Afternoon Tea at The Plaza: A perfect way to celebrate Afternoon Tea Week in NYC

Afternoon tea at the Palm Court in NYC's The Plaza

Last week, we celebrated Afternoon Tea Week in a grand fashion - inside New York's luxury hotel, The Plaza.

As noted in TeaTime Magazine this month, Afternoon Tea Week (August 7 - 13), has been celebrated in England for almost a decade. Per the holiday founder, Keith Newton, creator of an on-line tea guide afternoontea.co.uk, the purpose is to promote afternoon tea in all its forms, be it a simple cream tea at home or "an afternoon tea at a posh hotel."  We chose the latter, swapping London for New York, and with heavy emphasis on "posh".

Visitors are greeted with gleaming chandeliers and formidable marble columns

Timing was perfect for a teatime celebration. Last week, my husband, Chris, and I were visiting our son, Matt, and his girlfriend, Jenna, who reside in Brooklyn.  Although we've been to New York several times, and always take time for tea, The Plaza was still on my "to do list".  Knowing this, Jenna secured reservations for a 1:00 pm sitting last Friday, right in the middle of Afternoon Tea Week. 

The Plaza is located on 5th Avenue

Once inside, a serene oasis

The Palm Court, inside The Plaza, is where tea, scones and savories are served with flair and elegance. The Plaza, located on bustlingly upscale 5th Avenue and bordering Central Park, is a serene oasis in the heart of Manhattan. Once inside the front doors, visitors are greeted by formidable marble columns and glittering crystal chandeliers. A few more steps from the lobby to the Palm Court, tables are set with starched linen napkins, white teacups with green borders and silver condiment dishes filled with cream, jam and lemon curd - all under a canopy of pastel patterned stained glass.

Elegant afternoon tea in The Palm Court, chandeliers, marble columns under a canopy of stained glass

The tea menu offers several choices from the Grand Imperial Tea (which includes caviar service) to the whimsical Eloise children's tea (complete with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches). Our party chose the Central Park Tea, which came with the traditional Afternoon tea offerings of scones, sweets and tea sandwiches. Beautiful and delicious, the menu items were served on circular three-tiered silver trays. 

Barb and Jenna at The Palm Court. . . 

. . .along with Matt and Chris

The tea is expertly steeped and served. Loose leaf teas come from a BTS favorite, Palais des Thes and our group ordered Big Ben (an English Breakfast blend) and, the quintessential afternoon tea, Earl Grey, specifically, The de Lords.

Expertly brewed tea served hot and tasty.

The Plaza and its elegant tearoom opened their doors in 1907.  From its beginnings, the hotel was known for its opulence and, spanning decades, a favorite place to stay for many of the rich and famous including Frank Lloyd Wright, the Beatles and the fictional Eloise.

Afternoon tea includes warm scones, tea sandwiches and sweets

The Palm Court is a wonderful way to spend Afternoon Tea Week, although, we're certain any teatime at the Plaza is a celebration in itself. 

To see our "live" video of our Afternoon Tea experience at The Plaza, see our youtube channel short:  Barb's Tea Service - YouTube