If you find yourself in the middle of the Canadian prairies and are homesick for some British fare, head to the Vintage Tea Room and Purveyor of British Goods in Regina, Saskatchewan. I have been to this establishment a number of times over the years whenever I get a hankering for some homemade tastes of Britain. My most recent trip with another expat was for lunch. We both had the salmon sandwich with cream of tomato soup for $11.25 each. The sandwiches were big, served simply with lettuce, and the soup was delicious, especially on a cold winter’s day. We pushed the boat out and had dessert as well: carrot cake with cream cheese icing and apple crumble at $5.00 each.
I have also been here a few times for afternoon tea which you have to book ahead of time. There is more than enough to eat with the Victorian Tea or Royal Tea ($17 or $22) and everything is delicious. The only difference I could see between the two is that the Royal tea is served with a silver tea service. The tea consists of a selection of sandwiches, cakes and scones with clotted cream and jam. Each person can have whichever tea they want from an extensive list. All tea is served, loose leaf, in a tea pot with a tea cozy and, of course, a strainer.
They also sell a variety of British foods for those who want to take a taste home. The prices are outrageous given what they cost in Britain, but they generally are at any of the British food shops in Canada.
405 Broad Street,
Regina, Saskatchewan
S4R 1X4, Canada
306-205-5832
