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Close your eyes, think about one of your favorite children’s book that you read as a child. Are you smiling, did it bring back happy memories of a time once upon. One of my favorite books as a child is “Alice in Wonderland” it’s such an amazing story for your imagination to explore. With the Shaw Festival presenting this wonderful childhood fairytale in Niagara-on-the-Lake, the Prince of Wales Hotel went down the rabbit hole and transformed their tea room into this 1865 children’s book.

Just a year before Alice in Wonderland came to life the Prince of Wales Hotel had been entertaining guests since 1864, this historic hotel is full of Victorian elegance. The Prince of Wales Hotel prides itself on the experience of staying and dining in this historic landmark of beauty. With Alice in town, the experience became much more magical. As you enter the Prince of Wales Hotel you are greeted by two fine dressed doormen, they open the giant mahogany glass doors, and with a warm welcome, you have already started your journey to find out what that rabbit was in such a hurry for. The Tea Room is filled with signs of  This Way! That Way! Tea Party! & filled with many decorations of playing cards, potions, the letter A, and it’s beautiful elegant Victorian tea room is a site to see.

We sit down and are welcomed by two tall glasses of champagne and strawberries. Crisp white linens, teapots, tea cups, silver cutlery, & Oh My! The Queen of Hearts & that Wild Rabbit who is claiming he’s late for something are all running around serving tea. The staff’s costumes for this Alice in Wonderland event were very festive. We missed Alice she must have been hanging out with that crazy Caterpillar. Being served by the Queen of Hearts was a treat indeed, serving us our choice of the Mad Hatter Tea, a fair trade Sloane tea which is a brew of creamy velvet-black tea. What’s a Wonderland tea party without Mad Hatter Tea!

Our table was then graced with delicate edible crystallized rose petals, like something out of the book. I take a bite and the floral essence of these tiny crystal edible rose petals, that are hitting my tongue are exhilarating. As I sit sipping my Mad Hatter Tea, I zone out just listening to all the sounds of the tea room, the different tea cups on each table, the chatter of Alice in Wonderland phrases, and the expression on patrons faces as their tea trivet of cucumber and cream cheese pin wheel sandwiches, smoked turkey and cranberry mayo sandwiches, fluffy aged cheddar & broccoli Quiche, buttery French croissants, and delicate little petit fours arrive at the table.

The Queen of Hearts cake pops were full of rich moist red velvet cake, covered in a luscious chocolate, and drizzled with red chocolate swirl. Spiced carrot cakes with a cream cheese topping dressed with edible bunny ears were full of flavor, & teapot sugar cookies were a crowd pleaser with the kids. The berry tarts were packed with tangy and sweet delight, with the lightest meringue I have ever tasted in my life. I really thought the key lime cheesecakes with the fondant ace card on top was a genius thought, very intricate work for each one, but “wow” what an impression it made. From the tiny signs on the cakes labeled “EAT ME” to the “EDIBLE” rabbit ears on the spice cakes.

One bite of my Key Lime cheesecake and I was larger than life. One sip of my Mad Hatter Tea and I was brought back to size. My favourite treat was the Signature Prince of Wales Hotel Homemade Scones made with Jasmine Tea Infused Sultan Raisins. These light and fluffy scones are scrumptious, and as you separate your scone in half, you can smell the raisins, and jasmine tea it’s a well-deserved treat, that put a Cheshire smile on my face. Your trivet of delectables are gorgeous to just look at, but when your scone comes accompanied with Strawberry Jam, Devonshire Cream, & Butter you know you are at High Tea. The Prince of Wales Hotel Chef and kitchen staff make everything in-house with the greatest of prestige involved.

This is one hotel that is living up to the stature it has been raised with. To take a chapter from an aged children’s book and bring it back to life for generations of old and new is brilliant. From a book 152 years of age to a hotel of 151 years of age. It just shows age makes no difference. There is a place. Like no place on Earth. A land full of Wonder, Mystery, & Danger! Some say to survive it, you need to be as Mad as a Hatter. Which luckily I am. I found myself in WONDERLAND!

“QUOTES FROM ALICE IN WONDERLAND.”

Thank you to the wonderful staff at The Prince of Wales Hotel.

Prince of Wales Hotel

P.O Box 46

6 Picton St.

Niagara-on-the-Lake

Ontario, Canada LoS 1J0

905-468-1362

www.vintage-hotels.com

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Melinda Paletta

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