LUXURY AFTERNOONS

Care for a Spot of Tea?

BY VICTORIA L. HOFFMAN

Always hungry myself, I’m usually in search of the most fantastic afternoon teatimes wherever my team and I go.

Anna Russell, the Duchess of Bedford, was really onto something when she complained of hunger in the late afternoons to Queen Victoria. This gave her the idea of having light snacks and tea and she used this as a social occasion to invite friends. The rest is history.

Always hungry myself, I’m usually in search of the most fantastic afternoon teatimes wherever my team and I go. Why? I love the indulgence of luxury in its simplest form – admiring the shimmering beauty of fine porcelain, the artistic presentation of finger sandwiches, the dainty way the petit fours dress the three-tier server, and the overall admiration of the skillfully placed table settings along with its lace. A visit is not complete without an array of teas and of course, champagne. With an amplitude of fantastic experiences around the world we have curated our own list of favorites.

Peggy Porschen Afternoon Tea at The

Lanesborough - London

At London’s The Lanesborough, guests will fall in love with the ethereal fairytale surroundings in the Michelin-starred Céleste where afternoon tea is served. Besides the exquisite floral arrangements and beautiful domed glass roof, the sweets include signature layer cakes and delightful dishes such as Strawberry & Champagne Cupcake.

The Mad Hatter’s Afternoon Tea at

The Sanderson - London

The name alone – Mad Hatters Afternoon Tea-should make anyone realize they are about to devour something

down the rabbit hole. The only thing missing is Alice and the Queen of Hearts, but instead you’ll find teapots adorned with kings and queens and sandwich plates decorated with zebras, birdcages and ticking clocks. Enjoy Tweedle Dee’s lemon curd financier, a mocha chessboard gateau and with the Mad March Hare vanilla pocket watch macaroon, and Alice’s cinnamon, apple and peach “Drink Me” potion. For the more traditionalists, there is of course, scones, clotted cream and fruit preserve. When in doubt have a glass of Veuve Clicquot.

Pret-a-Portea: The Couture Cakewalk at Berkeley

Hotel - London

This “fashionable” high tea is known for the creativity of its pastry chef in which the tea service is fashion-themed. Sandwiches, biscuits, and pastries are made in the forms of shoes, handbags, and haute couture wear. Examples include Manolo Blahnik stiletto biscuits, Yves Saint Laurent sponge cake handbags, and a Giambattista Valli red macaroon dress with chocolate truffles. Guests can also take a masterclass and learn how to make a designer dessert. Go Haute Couture with a glass of Dom to complete your experience.

The Rubens at the Palace Hotel - London

Where else can one find a spot of tea for $625? At this London-based hotel guests can get three cups from the pot. The five-star hotel overlooks The Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace and serves afternoon tea daily. Diners can enjoy assorted scones, pastries and finger sandwiches along with an outstanding tea experience which is a collaboration with

tea merchants PMD Tea. Ceylon Golden Tips is a blended tea from Sri Lanka and is considered a rather expensive tea. Tea pluckers hand pick the buds at sunrise and then sun dry them on a velvet cloth, turning the buds from silver to gold. Note: there are other more economical afternoon services available to select.

Sketch at Mayfair - London

If you’re looking for the place to be seen, then look no further than this swanky over-the-top restaurant which is helmed by the great Michelin-star chef Pierre Gagnaire and restaurateur Mourad Mazouz. Teatime starts early here– at 11:30 a.m. – in the pink Gallery which is very much alive with a whimsical vibrant, unique touch. The wait staff is very glamorous, the string quartet plays modern music instead of the classics as you’d expect, and all the while you’re wondering who is the man dressed in a pink suit and Panama hat. It turns out he’s the caviar man. Yes, this is an actual role. Besides the typical sweets and dainty sandwiches there’s more French flair cultivated here with an egg-andtruffle cheese puff and a foie-gras tartlet.

Le Meurice by Cédric Grolet - Paris

Located at the elegant five-star Le Meurice in Paris is Restaurant Le Dalí (inspired by THAT Dali) whose afternoon tea is perhaps the most coveted in the City of Lights. And here’s why – when you have a pastry chef like Cédric Grolet who wins award after award as best pastry chef in the world, it’s a no brainer that all of his creations are magnifique! La Mirande – Avignon, Provence

This 14th century mansion-turned-hotel is located across from Palais des Papes and its elegant rich tapestries, silklined curtains, and antique furnishings draw the eye to the exquisite detail. Daily guests can partake in a high-quality afternoon tea with fresh cakes and pastries.

HONG KONG

Upper House

On the 49th floor of the Upper House Hotel is Café Gray Deluxe which offers a menu of international and Asian flavors. With an extensive selection, the afternoon tea consists of everything from prawn and mango tea sandwiches and jasmine macarons to rosé champagne. Additionally, the Cookie Department is currently offering a pop-up to go along with the service. Expect brownie-filled chocolate chip and peanut butter cookies among other flavors.

UAE

Ritz Carlton - Dubai

Visit the Lobby Lounge at the Ritz-Carlton Dubai where the menu matches the dramatic landscape – the terrace overlooks the Arabian Gulf as well as the Palm Jumeirah and its gardens. Sip champagne while dabbling on a sandwich of roast beef with Pommery mustard or one made of cucumber, chives and sour cream.

UNITED STATES

Baccarat Hotel – New York City

Perhaps the most extravagant teatime can be found in NYC’s Baccarat Hotel where guests have four different options – from classic British service to caviar-focused with a Russian theme to a French one known as King Louis XV (expect quiche Lorraine) and lastly, the unusual Turkish afternoon tea which is for the spicier connoisseur.

The Palm Court, Plaza Hotel – New York City

There’s nothing grander than stepping back into the Gatsby era and reliving what must have been a lavishly good time at this historic Manhattan hotel in New York City. Imagine the life of Eloise who lived at the hotel (famous from the children’s book) or F. Scott Fitzgerald strolling by. Visitors can select from three very different services - The New Yorker Tea, The Champagne Tea, and The Children’s Eloise Tea. The first one is focused on classic NYC dishes such as lox and bagels, the Champagne one is the sophisticated choice with caviar and foie gras, and the last one is more focused on children’s dishes including pink cotton candy. All three teas offer plenty of finger sandwiches, scones, and desserts. Russian Tea Room – New York City

The Russian Tea Room remains a New York institution with iconic landmark appeal probably because it’s been around for almost a century. Located near Central Park, the restaurant has been a magnet for celebs, socialites, and power players through the years. Perhaps most dazzling is its glitzy décor such as its 24-carat gold ceiling, opulent artwork, and brilliant red leather banquets. Expect a typical English menu, an exotic selection of Indian teas, and plenty of caviar.