Spring Tea at the St. Paul Hotel

Kimmy was ready to celebrate spring and treated us to tea at the historic St. Paul Hotel! Good thing her birthday is coming up so we can treat her next!

We were seated at a cozy couch with a low table for this lobby tea.

I love how even fancy hotels are eclectic with their cups and saucers now.

This lady slipper cup and saucer was hand painted by a priest who signed the bottom.

Isn't Kimmy the cutest? She's so tea party ready! Love the fascinator and matching bag and shoes with the lilac skirt suit!

Savories: this is the vegetarian version but everyone else ate ham, Brie and apple tea sandwiches, spring vegetable salad on rye crisp, and a cucumber feta roll.

Emma, Jackie, Tiffany, Kate, Andrea, me, and Kimberly.

The three-tier tray of sugar cubes and lemons was dwindling but luckily mimosas magically appeared as we enjoyed the second course: spring vegetable salmon quiche with dill cream sauce or a mushroom version in my case.

The piano player added great ambiance.

Sparkly chandelier lit lobby with lots of marble and fireplaces.

Amazing fresh flowers.

Emma brought Kim a gift for her garden for hosting.

The tea is the hotel's signature black currant loose leaf tea. It's very good!

Have you ever seen so much Devonshire? She gave us each a heaping portion to accompany our scones.

Oat and blueberry scone with honey butter and of course the Devonshire!

Fourth course: mini Thai tea cupcake, lemon butter shortbread, strawberry short cakelette. And gluten free treats for Andrea: chocolate covered strawberry, macaron, and red velvet cupcake.

Fifth and final course: Boston cream pie 

Or strawberry cheesecake if you are free of gluten.

Enjoying our tea and treats

In the garden full of topiaries, flowers and friends.

The Landmark Center looks like a castle in the background.

Until the next tea partay!

Afternoon tea at the Phoenician in AZ

From the Grand Canyon to hiking Camelback Mountain to the refinement of high tea at a swanky hotel (thanks to Matt & Kim) Arizona was a fun trip. 

Welcome to afternoon tea at the Phoenician

Diane, Kim and I seated for tea.

What a view for our accompaniments

  

We enjoyed the Royale tea - unlimited champagne anyone?

Kim is served her tea sandwiches. This is the first tea I've been to that was British style with unlimited sandwiches and dessert. You have to tell them to stop.

Diane and Kim know each other from working in the bicycle company. She is from Quebec and was super fun to travel with.

English cucumber and classic egg salad.

Kimmy

Did someone say macaroons?

Piano accompaniment

Crisp asparagus and garlic herb mousse

Buttermilk and cranberry scones with devonshire cream, lemon curd and fresh strawberry preserves.

A lovely time was had by all!

Dr. Bombay's Underwater Tea Party Atlanta, GA

With such a kitschy name and being the closest tea shop to the hotel, how could one not check out Dr. Bombay's Underwater Tea Party?

Super cute tea shop. They also support an International project called The Learning Tea which supports young ladies going to school in India.

Time for tea! 

Quiche, pimento cheese sandwiches and scones 

Surfside Tea

Jeff and I enjoyed some relaxation on the North Shore.

Waves of Superior spa in Lutsen offers an afternoon tea.

First course delectable berry scone with lemon curd and a beautiful view of Lake Superior.

Spinach croissants, cheese, hummus, flat bread, olives, nuts and dates.

Macaroon and carrot cake cupcake

Taking Tea at the Cedarhurst Mansion

The Cedarhurst is a beautiful historic home dating back to 1868. They host a lot of weddings and the occasional afternoon tea. 

 Mmm tea and scones - cranberry white chocolate with devonshire cream.

Lovely presentation. Lots of dishes that I don't have to clean!

Deb, Kim and I were seated by the fireplace. The owner is so sweet and photo-bombed us :)

This tea has many courses. The first was a fresh spring salad with a fresh strawberry vinaigrette.

Love this tray - first like it that I've seen and it was loaded with savories:

Veggie quiche, tomato and pesto pita tea sandwich, cucumber, hummus and roasted pepper feta tea sandwich, turkey, blue cheese and apple tea sandwich, fruit and cheese skewer.

Such a beautiful mansion. A bridal shower was occurring across the mansion in the grand piano room.

Stately rooms that have hosted stately people.

Dessert part one: the freshest strawberry cupcakes you'll ever taste

Kimmy looking very British with her fascinator

Deb always has fun fascinators

Whoops should have wore a hat :)

Lemon sorbet with champagne to finish off our afternoon! YUM! Every party should end like this.