The room at the St Regis is now corporate dull as opposed to the beautiful dream it was in years past (they still have the best clotted cream around though) We just had an uninspired tea at the Peninsula.
We were discussing the Mandarin Oriental as a possibility but I was remembering how mediocre the tea was at the Mandarin in Hong Kong. NYC might be better.
I miss the tea at Fauchon back when they had a store on Park Avenue. That was special.
BTW - while we’ll be trying some of these out does anyone know if any of the above offer “high end” teas? Things like plantation specific darjeelings, good milk oolongs, etc.
Fauchon was where I first learned the difference between first and second flush Darjeeling. I miss that place.
Lori - thanks for the suggestion of Artisanal. I think of them as a cheese place so it never occurred to me to go for tea and dessert. And they’re not far from the 33rd St. PATH station.
Jay, I’m not sure the Mandarin has that deep of a selection for everyone. I think they can get anything though. If you are guest or a regular I’m sure they will source it.
A friend recommended this place: www.franchia.com
They look like they have what you are after.
“The Gallery” at the Carlyle Hotel. Just past Bemelmans Bar off the lobby, “serves a complete English tea with exotic teas (including Assam, Lapsang Souchang and Verveine), traditional tea sandwiches, scones with authentic Devonshire cream and fresh pastries. Served from 3 to 5:30 p.m. daily.”
It took us a year but thank you for the recommendation. The room is so cozy and charming that it more than made up for a few misses on the food.
Teas were all very good (though I’d still like to find a place that caters to tea geeks), sandwiches were excellent as was the gateau du crepes. The scone was dry and heavy and accompanied by mediocre jams and cream but that was the only major miss.
For Tea lovers - A friend recently opened a tea store within 1or8 in Williamsburg and they have his teas on the menu. He works in the Tea store during the day and at the restaurant at night.