High Tea in DC

[sjm54]

A friend of mine and her 93 year old mother will be visiting from Florida this week, and I'd like to take them to a nice tea somewhere. I've heard the Willard is very good, but it is also a bit pricey for me, since it's my treat. What about the Hay-Adams or anywhere else? I know Blue Duck does a tea. Anyone been to that? The only requirement is that there is either valet parking or an easy drop-off place so the 93 year old doesn't have to walk far. Many thanks.

[anchor]

Recently had a wonderful high tea at the Jefferson. The setting is amazing, the tea is great and I can't recommend it enough.

[WashDC33]

I did some research a while back on this -- copied and pasted below (prices are accurate as of Dec. '10). The Willard is very nice. Four Seasons is good (though the last time I went was probably 6-7 years ago), but a bit stuffy in my opinion. I think that the Mayflower is great -- good tea and snacks and lovely atmosphere -- and a bit more economical. I've also been to the Henley Park Hotel (the least expensive of the bunch), but it was kind of a weird atmosphere (and not as great tea).

Mayflower Hotel:
http://marriottmodules.com/restaurant/hotels/hotel-information/travel/wassh-renaissance-mayflower-hotel/mayflower_cafe_promenade/menus/tea
$28 for Mayflower Tea
$35 for Mayflower Royal Tea (includes a glass of champagne
)
Wilard
http://washington.intercontinental.com/food-drink/peacock-alley-tea
http://washington.intercontinental.com/files/pdfs/Afternoon_Tea_2010.pdf
Traditional Afternoon Tea -- $39
Afternoon Tea Libations (afternoon tea with aperitea sparkler or glass of champagne) -- $49

Jefferson Hotel
http://www.jeffersondc.com/media/docs/greenhouse_tea_web_17_9.pdf
$39 Afternoon Tea
$55 Champagne Tea

Four Seasons:
http://www.fourseasons.com/washington/weddings/menus_and_catering/afternoon_tea/
$40 Afternoon Tea
$50 with champagne

Henley Park Hotel:
http://www.henleypark.com/coeur_de_li...
English Tea: $25
Royal Tea: $30 (with a glass of kir royal)

[Mulan]

I walked into the Four Seasons Georgetown a month ago and they told me they no longer held regular afternoon teas. I'm wondering if the web page is referring to an afternoon tea in the context of holding a wedding or special catering event.

[Flaxen_Vixen]

For a slightly different take on tea try Ching Ching Cha in Georgetown - it's a Chinese tea house and you can drop the 93 year old off curbside then park underneath Georgetown Park mall directly across the street. Their "tea meal" is delicious.

-----
Ching Ching Cha
1063 Wisconsin Ave NW Ste B, Washington, DC 20007

[MrsWheatie]

I assurme you mean afternoon/low tea; manners, lace and dainty foods. Where as high tea is more like a family meal served after work.

http://coffeetea.about.com/od/historyculture/a/High-Tea-Vs-Afternoon-Tea.htm

This link is a place for $25/person

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/750866

There are other recs, just do a search.