Visiting England gave me a huge appreciation for the art of afternoon tea, and if I ruled the world, I think instating a mandatory “high tea” everyday would be top on the agenda. The china, the macaroons, the perfectly brewed pot of English Breakfast…truly a girly girl’s dream.
While high tea may not be quite as in demand here in the states as it is in England (one of the many reasons you should put England on your “to-travel-to” list this summer!), I was delighted to find a proper afternoon tea right here in NYC, at none other than the famed Plaza Hotel’s Palm Court. Served daily from 2pm to 5pm, you truly feel like you’re stepping into another era. Call me an old soul, but what’s not to love about feeling like you’re whiling away your afternoon in a Fitzgerald novel? Prices start at $50 for adults, so while it may not be practical to integrate into your daily routine (and hey, what New Yorker really has time for daily sit down tea, anyway?), it’s the perfect way to celebrate a birthday, bridal/baby shower, or just treating yourself to a truly delightful afternoon with a friend.
While there’s no need to mention the obvious (tea), the menu consists of a collection of champagnes and sherries, sandwiches and savories, pastries and sweets, and my very favorite, scones. Ahh, the scones. Ever seasonal, ever scrumptious, and complete with the lovely trio of double Devonshire cream, lemon curb, and strawberry preserves.
The children’s menu was a bit more vegetarian friendly (grilled cheese, PB&J, cucumber and butter bread, and sliced strawberries and cream cheese…pretty much a 5-year-old’s dream), so I opted for the grown-up version of that menu. It still left me with more treats than I could possibly swallow in one sitting, so I had a fabulous goody bag to take home. While England had left a tough act to follow in terms of afternoon tea, I promise you won’t get more on point here in New York than at The Plaza. They give a whole new career aspiration to be a “lady who lunches.”
Jessica Tiare Bowen lives in the juicy Big Apple with her adorable pink-nosed chihuahua, Gillman. He’s the inspiration for her first published children’s book, “Park Avenue Pound Puppy.” The book is the combined result of her two greatest passions: pooches and penning stories.
Her passions include art, urban hikes through Manhattan, drinking coffee with 3 creams and 6 sugars, making extremely detailed itineraries and traveling to far away places, singing along to Broadway shows, Netflix movie nights, discovering incredible treasures at Goodwill and thrift stores, and listening to stories from little people under 7 and big people over 70.
She started her career as New York City Teaching Fellow, teaching elementary school and theater arts at a special education school in the South Bronx for 6 years. She is now a Special Education School Improvement Specialist working in public schools throughout New York City. She is the Editor-In-Chief of the online New York City travel magazine, Used York City. The magazine focuses on finding the best of New York…as used by New Yorkers. She is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and an ASPCA Ambassador.
