What to know
- Movie-theatre favourites get a luxe afternoon tea makeover, from puffed-sorghum popcorn to hot-dog-inspired tartare.
- The sweet course is anything but standard, with Caramel Corn, Maple Bacon Donut, Orange Cream and Churro creations.
- The $108 experience includes premium loose-leaf teas and a complimentary glass of sparkling wine or signature mocktail.
- It’s available Thursdays through Sundays until Sept. 27, making it an easy stop before or after a TIFF screening.
Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) season is about more than just sitting in a theatre for a couple of hours. If you’re looking for a way to break up your screening schedule, Shangri-La Toronto is giving afternoon tea a serious movie makeover.
The hotel’s limited-edition TIFF Afternoon Tea runs through Sept. 27, blending classic cinema night nostalgia with traditional formal tea service.
The menu puts a polished spin on some familiar movie-theatre flavours, and the savoury bites are where the fun really starts. The buttery Popcorn-ette swaps the usual kernels for puffed sorghum, served in a bite-sized crisp cornet. The Movie Play Tartare takes inspiration from a classic hot dog, pairing flank steak with mustard-forward flavours on a soft, buttery brioche. Then there’s the Tostada Sandwich, which channels the cheesy, crunchy appeal of nachos into a more refined bite. And for a little extra swank, the Umami Showstopper brings seabream tartare to the table — definitely more of a luxe take on movie-night snacking.
And what’s afternoon tea without the scones? Shangri-La brings both its signature and peanut butter & pretzel scones to the table, served with Devonshire Cream as well as crab apple and cider jam.
You can also forget your standard tea-time sweets. The dessert lineup takes familiar treats and gives them a TIFF-worthy confectionary upgrade, from the cheddar and corn flavoured Caramel Corn cake and vanilla mascarpone-filled Maple Bacon Donut to a Peanut Madeleine and pumpkin-spiced Churro.
Guests can pair everything with premium loose-leaf teas, from peppermint, to chamomile, to signature black tea, plus a complimentary glass of sparkling wine or a mocktail.
And if tea isn’t quite your thing, the TIFF festivities don’t stop at the teapot. Shangri-La’s Lobby Lounge & Bar is also shaking up seven limited-edition TIFF cocktails, each inspired by the world of filmmaking. Available seperately from the afternoon tea, the lineup includes 24 Karrot, The 20th Take, Caught On Camera, The Afterparty, Feature Film, 35 mm and Unseen Cut.
The experience totals to $108 per person, and is available Thursdays through Sundays from Sept. 3 to 27. The first seating is at noon, while the final seating is at 4 p.m.
So, whether you need a pre-screening pick-me-up, a break between films or simply an excuse to trade the TIFF rush for a table and some tea, this seasonal menu offers a different way to experience the festival!
For more information, visit Shangri-La’s website.
