Afternoon Tea
Reader, this was a piece written a while ago and even though new places have come to tempt our palates, I still relish going to the ones below.
Tea Box Cafe at Takashimaya
693 Fifth Avenue between 54th & 55th Streets
(212) 350-0100
A serene oasis located in the basement of the store. Both China and Indian teas are offered. If you like your brew extra strong, be sure to tell them, or else the result is a weak pot. Individual afternoon tea items can be ordered but I would suggest the "east-west bento box". At $14.50, it is a superb choice in that it combines both a western and eastern marriage of flavors both in taste and artistry. Laid out in a large painted box, delicate finger sandwiches consisting of smoked chicken, salmon sushi and cucumber sit to one side, freshly made sweet potato chips on another corner, a selection of melt-in-your-mouth cookies and a rich pastry in the middle, crystallized fruits and fresh fruit make up the rest of the tray. Any of the items can be had as a second helping for a small fee - the sweet potato wafers are definitely worth every bite. No reservations needed.
Lady Mendl's
56 Irving Place at the Inn at Irving Place Hotel
(212) 533-4466
Lady Mendl's tea room is a special treat in the heart of winter and just the place to take your Mother or a favored aunt. It is warm and very cozy inside and around Christmas time, the tree looks enchanting. The afternoon tea presented here tends to be on the sweet side starting with an offering of crystallized fruit, then onto the finger sandwiches, scones with cream and jam, and pastries and more sweetmeats. However, the ambiance alone is worth every cent especially in the bleak winter months when you can feel yourself transported to 19th century New York a la Edith Wharton. Reservations are recommended.
The Mark Hotel
25 East 77th Street between Madison & Park Avenue
(212) 744-4300
This hotel has one of the best valued teas all around. At $17.50 per person, it may seem a little on the expensive side, but the tea selection is varied and the food is delicious, filling and presented beautifully. The scones are particularly tasty with thick cream and strawberry jam in little pots. One can linger there without being rushed out and if you stay past 6:00 p.m., then you can order an aperitif and enjoy the cocktail hour at the place considered to be the finest hotel bar in New York city. No need to mention that the selection of salted nuts are also considered superb. Reservations are recommended.
T Salon & Emporium
11 East 20th Street between 5th Avenue & Broadway
(212) 358-0506
Originally in Soho, the new premises are much smaller but on two levels. The ground floor houses the tea room with a large selection of teas and serves excellent scones with cream and jams and various sandwiches. Reservations are not necessary. The level above is a store selling an assortment of products entirely related to tea and the prices are fairly reasonable and make good presents.
Tea Box Cafe at Takashimaya
693 Fifth Avenue between 54th & 55th Streets
(212) 350-0100
A serene oasis located in the basement of the store. Both China and Indian teas are offered. If you like your brew extra strong, be sure to tell them, or else the result is a weak pot. Individual afternoon tea items can be ordered but I would suggest the "east-west bento box". At $14.50, it is a superb choice in that it combines both a western and eastern marriage of flavors both in taste and artistry. Laid out in a large painted box, delicate finger sandwiches consisting of smoked chicken, salmon sushi and cucumber sit to one side, freshly made sweet potato chips on another corner, a selection of melt-in-your-mouth cookies and a rich pastry in the middle, crystallized fruits and fresh fruit make up the rest of the tray. Any of the items can be had as a second helping for a small fee - the sweet potato wafers are definitely worth every bite. No reservations needed.
Lady Mendl's
56 Irving Place at the Inn at Irving Place Hotel
(212) 533-4466
Lady Mendl's tea room is a special treat in the heart of winter and just the place to take your Mother or a favored aunt. It is warm and very cozy inside and around Christmas time, the tree looks enchanting. The afternoon tea presented here tends to be on the sweet side starting with an offering of crystallized fruit, then onto the finger sandwiches, scones with cream and jam, and pastries and more sweetmeats. However, the ambiance alone is worth every cent especially in the bleak winter months when you can feel yourself transported to 19th century New York a la Edith Wharton. Reservations are recommended.
The Mark Hotel
25 East 77th Street between Madison & Park Avenue
(212) 744-4300
This hotel has one of the best valued teas all around. At $17.50 per person, it may seem a little on the expensive side, but the tea selection is varied and the food is delicious, filling and presented beautifully. The scones are particularly tasty with thick cream and strawberry jam in little pots. One can linger there without being rushed out and if you stay past 6:00 p.m., then you can order an aperitif and enjoy the cocktail hour at the place considered to be the finest hotel bar in New York city. No need to mention that the selection of salted nuts are also considered superb. Reservations are recommended.
T Salon & Emporium
11 East 20th Street between 5th Avenue & Broadway
(212) 358-0506
Originally in Soho, the new premises are much smaller but on two levels. The ground floor houses the tea room with a large selection of teas and serves excellent scones with cream and jams and various sandwiches. Reservations are not necessary. The level above is a store selling an assortment of products entirely related to tea and the prices are fairly reasonable and make good presents.
posted by Acadeka and that rum cake @ 5:50 PM
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