difference between "afternoon tea" and "high tea"
 

Here's a menu from the same restaurant that offers both "afternoon tea" and "high tea":

http://www.fortnumandmason.com/Commo...enuMar2008.pdf

As you can see, "high tea" is a more substantial meal.

That being said, I was in Singapore recently and I saw an amazing high tea spread. Here's more info:

http://www.fourseasons.com/singapore...ne_ninety.html

http://www.fourseasons.com/singapore/menu_2343.html

"high tea" ... possibly the most frequently misused phrase in the English language.

For my late mother, tea was dinner and the 'high' part referred to it being served on the high table (that is dining room table). It was the country tea served as a full meal but not a fancy one.

She cringed when she heard people call afternoon tea 'high' tea and I do the same.

I 2nd GadgetFreak on the Mount Nelson for afternoon tea. Although the Cape Grace does a very fine job as well.

In the US if you want a 'proper' tea, I guess you have to come to my table.

I should add that I also really like the French version of tea as well. I have had afternoon tea at Mariage Freres in Paris and it was quite spectacular I also had a lighter version with less food and the addition of champagne in another tea house in Paris (near the Jardin de Luxembourg) but I dont remember the name of it because Im afraid I had a bit too much tea. :) It is a bit different than its English counterpart, but really nice. Mariage Freres is a real treat if you are in Paris. I also had tea at the New York version of Fauchon which I guess no longer exists but I think they still serve tea in Paris. I havent had the Paris version but it was very good in New York. No reason to think that tea at Fauchon in Paris would be anything less than exquisite, although probably awfully pricey.

Are you talking about this place?

http://www.dalloyau.fr/luxembourg.html

The pastries here are excellent. Can't speak for their tea. I'm afraid I had a bit too much chocolat à la viennois, millefeuille, St-Honoré, kouign-aman and macarons.

Yes, that is probably it. We were there with friends or ours, some of whom are Parisians and live nearby. Thanks for pointing that out.

Rittenhouse Hotel, Philadelphia
 

Today I visited the Rittenhouse for tea. I arrived around 2:30 to discover that they moved the event to a room upstairs. A private function was being prepared in the usual local. The temporary venue had none of the class of the normal location. I decided to come back another day.

Sunday brunch was being served in the upstairs restaurant. Sadly, I was too late to partake as they finished at 2:30. However, I had an opportunity to have a look at what was on offer. The dinning room is light and bright and the food is dispersed from a number of small buffet stations. One of the wait staff guided back into the kitchen where the hot food was prepared. You actually go right back into the working kitchen where the chefs prepare the food at a number of stations. The selection was well prepared and presented. At about fifty dollars, it's not cheap, but it's well worth it. I may pass on the tea next time and go for brunch.

I hate to bring up the most infamous "tea place", but I really did enjoy my tea at the Ritz in London!:D

The Ritz, London
 

I tried to get into the Ritz the weekend of May 23rd. The staff assured me that it was booked solid for the next several weeks, but admitted there were occasions when people canceled. From what I could see, they have only a dozen or so tables set out for tea service. I dropped by three times in a vain attempt to get in. No cancellations. I now have a much greater appreciation for the adjective "ritzy." The place is gorgeous and the staff most courteous.

On a lark, I walked down to the Mandarin Oriental (near Harrods) to see what they had. The hotel is gorgeous and the lobby very unusual - you have to walk upstairs as soon as you step inside. At the top of those stairs stand four uniformed employees waiting to serve you. The restaurant is beautiful, but far too modern looking (and Asian) for my proper English requirements.

Next time out of the Ritz head down the street a block or two and try the Wolseley.

Fortnum and Mason, London
 

Fortnum and Mason was recommended time and again so it made it to the top of my short list of London tea options. I made reservations for Saturday.

The exterior of the shop is outfitted with alluring display windows; I was unaware they sold more than just foodstuffs. Inside I was greeted by a bewildering array of sweets and tea products. I had to ask one of the staff for the location to the restaurant. "Which one?" she asked. Apparently the place has four places to eat. I took the elevator to the fourth floor, St James's Restaurant. The room looked like a well appointed lobby with couches (chesterfields?) and lounge chairs arranged around coffee tables. There were some regular restaurant-style table in the back. There was only one couple dining there. I was hoping for something a bit more lively.

My companion and I checked out the boisterous wine bar on the bottom floor and decided that this was more to our liking. We had to wait for a table so we used the time to explore. On the second floor, a chef was demonstrating pastry making (mmmm, free samples!).

The food in the restaurant was typical-London expensive and not particularly good. However, the company was most pleasant (which made up for the mediocre service). The original plan was to retire to the Parlour Restaurant for ice cream but since the sun was out we went across the street and had coffee in the courtyard of the Royal Academy of Arts.

I returned to Fortnum and Mason the next day, determined to get my fill of tea. I arrived at the restaurant just in time to overhear the French maître d' tell another couple that the restaurant was closing. The fellow recognized me when I greeted him and gave me a pained look when I said I'd returned for tea. They were no longer serving. There were half a dozen small groups gathered around their silver tray towers dining on dainty sandwiches looking all prim and proper. My feet sore from walking and I was hungry. "Surely you can set me up in the corner with a pot of tea?"

The maître d' looked around a bit and said "Let me see what I can do." He came back a moment later, "Yes, come zis way please." When he came from around the counter, he visibly cringed when he saw I was wearing shorts, but sat me at a nearby couch. One of the black and white clad serving staff brought me a list of the teas.

The couch was firm but very comfortable. It felt good to sit down. I resisted the incredible urge to pull off my boots as I waited for my tea. The server came back and laid out tea pot, hot water pot, tea cup and saucer, sugar, cream, tea strainer and a small plate of wafer cookies. He explained that I should use the hot water if the tea was too strong. Good advice, as it was very strong indeed.I missed out on the full tea service, but I quite enjoyed my private party.

The store was closing soon so I had to hurry to make additional purchases. On the main floor I picked up a selection of sweets including something that I've never seen before: a sugar plumb. As I walked up Piccadilly, I contemplated returning the next day but decided against it. There were other places I wanted to try and felt that I had done Fortnum and Mason right. I'm determined to go back the next time I visit London, and will give myself enough time to eat and shop.

Liberty of London is very good and much more reasonable than the Ritz which I find a little too snooty.

KiwiPanda

Tea is best enjoyed in a big mug, several times a day. Occasionally with chocolate hob-nobs.

I'm very sorry, you are wrong.

High tea is a distinct meal in Scotland, becoming increasingly rare, but served around 4-5. It is a heartier version of afternoon tea, having a hot meal (scampi and chips comes to mind for some reason - gammon steak and chips would be another standard on a high tea menu) instead of sandwiches at it's heart, but also indulging in the Scot's love of sweet things with scones and cakes.

The Waverley Hotel in Perth used to serve a rather good High Tea, but I haven't heard of it for a number of years.

As to Afternoon Tea, we've done a few as part of dos over here. The one of Borough Market was ok, but I preferred Fortnum and Mason (even if it was twice the price :eek: ), the range of teas were great, and best of all was the Westin in Dublin.

Aftrenoon Tea / High Tea
 

Whatever you call it.

Good afternoon teas I've had include The Langham London. The home made, feshly cooked scones were great and came in plain, fruit and chocolate chip which although maybe not traditional were fantastic I wouldn't reccomend Boston though,the quality was just not the same. Le Manoir aux Quatre Saisons, Oxfordshire serves a good one as would be expected.

Tried afternoon tea at The Waldorf Astoria New York earlier this year but it was very disappointing and you are sat more or less in the lobby. The whole teas thing seems to have been an afterthought for them.