The list of teas is extensive, 229 to be exact, beginning with a black tea from Cameroon in Africa and ending with a Raspberry Leaf medicinal tea. The menu describes the latter as such: "said to be a digestive and great for preparation for child birth." Who knew?
If you're not worried about spoiling your dinner, the thing to order is the Afternoon Tea. Of course this includes one of those aforementioned rich scones, as well as your choice of teas. Four different finger sandwiches are also part of the package. There's luscious smoked salmon, served open face on pumpernickel bread; chicken breast with sweet lingonberries (a twist on turkey with cranberry sauce); watercress with cream cheese and black olive spread; and lastly, egg salad. Instead of the usual picnic style, this one is made with tea smoked eggs. It's an intriguing take on the classic.
The coup de grâce on the three-tiered service is the Chado cream and fruit. It may sound good for you, but it is pure naughtiness: a rich blend of cool sour cream, whipping cream, lemon, sugar and vanilla topped with fresh fruit, typically berries. There is also a small cookie and a piece of cake.
Chado is an excellent place to chill out with a good novel or catch up with an old friend. The servers are friendly and attentive. And unlike some of the hotels that serve afternoon tea, there's not a spoonful of snobbery in the place.
Chado also sells their teas to go, in the compact retail store annexed to the tea room.
-- Leslee Komaiko