Now OUT
TEATIME, ANYTIME
Cozy up with a cup of comfort at three venues offering delightful afternoon refreshments
The ritual of afternoon tea is something women across the Valley – and even some doting sons and husbands – embrace. Here are the best places to rest, relax and enjoy a spot of English, traditional, afternoon, or even “twisted” tea, especially as temperatures cool.
BY ALISON BAILIN BATZ
English Rose Tea Room Tucked away in the heart of Carefree’s historic district, high tea does not get more traditional than at English Rose. Upon entering the inviting dining room, the attention to detail – delicate white chandeliers, vintage porcelain tea sets, paintings of the Queen of England – is a feast for the eyes. Once seated, the staff is quick to ask you to visit the hat room. Yes, they have a hat room, complete with fascinators, fedoras and even floppy options for you to wear during your experience. The traditional English service ($28 per person) is offered daily and includes a pot of tea from a selection of traditional and specialty flavors. Accompanying the tea is a mouthwatering collection of goodies including finger sandwiches, homemade scones with Devonshire cream and jam, and a seasonal selection of petit fours, pastries and mini cakes. 201 Easy St., Carefree; 480.488.4812; www.carefreetea.com. The Phoenician If high-end, resort-style ambiance is your scene, then the afternoon tea service at The Phoenician is for you. A tradition in the Valley for more than 20 years, The Phoenician Afternoon Tea, which was held daily just off the main lobby of the resort, was recently upgraded and moved to its own space in the lobby as part of the resort’s multi-million-dollar facelift. The tea service is paired with traditional accoutrements including finger sandwiches, scones and pastries, and the new space also provides room for live music and excellent people watching – attendees are often in classic teatime attire. While The Phoenician offers traditional service ($42 per person), they also offer a Royal Tea ($60 per person) that includes sparkling wine as well as a Grand Royal Tea ($70) that includes Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut Champagne as a special treat. 6000 E. Camelback Road, Scottsdale; 480.423.2530; www.thephoenician.com. The Camby The newest of the bunch to start teatime, The Camby does things a little differently, but the result is just as delightful. Dubbed Tipsy Tea Party ($40 per person) and offered on Fridays and Saturdays from 2 to 5 p.m., The Camby’s aim is to lend a quirky twist on the tradition. Rather than standard tea options, it features both hot and chilled tea-infused cocktails as well as tea-infused Champagne and even teathemed “mocktails.” Afternoon nibbles come courtesy of the resort’s award-winning executive chef Dushyant Singh, who’s developed a menu that includes savory mango crab avocado sliders, fried cherry green tomatoes with preserved lemon aioli, and truffle deviled eggs with potato chip dust. 2401 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix; 602.468.0700; www.thecamby.com.
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So Scottsdale! November ‘17