TY Bar

Not quite understanding what all the complaining is about but this is a pretty typical hotel lounge — it is the Four Seasons after all and so we have always found the service to be exemplary and the staff to be supercourteous.
Try to get a seat by the fireplace in the back as those sofas are always the most relaxing.
The drinks are always good — they sometimes rotate the cocktail selection but the blood orange mojito is a particular favorite.

Located in The Four Seasons hotel. Afternoon tea service here isn’t the best but it’s decent enough. My favorite table is by the window.

So if you want to hang out at an empty lounge with weird middle eastern men staring at you, this is the place! No vibe. No energy. And overpriced drinks. There is so much one could do with this space it’s a shame! One is better off staying at home.

We were set for a «meeting» with several business folks for a casual but profeessional evening out. We first set it up at neighboring Tao, but some of us were late and the restaurant started its «club» atmosphere. So, being hungry… and not everyone knowing what Unilocal was… naturally chose… the hotel next door! CRINGE! (I TRIED to get them to Unilocal the lounge, but there were too many hungry people that they just wanted to get a lounge and sit). So we sat.
Brief synopsis before you read on and are short in decision-​making time: for a relaxing evening out to laugh and talk, with a little extra money to spare, and in need of simple non-​ecclectic food makes this is a semi-​keeper.
Now for the more critical food review:
I got a mushroom salad with sundried tomatoes and arugula and it was very tasty… definitely one of the better salads I’ve had and what I needed after starving for 3 hours!
I then shared two entrees with a friend. She ordered a red snapper with tomatoed chickpeas (mediterranean style), Not flavorful. The red snapper was cooked nicely but nothing that great. It should have come out with a little bit more salt and pepper at least, and possibly some lemon. It would have helped tie the roots of the mediterranean.
I also ordered Yellowfin Tuna Burger that came with slaw, Shrimp Chips, and an amazing Soy Ginger Aioli. I ordered the burger medium to well-​done and it came out dry which I anticipated because tuna gets dry FAST, but I just wasn’t feeling «rare» at the moment. HOWEVER, the taste of the aioli and the tuna seasoning was delish and brought it back to life.
The slaw needs some salt as well but the shrimp chips (not fishy, btw, just part of the name) was a nice touch.
I don’t think I’ll be back BUT if you’re looking for a nice lounge to share drinks and desserts or just appetizers, I’d go. The group had a wonderful time being able to eat, brainstorm work ideas and need to have an open discussion without having to watch our tones or scream over music or other tables.

The lobby lounges at the Four Seasons Hotels have long been my favorite places to unwind. Over the past few years, they have gone through some changes. The «Ty» lounge is on the west side of the lobby.
While prices for food and drink are very high, they are inline with what you’d find at any other top hotel. The service is very attentive, and the setting is also stunning, so it makes for a great experience. Pick a comfortable seat and you are good to go!
I recommend the chocolate mousse cake — it has a hint of orange in it that makes it sublime!

This place is quite pricey but also pretty cool. It is located in the lobby of the Four Seasons — so outside of being a guest there, live close by or attending a conference there you probably would not be frequenting the place. It is a lounge style set-​up with a gorgeous fire place. The chairs are over sized but comfortable and the area is surprising quiet. It felt like we were sitting in someones living room.
It has a decent selection of wines and cocktails and few food items. the food dishes are small — definitely not enough for dinner — but still good for sharing. I had the tuna two ways — the Sashimi was VERY good but the roll was lacking. They did not use adequate sushi rice which made it mushy and sour. The seaweed salad on the dish was also really good. I also tried the Reuben egg rolls — which sound and look gross but taste wonderfully amazing! The mini Kobe burgers were also really yummy. they came with an asian pickled cucumber and cherry tomato on top.

Had afternoon tea here last Sat. It was pricey at $ 50 for a pot of tea and 6 savory (or sweet) The presentation, the quality of food, and excellent service almost made it worth it. We sat on the sofas/​lounge chairs and were never rushed. Had a good experience but not sure I’ve ever go back since there are better places to go for afternoon tea in the city. Perhaps I’m not classy enough but I prefer the more casual Alice’s Tea Cup or the 5 course tea at Lady Mendl’s. When it comes to «hotel tea» I think the standard Fairmont and Ritz afternoon tea sessions are better…

Is a hotel the sum of all its parts?
I love the Four Seasons*, but I was recently disappointed by my lunch at their Ty restaurant. More accurately, my meal was overshadowed by:
1) Very uncomfortable chairs.
2) Others’ conversations since the tables are too close to one another.
3) The middle aged woman to my left, sucking her fingers — Obviously, she was more impressed by the afternoon tea than I.
My advice: Ask your host/​ess to sit you at one of the large chaise lounges by the front or the plump armchairs near the fireplace in the back. Forgo the $ 50 afternoon tea & order from the lunch menu. I recommend the Cobb salad & the salmon. The latter arrives with in a lovely sauce & covered in a super crispy skin. Beautiful presentation.
Our waiter, Darrin provided excellent service. After several detailed explanations of the tea offerings, I chose the Pannetone, which is based on the flavors of Italian bread. I wouldn’t order it again — It sounds better than it tastes. If you like Lapsong Souchong (I don’t — I like mild), you might want to try their BC Forestea. I think I’ll look into the «Tilleul» Linden Blossom the next time.
Total Tea Selections:
6 Black Teas
8 Herbal Teas
3 Green Teas
1 Oolong Tea
Arrives in Asian style teapots, with mugs from Bernardaud. (Yes, I flipped it over to check since I considered getting some for my apartment.) Check out my photos.
While you’re waiting for your food, do admire the high ceilings from your elevated perch above the lobby. Do not bother to remind them to bring you bread & butter — Not worth it — Neither warm nor good. Save your calories.
Speaking of cutting calories… I finished my lunch with the pumpkin cheesecake & pistachio panna cotta. The former was a bit dense, but the pistachio brittle garnish was great. The latter was slimy. Avoid, avoid, avoid!
Unfortunately, I was not able to avoid the chemical spray cleaning of the table next to mine. People are eating! Here’s a thought: Put the cleaner on the rag before you enter the dining area.
No dinner, but «Evening brings a sophisticated hors d’oeuvres menu, along with a premium selection of aperitifs, spirits and champagne.»
Monday to Friday:
Continental Breakfast 9 — 11:30 AM
Light Lunch 11:30 AM — 5 PM
Afternoon Tea 3 — 5 PM
Cocktails 5 — 11 PM

Saturday to Sunday:
Light Lunch 2 — 5 PM
Afternoon Tea 2 — 5 PM
Cocktails 5 — 10 PM
Hm… I was hoping to start the new year with a more positive review (Especially since I got ROTD for January 1)… Oh well. Maybe my second review of the year will be more happy.
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