Best "afternoon tea" or "high tea" meal?
 

I honestly did not know there was a difference until now. I am looking forward to the opportunity to indulge as I've only experienced this most civilized meal twice: Montreal's Ritz Carlton and the Empress Hotel in Victoria, Canada. Both were delightful but incomparable. Please share your experiences!

I love afternoon tea! Lovejoy's does a casual (rather than fancy one) in SF Noe Valley that's a great afternoon out with the girls. L'Espalier in Boston also has a special afternoon tea that I think might be seasonal that is fancy and wonderful. Otherwise, I think it's typically an offering of fancy hotels. The Brits really had the right idea.

Philly tea
 

The four seasons in philly is outstanding. The ritz no longer has afternoon tea in philly, but the rittenhouse hotel tea is nice also. I have had afternoon tea in London, Waikiki and all over Philly, and the four seasons in the best!

And not to forget the Cantonese dimsum offerings with afternoon tea. Had a crosscultural tea break with Korean ginseng tea and prawn dumplings just a few days ago. Yum.

Have not been to many, but the Peninsula in Hong Kong has a brilliant afternoon tea set. It's a must do for anyone who comes to Hong Kong.

We stayed at the Mount Nelson in Cape Town and had high tea there for one of our meals. Here are a description of it and the hotels web page for their tea services (high tea and morning tea).

http://www.southafricalogue.com/trav...cape-town.html

http://www.orient-express.com/web/oc...ernoon_tea.jsp

Ive had high tea at a few places in London, notably the Dorchester and I thought that the Mount Nelson was far superior. A really wonderful experience. The Dorchester was good also, but not as good. Also, Fortnum and Mason in London does a very nice service.

High Tea at the Ritz Central Park, NY is really something you should experience. The teas are wonderful (and I'm not much of a tea drinker), and the little sandwiches and chocolates superb. Service is great.

Peninsula Bangkok.

Peninsula Hong Kong

I second Gadgetfreak's recommendation of the Mount Nelson in Cape Town. I have been to tea at most of the top hotels in London (as well as many other cities) and the Mount Nelson is more British than any of them. In addition to the spectacular array for food there is the ambience which takes you back to another time and place. First Rate!

recent "best in US"
http://www.forbestraveler.com/food-d...oms-story.html

Clarification
 

There is no such thing as "high tea." The ritual you obviously refer to is afternoon tea, as opposed to "tea" as used by working-class Britons to refer to what we would call dinner or supper.

There are those who might disagree with you.

And, of course, these.

you beat me to it violist. :)

quoting from that link >
http://www.tea.co.uk/index.php?pgId=56
(United Kingdom Tea Council)

However, places that do it right, and have been doing it right for a very long time, like the Dorchester, Claridge, Connaught and the Mount Nelson all call it "afternoon tea". What people are talking about partaking in on this thread is afternoon tea.