A Touch of Civility in Chaotic New York

 

Sometimes I really just want to dress up, take a Saturday afternoon, and relax with girlfriends in a civilized manner, letting my pinky stick out and nibbling at sandwiches with the crusts cut off. When I was small, we used to do the Ritz Carlton’s Teddy Bear Tea every year and I so looked forward to sharing tea with my sister and Augusta (“Guggie”). So one day soon the girls and I will get together and do a civilized boozy brunch – and give the loud, shrieking brunch a rest. If only we could wear hats as well! Below are a few places in New York that serve afternoon tea.

 

Lady Mendl’s

$35

Appetizer Course:

Lady Mendl’s Amuse Bouche varies seasonally
Second Course:
Tea Sandwiches (sandwiches may vary)
Smoked Salmon with Dill Cream Cheese on Pumpernickel
Cucumber with Mint Crème Fraiche on Brioche
Classic Egg Salad on Rye
Smoked Turkey and Cranberry on Seven Grain
Third Course::
Scones with Devonshire Clotted Cream and Preserves
Dessert Course:
Lady Mendl’s Signature Cake
Fifth Course:
Assorted Cookies with Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Tea Service Includes:
Selection of Freshly Steeped Teas

Lady Mendl’s is located at the Inn at Irving, 56 Irving Place.

 

The Crosby Hotel

CHAMPAGNE AFTERNOON TEA
$46 per person

Glass of Champagne
Selection of sandwiches
Smoked salmon and dill
Cucumber and balsamic vinegar
Egg mayonnaise and mustard cress
Roast beef and horseradish
Scones, strawberry jam, clotted cream
Fruit tart
Carrot cake
Seasonal berries with crème fraiche
Chocolate choux buns
Selection of loose and herbal teas and coffees

The Crosby Hotel is located at 79 Crosby Street.

 

Sarahbeth’s East

$19.50

Afternoon Tea Menu with
Finger Sandwiches

Smoked Salmon
with cucumber, cream cheese and fresh mint

Chicken Salad
with raisins, walnuts and dill

Radish and Cucumber
with lettuce and cream cheese

Black Forest Ham
with brie cheese

and complete with
Sarabeth’s Scones, Cookies, Jams and Clabber

and
Your Choice of Harney & Sons Loose Teas

Sarahbeth’s East is located at 1295 Madison Avenue.

Sweetiepie

$35

Assorted menu of sweets and savories.

Sweetiepie is located at 19 Greenwich Avenue. 

Other places to have Afternoon Tea in Manhattan:

The Carlyle, 35 E 76th Street

Double Crown, 316 Bowery

The Hotel Plaza Athenee, 37 E 64th Street