Restaurant Review: Chicago’s Holiday Teas Add Elegance to a festive season
The popularity of Afternoon Tea began in the mid-19th century in England, when Anna, the seventh Duchess of Bedford, introduced the concept of Afternoon Tea in 1840. The Duchess got hungry around four o’clock in the afternoon, and the evening’s meal wasn’t until 8 pm.
According to the blog site The Swan, The Duchess asked for a tray of tea, bread, butter, and cake during the late afternoon. It became a habit, and she began inviting friends to join her in her room to enjoy this afternoon snack.
Today, the traditional Afternoon tea is a staple of the holiday season.
Fit for a Queen (or King)
At the Drake Hotel’s Palm Court, 140 E. Walton Place, has been serving afternoon tea on the Gold Coast for more than a century. They have served true royalty, including the late Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Diana. Through January 11, they’re hosting a daily seating from 11am-5pm.
Afternoon tea begins with the Palais de Thes menu, which features 17 unique tea blends, that includes delightful twists like the Mélange du Cap, a pairing of cocoa nibs and vanilla pods against a delicate rooibos backdrop. Tea is served in individual tea pots accompanied by the traditional three-tiered tea tray filled with an arrangement of gourmet Artisanal Finger Sandwiches; From-Scratch Bread and Scones; and dainty Petit Fours complemented by house-made preserves, lemon curd, and English double-Devon cream. While prices per person aren’t listed, a Google search indicates that guests can expect to pay approximately $74–$78 per adult and Prince or Princess Tea available for $35 per child, ages 3-12. On selected dates, carolers and a classical harpist provides elegant entertainment. For reservations and information, click here.
An International Tea in Lincoln Park
Through January 11, Lincoln Park’s French-Indian inspired Verzenay Chicago, 2507 N. Lincoln Avenue, offers a non-vegetarian or vegetarian menu holiday tea for $80 per adult, and a special Kids Menu, $58 per child for ages 4 to 9. Verzenay’s High Tea includes a wide selection of Palais des Thés French Tea, Coffee or Hot Chocolate. Along with buttery scones with clotted cream and jam, and a selection of petit fours,their savory menu includes a Crispy Lions Mane Sandwich, Cucumber Sandwich, French Onion Roast-Beef Sandwich, and Katori Chaat (crispy dough balls). Their sweet menu has such favorites as Strawberries & Cream Choux Puff, Citrus & Jasmine Olive-Oil Cake, Chocolate Banana Tart, and a Paris Brest Almond Financier Cake.
Note: Please let them know of any food allergies or request for vegetarian option at the time of reservation. They will confirm changes they can accommodate. For reservations, click here.
Elegance in Chicago’s Loop
At the Chicago Loop’s LondonHouse Bridges – Afternoon Tea, 85 E. Wacker Drive, an elegant holiday tea is served daily from 11am-3pm for $100 per adult and $50 per child from now to January 11.
High tea begins with a basket of goodies …Dark Chocolate Scone, Classic Cream Scone, Decorated Sugar Cookie, and Green Apple Coffeecake, served with forest berry preserves, lemon curd, and clotted cream.
That’s followed by a savory menu including Salmon Gravlox, with beet-cured salmon, everything spice cream cheese, cucumber, and crispy capers, served on pumpernickel. Mini Lobster Roll combines New England lobster, aioli, and brown butter on a brioche. Phyllo Tartlet comes with orange marmalade, whipped goat cheese, and candied kumquat. Mini Yorkshire Pudding has a tangy combination of roast beef, demi glace, horseradish cream, and red onion jam. A touch of Asian includes a Peking Duck Spring Roll with a FourStar shiitake mushroom, hoisin, and scallion. French inspiration can be seen in their Petit Croque Monsieur withham, gruyere cheese, and béchamel on a brioche. Holiday Tea comes to a sweet end with a Santa Macaron, with a white chocolate candy cane ganache, a personal Christmas Tree made of black cocoa cake with a milk chocolate ganache, and a Rudolph Dome with salted caramel mousse, pear confit, and speculoos (thin, crispy spiced shortcrust cookies). As if those weren’t enough, their Cookie Butter Cheesecake Pop with a white chocolate glazeand Red Velvet Donut with a fondant glaze and festive décor round out the LondonHouse high tea.
The Kids Tea includes such kid-friendly items as Bagel Pizza Bites with pepperoni, tomato sauce, and mozzarella, Pigs in a Blanket has a mini beef hot dog in puff pastry. The Grinch is a tasty combination of green grape, strawberry, banana, cream cheese, and mini marshmallow. Mini Croque Monsieur is a savory sandwich of ham, gruyere cheese, and béchamel on brioche. Cheese and Cracker is like no other with a goat cheese dome, pesto and roasted tomato wreath on a Ritz cracker. Kids can finish off their holiday tea just like the adults with a Santa Macaron, Christmas Tree, or Rudolph Dome.
Note: As they say on their website: “We are politely declining any dietary restrictions or substitutions as our tea service has a set menu.” For reservations, click here.
Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago
