Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Tuesday's Tea


Tea at the Ritz


I saw a delightful article on the CNN Website the other day. (How often do you get to say that?) It was all about taking tea in England. Sigh. How I'd love to be the reporter with that assignment! I followed a few of their links and thought I'd share a few here.

So pour your cuppa and enjoy the virtual tea tour with me. I have my Earl Grey poured in my favorite bone china cup right beside me ready to enjoy.

Here is a quick article on various tea traditions in England describing what to expect for an Afternoon Tea, as well as High Tea and "Elevenses". (Think: a pretty tea party, dinner, and a coffee break with tea instead.)

This is the link to the article itself listing several popular places for tea. I find it a bit funny that it's from Budget Travel, but lists teas from some of the most expensive places in England, upwards of 92 pounds. I guess we all have different budgets.

Let's stop off at The Ritz, shall we? Here's their Menu for Afternoon Tea. Remember ladies to make those reservations at least a month in advance!

Afternoon Tea Sandwiches

Smoked Salmon
Egg Mayonnaise with Cress
Ham
Chicken and Mayonnaise
Cucumber with Cream Cheese
Freshly Baked Raisin and Apple Scones with Devonshire Clotted Cream and organic Strawberry Preserve
Assortment of Afternoon Tea Pastries with English Cream
Fruits of The Forest Compote with English Cream
Ritz Selected Teas or Ritz Blend Filter Coffee

The Ritz's Tea Menu looks wonderful. I think I would request a pot of the Rose Congou/Pouchong myself. Here's its description:

Rose Congou / Pouchong

A China black tea from the Guangdong province enriched with rose petals & flavoured with rose aroma, very gentle, light, a delicious tea.

Of course, it would be hard to resist this Darjeeling. I often will order a Darjeeling when I am out to tea as they are usually a more expensive tea to buy on their own. Doesn't this description sound delightful?

Darjeeling First Flush

Truly the Champagne of teas, a rare & wonderful experience, this Black tea, from the first tender new shoots grown between February and April on the foothills of the Himalayas, producing a wonderful light liquor with a delicate flavour of green muscatel.

The Dorchester reminds you to dress accordingly:

The Dorchester has grand dining, less formal eating, award-winning afternoon teas and a variety of distinctive private dining rooms. Expert service and elegant surroundings ensure a memorable experience.

The dress code at The Dorchester is smart casual, however we do request that guests refrain from wearing baseball hats, shorts and training shoes.

Yes, let's not wear our training shoes to tea, ladies.


Claridge's Afternoon Tea

This looks like where I'd like to stop in with a fun friend and laugh together enjoying our tea after a delightful time shopping, or visiting a museum. It doesn't appear stuffy, or intimidating at all. The stripes add such an element of fun to the table, don't they?

Well, I hope our little tea trip has refreshed you. Thanks for joining me! Have a tea-lightful week!

9 comments:

Kate said...

Thanks for stopping by; it's nice meeting new people.
I will actually be going to London early next year. I am very excited about it; hoping for high tea.
Let's see:
love the pic's.
I scored Carole Lombard (I think it said something like I'm a fruitcake with flair).
Ps 139...one of my fav's.
I actually attended a tea party a couple years ago. There is a lady who lives in Castle Rock who hosts tea parties in her home for girlfriends who just want to get together...it was really an awesome time.
Glad you stopped by...I'll keep checking in. :)
Many blessings to you.
Kate

Kate said...

Sorry, I was just reading more and got so excited! We have Soooo much in common. I LOVE Anne of Green Gables, my best friend and I have had a couple marathons. :) Good times!
LOVE Antiques! I don't own too many...just a musical powder box and a lace (LOVE lace too) collar from 1912. I frequent the shops on Broadway and drool...lol.
I burn candles ALL the time.
Earl Grey is also my fav tea.
I would have fresh flowers in my home every day, but my cat likes them as much as I do, so I avoid getting them.
I used to have every Victoria magazine from the early 80's to last year, but recently tossed them with the exception of a few of the early mags. Ladies Gallery was also one of my favs.
Ok, I'll stop now...oh, one more thing...I won't get rid of my lazer discs & player because I love watching Sense and Sensibility on it and I just can't say it would be as exciting on dvd...lol.
I am just too excited, but really...I'm done. I really am glad to get to know you.
~kate

Carina said...

I am a 38 year old mom of 4 children. I recently found your blog and am enjoying reading it!

Thanks for the link to the afternoon tea article. I was just in London a few months ago and my husband and I had tea at the Savoy--just fabulous! We also had a lovely tea at The Orangery next to Kensington Palace. (By the way, the next time you order a Darjeeling, choose a "second flush" tea--they are actually a better quality tea than the first flush.)

Kind regards,
Carina

Brenda@CoffeeTeaBooks said...

I was "Downtown" this morning and thinking how much I miss the department store with the tea room.

It went out when the Mall came in.

We had two department stores like that, one located Downtown and the other in a small shopping center.

I would always look forward to stopping by the tea room alone or with Mom when I was younger.

Great post!

Anonymous said...

Note to self-do not visit Kimberly's blog on an empty stomach.
joanna, who is off to the kitchen....seriously! :)

Kimberly said...

Nice to meet you Kate! Come back again soon. Have you been to the House of Commons Tea Room downtown? I love it there. That's where Joanne and I first met each other offline.

Welcome, Carina! Thanks for the tip on the Darjeeling. I'll have to remember that. I love learning more about tea.

Brenda, come to Denver! We have a lovely tea room (House of Commons) downtown. We'll share a pot of your favorite tea and some scones.

Joanna, you're funny! Still need your bog address to link back...

Lallee said...

This is a wonderful post on tea. It makes me want to go to a tearoom! We have British neighbors (their vacation home here). I was surprised to learn when they say they had tea that they meant what would be dinner to us in the evening, not having tea with the wonderful little cakes and sandwiches. I was very confused for a while.

Thank you for visiting my blog and mentioning the children's version of Pilgrim's Progress. I forgot to when I wrote the post. We sold several copies of that version, too, in the church bookstore. The children are loving it. I wish I had it when my children were young!

Jodi said...

Kimberly ~ such a fun post! I love all the links. And, oh my, the delicacies sound delightful! :o)

(*sigh* I know I was here and then gone for quite a while and then back again. My computer shut down on me again, so I walked away and am just now coming back! Didn't want you to think I was a nut case ~ lol.)

Kim said...

I really want to enjoy tea. Unforyunately, I haven't found one I like yet. My sister has been to London and my cousin was/is a missionary on South Africa and both returned with a fondness for tea.

Someday, I will find the right tea!!

Thanks for stopping by--I love your journal!

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