. She was on the beach collecting sea shells as I was swimming in the ocean.  Something drew me to her but when I got near I accidentally splashed some water on her leg. She immediately became anxious because scales began to appear where the water had touched her skin.  I offered her my beach towel and reassured her by advising that I too was a mystic. She was the first actual mystic I met when I crossed over to this realm. We have been in contact ever since but do not get to see each other as much as we would like.

Odessa is extremely talented. She not only collects sea shells but makes jewellery from these shells and other natural objects she collects on her journeys. She is quite the traveller and never stays put in one place very long.

During my recent holiday on Vancouver Island, we were able to get together because Odessa has moved to Tofino and she made a special effort to come see me.  “The Shipyard” is a little place in the Maple Bay Marina and Odessa suggested we meet there. The restaurant is right on the water and surrounded by ships and boats of all sizes and descriptions.  The menu is a true pescatarian’s dream. Sounds like a good mermaid’s hangout right? It is Odessa’s favorite restaurant and she comes often.

I do want to warn my fellow vegetarians that our choices are limited. I did manage to score a nice pasta with a mixture of herbs and rose sauce that was fresh, rich, and satisfying. Odessa ordered the oysters, shrimp skewers, and double coleslaw. I could tell that she loved it as she ate the whole dinner in about five minutes without stopping to talk or even take breath. We ordered a bottle of white wine that had a fresh crisp citrus flavor and complemented both our meals. The wine was appropriately named “The Beach House”. Good food, good wine, and good friends eventually leads to good conversation.

We caught up on what each of us has been doing. I told Odessa about this blog. Odessa says hello. She told me about the challenges of operating her business. I suggested she consider starting her own website to increase sales and leave more time for the actual production. She was hesitant and thought it would be too much trouble and difficult to manage. I know what you are thinking. All she needs is a picture of herself, a laptop, and an internet connection. But I know Odessa well enough to know that it really isn’t about the amount of work involved. Odessa hates getting her picture taken.  She thinks she has “no good side”. But the truth is she is a little bit afraid of items that cannot get wet. This includes cell phones and lap tops. Odessa is of the siren persuasion and her life revolves around water. It is her favorite place to be and if she can’t make a splash, she is going to dash. I guess we all have our quirks and it is best that we respect all our differences.

I need to be near a forest or a meadow to feel at home. Odessa needs the water. We need each other. What makes you feel at home? Who makes you feel at home?

  

East side Marios

East Side Mario's is a popular Italian chain restaurant that originated in New York.  It is popular for a reason.  I find some of the finest fairy food there.  Don't worry there are all kinds of foods fit for sirens, shape-shifters, elves, etc.  Vampires on the other hand, will have a tougher time.  It's the kind of food that you vampires have when you are dieting.  So for you lot, I recommend a virgin caesar with no salt.  I know you all like to slurp clams when you want to lose weight.  Or there is always the steak dish with the steak rare and extra bloody but you might raise some eyebrows.  That's never a good thing.

I always order the stuffed mushrooms, garden salad and the tomato garlic soup.  With this meal, I step back into the enchanted woods and eat something magical.  It is easy to miss a home cooked meal especially in this world.  Luckily, you will be able to find meals or make meals in this world that have the same effect. 

After all that, if you are still hungry for something sweet, go for the mini mousse cake.  It is the perfect size after a huge meal.  This small rich decadent dessert looks like a small pixie top hat.  It's almost a shame to eat it except get real!  It is made of chocolate and we of the fey are all addicted to chocolate.  One bite of this little cake launches you into ecstasy and you will not disappointed.  Like I said, the finest fairy food you can find. 

Their slogan is very appropriate for them.  Bada-Bing-Bada-Boom!  It almost like they can open a portal into our world and summon up dishes from the "Black Dragon's Pub."  Oh I miss that pub.  The food is excellent at the pub and also at East Side Mario's.  So check it out.  It's a home away from home. 

Le Villa

Sometimes you want to treat yourself and the ones you love to a place that is romantic, elegant and comfortable.  Such a place is Le Villa, a small little Italian place that resides on Sirocco Drive in the Southwest of Calgary.  It's homey but classy atmosphere is perfect for any kind customer no matter what you are looking to eat.

Although this place is quite expensive, you get more than what you pay for.  The food is beyond excellent.  It is prepared for you in a way that looks like a work of art and when you take that first bite, it is true poetry.

In this place with this food , You have a dreamy experience of herbs and spices melding together in a symphony of pasta and cheeses.  I am speaking of the Lemon and Ricotta Ravioli.  That is what I had, along with some roasted asparagus as a side.  All of it was very flavorful and very yummy .  You will notice that I had asked for tomato sauce.  It doesn't come with the tomato sauce but It is my

preference.  The staff was more than happy to accommodate my tastes.

My two companions that came with me had the risotto with the scampi and the halibut with potatoes and vegetables.  They both assured me that it was the best meal that they have had in a long time.  To them it tasted as good as it looked and it made them feel wonderful afterwards.

This is true kitchen magic .  The great thing is that the serving size of these meals is just right.  After the main course you felt very comfortable and lucky enough to save room for dessert.  Believe me, you want the dessert.

We had the chocolate mousse tower.  It was a brilliant finish of an already exceptional meal.  Sweet but not too sweet, rich and moist but not runny and of course every fey person's favorite, loaded with chocolate and cream.

The staff were very helpful and well-informed.  They give you sincere recommendations with a nice smile.  Suggestions such as what wine goes with what dish.  Also they go out of their way to make sure that you have a great experience in this restaurant.  You got a love that folks.

So like I said if you want a memorable experience where the food is wonderful and the ambiance is blissful then come to Le Villa.  The warm and friendly staff will greet you with smiles and have you leaving in the best of spirits.  

Everything earls

Feel like a nice dinner?  Go to earls.  This is one of those places where you don't know what you want but you want something tasty.  Suffice to say,  I come here a lot and this is why:

A virgin margarita (strawberry flavoured is what this one is), a nice little salad that has fruit, veggies, cheese and nuts.  Then the main course of Mediterranean linguine that finishes your taste palate with a kick.  The food here is very good and there are all these options.  I often have trouble deciding what I want.  (It's very rare for a vegetarian to have so many options).  There is a nice margerita pizza, some good soup choices from time to time and my current craving the three cheese spinach dip.  The only thing I'll say is that the dessert here is often a hit-or-miss.  I had this lovely cream cheese shortbread with berries that I wish I had the recipe for.

The service is impeccable and friendly.  They give you what you want fast and with a smile which is a sign of a good place.   It's really Nice to get food fast and not call it fast food.  The people will take care  of you too.  If there is a problem with your food, they'll take it back and make it the way you want it. No extra charge.  

Really wonderful place.  Everything I've tried I liked so if you're wanting some good food, at a reasonable price in a nice place go to earls.  Enjoy!