Best "afternoon tea" or "high tea" meal?
May 14, 2008 | 11:33 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: montreal
Posts: 305
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!
May 14, 2008 | 11:46 am
#2
Join Date: Dec 2007
Programs: SPG Gold; UA 2P
Posts: 238
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.
May 17, 2008 | 6:41 pm
#3
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Philadelphia
Programs: Dividend Miles
Posts: 39
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!
May 17, 2008 | 7:32 pm
#4
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Asia/Europe
Programs: CX, OZ, MU (+AY, DL), Shangri-La, Hilton
Posts: 7,233
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.
May 17, 2008 | 10:32 pm
#6
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: NY Metro Area
Programs: AA 2MM Yay!, UA MM, Costco General Member
Posts: 50,847
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.
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.
May 17, 2008 | 10:43 pm
#7
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Metro Detroit
Programs: DL Plat, NW Plat
Posts: 708
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.
May 24, 2008 | 11:20 am
#10
Join Date: Apr 2008
Programs: amex platinum, american advantage, united, ANA, JAP. SPG, marriott
Posts: 1,262
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!
May 29, 2008 | 1:04 pm
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,871
recent "best in US"
http://www.forbestraveler.com/food-d...oms-story.html
http://www.forbestraveler.com/food-d...oms-story.html
May 29, 2008 | 1:13 pm
#12
Join Date: Apr 2007
Programs: AA EXP; Hyatt Diamond; Hilton Gold; OnePass; SkyMiles
Posts: 109
Clarification
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!
May 29, 2008 | 1:49 pm
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,871
you beat me to it violist. 
quoting from that link >
http://www.tea.co.uk/index.php?pgId=56
(United Kingdom Tea Council)
quoting from that link >
http://www.tea.co.uk/index.php?pgId=56
(United Kingdom Tea Council)
High Tea
For the working and farming communities, afternoon tea became high tea. As the main meal of the day, high tea was a cross between the delicate afternoon meal enjoyed in the ladies' drawing rooms and the dinner enjoyed in houses of the gentry at seven or eight in the evening. With the meats, bread and cakes served at high tea, hot tea was taken.
For the working and farming communities, afternoon tea became high tea. As the main meal of the day, high tea was a cross between the delicate afternoon meal enjoyed in the ladies' drawing rooms and the dinner enjoyed in houses of the gentry at seven or eight in the evening. With the meats, bread and cakes served at high tea, hot tea was taken.
May 29, 2008 | 2:04 pm
#15
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: NY Metro Area
Programs: AA 2MM Yay!, UA MM, Costco General Member
Posts: 50,847
you beat me to it violist.
quoting from that link >
http://www.tea.co.uk/index.php?pgId=56
(United Kingdom Tea Council)
quoting from that link >
http://www.tea.co.uk/index.php?pgId=56
(United Kingdom Tea Council)