Enjoying high tea at Hy-Tea

Any glimmer of November sunshine seems like a good excuse for a walk, so earlier this week I headed down to the foot of Liverpool Road in Pickering for a short jaunt along the Waterfront Trail.  A few sailboats remained in harbour while a lone fisherman tried his luck in Frenchman’s Bay. After a brisk stroll along the boardwalk, I was looking for a nice spot to warm up when I noticed the friendly-looking teacup on this sign.

Not just any cuppa, Hy-Tea offers a delightful high tea (as well as lunch an dinner). I found a cozy sofa in the window and studied a list of more than two dozen teas—Monk Blend, Masala Chai and Matcha among them—before ordering  a pot of Nonesuch “One of the nicest teas with a pronounced orange blossom-like flavor,” according to the menu.

The plate of crustless  cucumber sandwiches, fruit, four cheeses, crackers, scone and jam was an afternoon feast that made me think I should have walked a little further. With a stack of books and magazines at hand, I could have spent the entire afternoon here. Thanks to the tearoom’s wireless internet service, I might just do that in future.

After a successful career as a professional financial advisor, Hy (short for Hyacinth) Niles opened the café three years ago to follow her passion and be close to the lakefront she so loves. Now she runs it with her son Kirk who prepares the food – everything from the tearoom’s acclaimed rasta pasta and crab melt sandwiches to delicious buttermilk scones.

“I grew up in Jamaica drinking tea,” said Hy, “it always seems appropriate.” Well, I’d have to agree, especially when it’s served in surroundings as pretty as these. Blue and yellow walls fit the lakefront setting. Shelves of pretty teacups and teapots flank the fireplace. With only 24 seats inside and another 10 outside on the patio in summer, the space is cozy and charming. No wonder it is becoming such a popular spot for showers and private parties.