High English Tea in New Orleans?

[puma]

I moved here a year or so ago and have been missing High English Tea (the last two cities I've lived in had some great places for it). I have heard rumors of this existing here in New Orleans but have not been able to find much concrete information about it.

So, where can a person get real English High Tea here in new Orleans? With the works: scones, jam, clotted cream (very important), tea sandwiches, etc. The real deal is what I am looking for.

If you know the days and hours, too (I am under the impression some places may only have High Tea on certain days) that would be great, but of course I can find this out myself.

Thanks much!

[Blumie]

It's been years since I've had afternoon tea at the Windsor Court, but I stuck my nose in this past Friday during the afternoon tea service and it looked as wonderful and elegant as ever.

[jfood]

The jfood stay at Windsor Court when they visit and the afternoon tea is great. And their favorite place to sit is in the bar area on some nice comfy sofas.

mrs jfood likes her scones with the tea, jfood (the contrarian foodie he is) normally goes for the quesadilla (made with brie). What better way to prepare for a great dinner in NOLA then a nice brie quesadilla and tea.

[edible complex]

http://www.windsorcourthotel.com/web/onor/onor_c4a3_le_salon.jsp
the above for days and hours

also:
http://www.victoriainn.com/tea.htm

[puma]

I am going to make reservations immediately at the Victoria Inn. I'd drive an hour any day for good high tea. Thanks for the rec.

[Clicquot]

The proper tea is "tea" or "afternoon tea". "High tea" is an inelegant affair served aroung 6 PM and consists mainly of leftovers.

[Rum Runner]

You're right, Clicquot. From Wikipedia: "Afternoon tea is a light meal typically eaten between 3pm and 5pm. . . . High tea (also known as meat tea) is an early evening meal, typically eaten between 5pm and 6pm in the evening. It would be eaten as a substitute for both afternoon tea and the evening meal. The term comes from the meal being eaten at the "high" (main) table, instead of the smaller lounge table. It is now largely replaced by a later evening meal."

[Bill Hunt]

Not sure about Wikipedia, but the term "high tea," is for the "common folk." Nowadays, it is associated with the gentry, though it was not always so. Many spots in the UK do call their afternoon tea sessions "high tea," though they are now more FOR the gentry, than was once the case.

Considering that the "evening meal," is normally consumed in the UK at about 9:00PM, an afternoon-evening meal, of sorts, is not out of question.

Hunt

[Panama Hat]

In Saveur magazine they distinguished afternoon-tea from high-tea as saying that the Queen would go to afternoon-tea but never to high-tea. You know the British.

[Bill Hunt]

From my experiences, I would concur with that statement. I'll also see if I happen to have any of my UK menus, and see if they titled their fete "afternoon tea," or "high tea." I would assume the former, as all of these spots were in Mayfair, and several just across St James & Green Parks.

Hunt

[Bill Hunt]

Four of six call it "Afternoon Tea." Two only list it as "Tea Service." None refers to it as "High Tea." I guess that the folk in Mayfair should know.

Hunt

[puma]

Well, seeing as I'm from the Bronx, I think I forgive myself for not knowing.

Afternoon tea it is. Although I am in no way the Queen.

[Bill Hunt]

Hey,

I still call it "high tea," and I should know better. My UK buddies usually just chortle and jab each other, at my "expense."

"Although I am in no way the Queen." Is that to differentiate you from the poster, who hates Petunia's? [Grin]

Hunt

[Hungry Celeste]

Afternoon tea is served at both the Winsor Court hotel and at the Ritz Carlton on Canal. Haven't had either one, so I can't give you a firsthand account.

[puma]

Thanks so much!

[swampsue]

I had the afternoon tea at the Windsor Court, twice, though it has been years. They definitively had clotted cream both times, and all the other requirements. Also nice champagne cocktails I seem to recall.

[Bill Hunt]

Wife has done both, and she really, really liked the Ritz' version. I've only done the Winsor Court's, and it was good - better than the Grill Room's dinner.

Wife does High-tea in most cites in the US, plus a few dozen per year in the UK, so she knows, better than do I.

Her favs are Claridge's (Mayfair) and the Park Lane (Mayfair), but she did really enjoy the Ritz. Did I mention that she really enjoyed the Ritz?

Hunt