Afternoon Tea at the Ritz in Boston
Written: Feb 15 '00 (Updated Feb 19 '00)
|
Product Rating:
|
|
|
Pros: The Ritz serves a very nice tea
Cons: Don't show up without reservations.
|
|
|
| caroleg's Full Review: Boston |
Nothing is nicer than catching up with a friend over tea at the Ritz Carlton in Boston. Located across from Boston's Public Garden on the corner of Arlington Street and Newbury Street, this is centrally located and easy to get to from any place in the city. I was there this afternoon for the first time in several months and I realized that I had forgotten how enjoyable it is.
Here's a tip that you don't want to learn the hard way: if you head over there, make sure you make reservations in advance for either the 3:00 or the 4:30 seating. The Ritz no longer takes "walk-ins" for tea at their upstairs tea room.
When you get to the Ritz, you can check your coat on the first floor. You'll then head up to the second floor for tea. If you follow the harp music, you can't go wrong. There is a harpist there for the entire 3:00 seating and sometimes on into the 4:30 seating. The setting is very old Boston and just what you would expect from the Ritz-Carlton, Boston. It has antique tables, sofas and chairs, as well as the blue glassware that is unique to the Ritz. The only thing missing is a view, because you are in a windowless room.
The Ritz serves a tea selection from Taylors of Harrogate. Your tea selections are: "Blue Sapphire" which is made especially for the Ritz which is a "blend of the finest tea from the sapphire mining district in Sri Lanka and blue cornflower petals", English Breakfast, Darjeeling, Ceylon, Earl Grey (my favorite), Jasmine Blossom, Japanese Cherry which is a "decaffeinated Japanese tea with an interesting delicate aroma", Spiced Orange, and Herbal Tea. They also serve brewed and decaffeinated coffee, espresso, and cappuccino.
Unless you just want a pot of tea, you have the choice of ordering your tea in the following ways:
* Light Tea includes scones, Devonshire cream, fruit preserves, English tea breads, fresh fruit tarts and strawberries dipped in chocolate. The cost is $18.00.
* Full Tea includes everything in Light Tea plus a selection of tea sandwiches. The tea sandwich selection is: smoked salmon, chive & egg, cucumber & cream cheese, and ham & asparagus. The cost is $22.00. (This was my choice today. It's just enough food after a light lunch and I usually skip dinner when I order this).
* Tea Royale includes everything in Full Tea plus a glass of Mumm Cuvee Napa champagne. (This is what I was really tempted to order, because it just looked so decadent. I thought if I did, I'd end up taking a nap when I got home).
Tea at the Ritz is not something to do every day. It's something that you want to have with a special friend or friends so that you can be served tea in a lovely place while you catch up on the news and share a couple of secrets.
For more information try the following: The Ritz-Carlton, Boston at 15 Arlington Street - Boston, Massachusetts 02117 - Phone Number: (617) 536-5700 - Fax Number: (617) 536-1335 or try them online at:
http://www.ritzcarlton.com/location/NorthAmerica/Boston/dining.htm.
Recommended:
Yes
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
caroleg
|
 - Top 1000 |
|
Location: Boston, MA
Reviews written: 151
Trusted by: 185 members
About Me:
Live in Boston. Enjoy lots of home & garden things - especially epinions.
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.