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| - This is a review about Sugar Tier's high tea.
I have had the privilege to have a lot of high tea, from inexpensive local tea stores to high end boutiques and restaurants such as Ladurée, The Windsor Arms and Neverland Tea Salon.
1. Service
Absolutely terrible. The store was empty, and yet the girl serving us was singularly unhelpful and inattentive. Granted, she was the only storefront staff, but the place was empty. For the time that we were there (approximately 60 minutes), only three patrons came in, all to order from the baked goods. It was NOT busy.
2. Tea.
BAGGED tea that you could get anywhere. Not even a local boutique or better quality brand. The tea case, very much like something bought at Costco, was simply left at our table with no explanation or even conversation.
3. Food
It's pretty much hit and miss. It's mostly savoury offerings, but the major issue is food quality. There is absolutely no way the food provided would be worth anywhere near their asking price ($110 for two, or $55 per person.) Even Ladurée's high tea for two doesn't cost as much as claimed at full price. Much of it was dry and old. The sweets cater to an Asian pallet; flavors tend to be extremely subtle and the creams very light (read as "bland.") The presentation was adequate: a three tiered tray.
4. Experience
The atmosphere... You are sitting right by the front door of the store where there are patrons coming in and going out. The space is somewhat cramped. There is little to recommend for ambience.
Anecdote
DO NOT BE FOOLED BY THEIR GROUPON. $45 is their REGULAR PRICE. There is absolutely nothing to justify their claimed full price of $110.
Conclusion
If you are remotely a foody, avoid this place and save your money for a real high tea experience. This... establishment is a trap for the ignorant and uninitiated.
Note: when we asked why the Groupon price was advertised as the regular price in shop, they explained it was due to people not being able to purchase the Groupon and complaining about the regular price. I'm sorry, but the Groupon has been constant, unlike good high tea places like Shangrila, Windsor Arms and Tea Buds (local to the GTA), which restrict purchases and are not always offered. Their explanation is bogus regardless of what the owners or staff believe.
Disclaimer: we had purchased the Groupon.
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