Best afternoon or high tea in SF or Marin?

[curlygirl17]

Looking for somewhere my husband and I might enjoy - not too frilly and lacy, maybe even with a modern twist. Any ideas?

[chefj]

Never have been but
The Ritz Carelton, Lovejoys, DarTealing Lounge and Cavillo point come to mind

[scoelius]

Samovar is the best in the city. Just delightful and 3 easy location.

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Samovar Tea Lounge
498 Sanchez St, San Francisco, CA 94114

Samovar Tea Lounge
730 Howard St, San Francisco, CA 94103

Samovar Tea Lounge
297 Page St, San Francisco, CA

[rosiella1]

Yes! Samovar. Bread Pudding and a nice cup of tea! Perfect and relaxing!

[CarrieWas218]

I'll agree with Samovar for the High Tea with a twist. Besides their classic "British Tea," they have full meal offerings with appropriate tea pairings:

Moroccan with grilled haloumi cheese kebabs, spreads and flat bread, and stuffed dates for dessert.
Russian with blini, salmon, beets and all the tea you can drink from their samovar.
Indian with fabulous curried tofu, rice, and raita served with creamy spiced chai.

and more...

If you want a more traditional, classy (and expensive, $30+ a person) High Tea, I recommend the Rotunda in Neiman Marcus. Make sure to order a pop-over...

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Neiman Marcus Cafe
400 Stanford Shopping CT, Palo Alto, CA

[Windy]

Only the Samovar at Yerba Buena (listed as Howard St) has the tea and food pairings from around the world. The other two branches are still charming. I like the matcha brownies.

Lovejoy's and DarTealing are girly girly/baby shower/Laura Ashley territory. Most men and some women would run screaming.

Tal y Tara tea and polo shoppe on California near 25th Avenue would be my other choice for afternoon (not high tea). Get a motorloaf or trifle and sit in the garden. Not fussy at all.

[bbulkow]

Palace Hotel. Amazing art deco room. Food a slice down from The Ritz, and not modern at all.

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Palace Hotel
2 New Montgomery Street, San Francisco, CA

[Fine]

"Afternoon tea" and "high tea" comprise such different menus--and usually times of day--they realy should be separate posts.