Folks in Toronto looking to get festive this holiday season should slip, strut or skip into the city’s most luxurious living room. Perched over University Avenue, the Lobby Lounge at the Shangri-La Toronto transforms the heart of even the most serious Scrooge into a enthusiastic Christmas caroller. The open concept space features a decked out Christmas Tree, booming fireplace, a parade of haute couture mannequins, and pianist who gently tickles the ivories.
If you’re looking to indulge in a festive outing in the city with family and friends start things off by plopping yourself down by a booming fire in the Lobby Lounge where every afternoon expert tea sommeliers pour piping hot pots. Each December the Shangri-La offers a special festive Nutcracker High Tea, an homage to the celebrated ballet which takes place each holiday season, a stones throw across the street at the Four Seasons Centre.
Guests select from a list of Shangri-La festive teas which are blended in house including faves such as Apple Orange Crumble, Rose Ginger Sencha and Om Chai Mint. If you’re looking to give your celebration a pop order a flute of Veuve Cliquot from the hotel’s jaw-dropping floor to ceiling champagne library.
Smiling servers present traditional 3-tiered tea services which have been tweaked for the season to pay homage to the Nutcracker. Dainty sandwiches are paired with smoked turkey breast and pickled cranberry, egg salad with truffle, shaved sirloin with horseradish, while sweet pastries (dubbed Sugar Plum Fairy Gifts) offer Coffee from Arabia, Candy Cane from Russia, and Chocolate from Spain.
After enjoying a leisurely afternoon in the Lobby Lounge skip through the Bosk dining room and you’ll find the hotel’s pretty patio has been transformed into a gorgeous Winter Garden. The cozy new space is a hat tip to après ski hour, a collaboration with House & Home which allows guests to enjoy the fresh outdoors while keeping warm by the fireplace. Open for a limited time (December 31), Bosk Winter Garden features a choir of glowing Christmas trees, comfy couches covered in faux fur pillows, and an addictive festive cocktail and food menu fit for a Snow Queen.
Cottage Winter Cobbler | cognac, port, winter spices, cranberry, lemon
Apple Crumble Chai Toddy | crown royal northern harvest whiskey, grand marnier blended with apple crumble om chai tea, almond milk
Frozen Forest 20 | tanquery no. ten, pine syrup, prosseco
Shangri-La’s House Made Mulled Wine
Warm Celeriac Soup | walnuts, granny smith apple, celery
French Onion Poutine | beef short ribs, local cheese curds, onion, chicken jus
Bosk Reuben | house cured pastrami, red cabbage sauerkraut, russian dressing, gruyere, toasted caraway rye
Warm Toffee Pudding | poached pears, ginger ice cream, caramel sauce
