Afternoon Tea
 

Hi all,

Myself and Mrs Toothy are visting San Francisco in September. We were wondering if you all had any recommendations as to where to visit for afternoon tea. I guess there is the Ritz-Carlton, but any other recommendations would be welcome.

Many Thanks

The Pallace Hotel has had a tea service in the past. I don't know if it is any good but the location in their indoor courtyard seems quite nice.

Neiman Marcus had a nice tea - I haven't been up there in years, but it is an option, in a nice setting.

Nice Tea!
 

If you want an awesome place that isn't too "stuffy", try the Leland Tea Company.

http://www.lelandtea.com/

It's inexpensive, has a great selection of teas, and it's very cozy!

I don't know about the tea, however, I love Neimans for lunch. Starts off with a cup of bullion and a giant sized hot popover with 3 different butters and then on to whatever you order. As you stated, a very nice setting.
Bob

The Fairmont Hotel also has afternoon tea service, at its Laurel Court restaurant.

To the accompaniment of soft piano music, this is a popular venue throughout the day. Highlights include our exclusive Mandarin Tea in each afternoon, where a choice of sweets (Scones, Madeleines and an Assortment of Cookies) and tea selection are available.

http://www.mandarinoriental.com/sanf...r/default.aspx




http://www.lovejoystearoom.com/

I am really partial to the Palace Hotel's tea
 

The service is Ok, not awesome, but the setting is beautif l and the baked goods are very well done.

I have not been to Leland but everyone I know who has gone has RAVED about it. Parking is terrible if that's a concern.

If oyu are nmore a tea fanatic than a tea service fanatic, the tea room in the Ferry Building does a very nice Chinese tea ervice with dim sum type snacks and an incredible selection of teas.

Hi all,

Many thanks for the responses. It is more the atmosphere than the tea (wife likes tea, I don't - even though I'm English :) ). e.g. We've been to Raffles in Singapore and the Penninsula in Hong Kong.

So a few look good. One more question. What does San Francisco call Business Casual (Manderin O) / sophisticated casual (Ritz) dress code? We're going to Hawaii and then stopping off in San Francisco so I don't particularly want to carry some really smart clothes.

Many Thanks

There are no good definitions of those terms these days. I would show up at both of those places in my dark jeans and a fitted button down casual shirt (untucked) but most people would wear wool slacks and a casual button down shirt.

Leland is casual and isn't what you're looking for if you want something on par with the Peninsula (HK). It's somewhere you can have a nice afternoon tea/snack and bring the kids without embarassment if they spill something.

Great tea though otherwise!

Many Thanks to all of you.