Restaurant Review: Holiday Teas make the season bright in Chicago!
Afternoon tea, according to Twining’s website, is a tradition that is a part of English history. It all started in the 1800’s when Anna, the 7th Duchess of Bedford who, at the time was a close friend of Queen Victoria and a prominent figure within London society complained of “having that sinking feeling” duringthe late afternoon.
It’s become a holiday tradition worldwide, as weary shoppers practice self-care in a stressful holiday season. Chicago is full of elegant places serving special holiday teas from now through January. We at Dean’s Team Chicago have pulled together a list of the best, family-friendly holiday teas in the area.
Teddy Bear Tea with KidCreate: Messy Teddy at Alma at Hotel Zachary, 3630 N. Clark Street. The Wrigleyville hotel gets you and your family into the holiday spirit with a festive tea service now through December 29. You, Teddy, and your children will enjoy a holiday-themed assortment of pastries, mini tea sandwiches, luxury teas by Rare Tea Cellar, and for the kids, house-made hot chocolate! For information and reservations, click here.
Just steps from the Chicago Loop’s Christkindlmarket, take a rest indoors at the Atwood at the Staypineapple Hotel, 1 W. Washington Street. The Atwood afternoon tea menu features eight loose-leaf tea options, along with freshly made cranberry scones, chocolate-covered strawberries, biscotti, chocolate mousse, housemade sandwiches, and more. For reservations and information, click here.
Sit in the lap of luxury at The Drake Hotel’sPalm Court, 140 E. Walton Place, where serving tea is a time-honored tradition on Chicago’s Gold Coast. On selected dates (which fill up quickly,) a live harpist and holiday carolers perform. Their holiday teas include such seasonal specialties as the Nutcracker, and the Sugar Plum Fairy, a bouquet of beautifully fragrant tea blends, decorative gourmet tea sandwiches, and cakes. Now through January, they are taking seating reservations from 11am-5pm (last seating). Each seating lasts 1.5 hours. For more information and reservations, click here.
Another luxury offering on the Gold Coast is the Holiday Afternoon Tea at The Peninsula Chicago, 108 E. Superior Street. The Peninsula’s 20-foot Christmas tree and lavish holiday décor enhance this special experience in The Lobby. Through January 5 (the holiday tree is taken down on December 31) the festive menu features a traditional English tea menu with a variety of finger sandwiches, scones with homemade preserves and Devonshire clotted cream, and petite seasonal pastries. Entertainment includes performances from a string duo, visits from Santa on Fridays through Sundays from 3:30pm – 5:30pm, and a magician from January 3 – 5. For reservations, click here.
Make time on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at Torali, on the 12th Floor of the Ritz-Carlton, Chicago, 160 E. Pearson Street, you can savor a holiday-themed selection of exquisitely presented pastries, teacakes, and sandwiches (anyone for an Egg Salad tea sandwich with caviar?) created by Executive Pastry Chef Toni and a selection of teas curated By Palais des Thés Teas. Make reservations now through December 22 by clicking here.
Spectacular views accompany the Holiday Tea at the Bridges Lobby Bar at LondonHouse Chicago, 85 East Wacker Drive,their festive Holiday Tea extends the season through January 12. Served daily from 11am- 3pm, this ‘Feast for the Senses’ begins with a hand-selected pastry basket, followed by an assortment of delicate treats served on an elegant tea tower, highlighted by scenic views of Wacker Drive and the Chicago River. For reservations, click here.
Alison Moran-Powers and Dean’s Team Chicago
