I’ve been to many tea houses in the world.  In fact, while hobnobbing with my European women friends in Hong Kong where I once lived, we took turns hosting traditional afternoon tea parties on a weekly basis.  It would either be at our homes, or we would go somewhere.  But since I moved to the States, it’s not like I typically hear the words, “Let’s meet for tea!”  And by that, I mean High Tea with all the trimmings.  More commonly, it’s more like, “Let’s meet for coffee”.  Terribly American.  Haha!  Now, now, you’ve heard of the expression “Terribly British.”  So no offense meant.

But some of the tea houses in Asia at least bring a more cultural experience, like that of the Luk Yu Tea House located in Central, Hong Kong.  There, steamed dim sum is served in tiered and stacked bamboo baskets, while tea is seriously offered from a long mental list of a thousand kinds you’re supposed to know.  Terribly Chinese.  How can you not know Da-Hong Pao?  It’s just the most expensive and rarest of Chinese teas with incredible medicinal value, believed to have cured the mother of a Ming Dynasty Emperor! Xie xie.  That means thank you. Now you know.

And now, I’m in New York–often.  I’m at the Baccarat Hotel where the style is hip or current, developed through the melding of cultures, and where the atmosphere screams “NOW”.  Tea takes a small backseat in the splendor of a dramatic setting glistening with my favorite brand of crystal–  Baccarat from France.  With a few elements of accent color, predominantly red,  the design is contemporary with clean lines, apart from the ornate chandeliers of traditional form that’s well… terribly French.  I hope you’re catching on by now.

Here, New York meets Paris. It’s like a modern day Great Gatsby setting where Daisy Buchanan shows up in comfortable elegance, drinking more martinis and champagne than tea, but still with her tower of mini sandwiches and desserts.  Who cares about the tea?  Several chandeliers light up the room with so much beauty, no one really needs further comforting.  There are three over a lengthy bar sided with black and white barstools and the open room is divided into little “salons” of seating.

But let’s face it.  High Tea is terribly English.  The royal highness of tea itself came from the idea that began in the early 1800’s, when Queen Victoria was simply starved between lunch and dinner, by 4:00 p.m.. And thus, from whence came the perfect little concoction of sandwiches, crumpets and desserts–just to “hit the spot” with.

High Tea at the Baccarat Hotel as a social treat with chic friends from town or not?  I say! Terribly posh.


October 18, 2018
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