travel bite: Zoe’s in the Fairmont Chateau Laurier

August 7, 2023

Zoe’s is located in the grand Fairmont Chateau Laurier, an opulent 660,000 square foot hotel completed in 1912. Constructed next to and in the style of Centre Block, the seat of Canada’s government, it once served Ottawa’s Union Station. Those days are gone, but the hotel continues with travelers from all over the world. Sometimes those travelers stay the night and sometimes they just drop in for tea. 

High tea at Zoe’s is an Ottawa tradition. It is offered everyday from 11:00 – 3:30. For $73 Canadian, about $55 American, you get a large pot of tea, with a tower of sweet and savory treats. There are twenty-one teas to choose from. They are part of the LOT 35 collection specially crafted for Fairmont Hotels. I selected the maple cream tea, which felt appropriate for Canada. It was delicious, slightly sweet with good maple flavor.  I ended up buying a tin to take home. 

The tea tower is three levels high. While the menu is fixed, they do allow for substitutions for allergies or even taste preferences. The first level is scones, one blueberry, one original. They are best enjoyed with mascarpone and jam. Above the scones are the savory tea sandwiches. My favorite was the crab salad on a light flakey croissant, but all of them were very good. 

Finally the top layer is the dessert plate. On my visit this consisted of: Coffee, Hazelnut, and Blueberry Choux; Blackcurrant and Poppy Seed Tartlet, Lemon Meringue; Milk Chocolate, Earl Grey and Coconut Sponge Cake; and Pistachio and Apricot Macaroon. Of these, my favorite was the macaroon. 

If you are bringing a little one, as I was, they have a prince/princess tea for about half the cost with hot chocolate, one jam and one ham and cheese sandwich shaped like whales (not sure why), scones, fruit, and desserts. 

I left very full, but before I did, I capped off the afternoon with a cocktail, a French 75. They also have mimosas, bellinis, and a section of sparkling wines. 

I thought that would be the end of my Zoe’s experience, but we ended up getting hungry again around 10:00. Zoe’s kitchen is open until 10:45 and their bar is open until midnight on Saturday, so we ended up back there for a late night bite. We got the beef tartare which was served simply with crostini. It was pleasantly a little spicy, we think because of the dijon mustard. 

I also tried a new gin, ungava, a bright yellow gin from Quebec. My wife had the Jungle Fire, a tiki drink which already comes on fire, but then they sprinkle cinnamon on it to create fireworks.    After my gin, I ordered The Statesman, a whiskey cocktail that is delivered in a sealed box filled with cedar smoke. After letting the smoke “marinade” the drink, you open the the door yourself, letting out a could. It’s a fun way to end an evening. 

The service was very friendly throughout the day. At tea, our waiter quickly offered to take a photo of our table. He also let us know there were fireworks that evening, a greatly appreciated tip. Our waitress at night was similarly friendly and helpful when I suggested I wanted to find the maple cream tea. I strongly suggest that even if you aren’t staying at the Château Laurier, you take a trip to Zoe’s. 

For more see our travel bites page.