Tea is for Mom

Every little girl loves a tea party—and admit it, so do you, especially if someone else is doing the brewing.
So here’s a Mother’s Day game plan for you. Instead of waiting for the kids to surprise you with lukewarm coffee and a pickle-and-ketchup sandwich in bed, get them out of the kitchen and take them to tea. (Your own mom or mother–in–law might like this plan too.)

There’s nothing like tea served in delicate cups and saucers with old-fashioned accompaniments like scones, jam and Devonshire cream to give you that rare pampered feeling. Dress up Jack and Jill in their best duds and your beloved in a pair of pants containing his wallet, and sally forth.

The Billings Estate National Historic Site on Cabot Street is offering a Victorian tea service and special tours this Mother’s Day from 11 am to 4 pm. This is opening day for the museum, so take the opportunity to explore Ottawa’s oldest wood-framed house and learn more about the four generations of people who lived and worked here. The estate was home to one of Ottawa’s founding families, and was at the centre of the evolution of the surrounding village. (There is a family rate of $10.50 for admission, and kids under five are free. Tea is extra.)

If you don’t need a museum with your tea, make a reservation at Zoé’s Lounge in the Fairmont Château Laurier Hotel downtown, which serves traditional Afternoon Tea, Canadian High Tea, Champagne Tea and even a Little Prince and Princess Tea. Tea is served from noon until 5 pm on Sundays, and reservations are required. The Afternoon Tea and Little Prince and Princess Tea menus are similar, offering the requisite dainty finger sandwiches, fruit tartelettes, scones, Devonshire cream, strawberry jam and choice of tea, as well as other yummies.