Afternoon tea is something now customary in New York City. Tea salons are now present in the city, as there are hotels as well as restaurant organizers of such meals. Although afternoon tea is believed to have originated in England in the year 1840 when Anna, the Duchess of Bedford, proposed the idea of having a small meal between lunch and dinner, the art of having tea has become popular in New York City today.
Mentioned below are three remarkable afternoon tea venues of New York City that are known for their distinct styles, menus, and serving of food.
1) Lady Mendl’s Tea Salon: A Victorian Style Tea
Lady Mendl’s Tea Salon is situated in Gramercy and is famous for its Victorian ambiance, which is at the same time cozy and a romantic one.
The meal starts with Earl Grey tea as well as with cocktails such as rose petal fizz and cocktails prepared from butterfly pea gin. Besides that, a seasonal soup made from pumpkin and apple is served to the guests in a Turkish cup.
The types of sandwiches available include avocado and chickpea spread sandwich, jalapeno butter with cucumber sandwich, egg salad sandwich, goat cheese and fig jam, smoked salmon with crème fraiche and dill sandwich, butternut squash and Gorgonzola cheese. Each type of sandwich is prepared using different taste and texture.
Those who like scones will find freshly prepared scones with clotted cream, raspberry jam, and lemon curd absolutely irresistible.
Finally, there is a wide range of desserts in the program such as 12-layer crêpe cake, chocolate cheesecake, chocolate covered strawberry, macarons, and petits fours.
Lady Mendl’s impresses one not only with the design of the establishment but with the level of service and the menu it has to offer.
- The Peninsula New York: Luxury Tea Experience
The Peninsula New York is a luxury hotel that offers a very exclusive type of tea-drinking experience. One of the highlights of the afternoon tea is its seasonal theme that allows trying different sweets during every visit.
The menu presented on one of the occasions is inspired by the Holiday Train Show at New York Botanical Garden. A great example is a strawberry train made from chocolate and pastry with wonderful wheels.
The savory selection features four types of tea sandwiches: salmon, egg, lobster, and roast beef. Guests can also enjoy classic types of tea such as English breakfast tea in ellegant tableware.
Reservations need to be made in advance, minimum 48 hours before the occasion. The visitors reserve their spot through OpenTable website or the hotel’s official website. The accommodations at the Peninsula are a great combination of having a unique tea experience with a comfortable stay.
- The Russian Tea Room: A Well-known New York Landmark
Founded in 1927 by the members of the Russian Imperial Ballet, the Russian Tea Room is one of the well-known places to dine in New York City. Their unique design of the interior and presence in many films contributed to its fame.
The price of the standard tea experience includes 2 servings of delicious afternoon tea as well as champagne, prosecco, or an option without any alcoholic drinks and is set at $145 per person. The guests can choose different varieties of tea, including Russian breakfast tea, which is served in an unusual way.
The delicious selection consists of several teas, such as caviar, ahi tuna, artichoke with sun-dried tomatoes and goat cheese.
Desserts are equally delectable and include matcha macarons, mushroom meringues, and Russian salami. Although it looks like salami, Russian salami is actually a sweet confection of chocolate, fruit, and other ingredients.
Which Afternoon Tea in New York Should You Check Out?
There are different things to discover from each location. Lady Mendl’s is the best option if someone wants elegance; the Peninsula is perfect for seasonal extravagance and innovative goodies; the Russian Tea Room offers a mix of history and drama.
Whether you want to have a celebration, a meeting with your friends, or a nice experience in New York, these three places will show you why afternoon tea is popular among people in the city.
