Looking for the best high tea in Manhattan . . . .

[eastvillagegirl]

I am looking to see what you wonderful Chowhound's consider to be the best high tea in Manhattan. I've been to Lady Mendl's many times, which I love. Every since the Plaza Hotel has been bastardized, I won't step foot in it. Has anyone tried high tea in the Pembroke Room at the Lowell Hotel? Thanks for all your help . . . . . .

[apple11]

I recommend the afternoon tea at Bosie Tea Parlor. Huge selection of teas and fine pastries... Best Isphahan and Paris-Brest in town!

[alepenazzi]

I had a great afternoon tea at the bar of the "Pierre" hotel.
Great savory nibbles and sandwiches, good scones as delicious pastries.
The only downside is the place itself which doesn't have a view and it'a definitely nothing to write home about... But the afternoon tea is delicious..

[OhHowCivilized]

I really like the Pembroke Room, but my favorite is St. Regis. Just went to the Ritz Carlton and the afternoon tea service there was solid.

[waxyjax]

reviving this thread, cuz it's becoming wintery out and i'm all about adding a 4th meal to my days...anyone tried any of these places recently? there seem to be a good handful of solid options.

[HippieChick]

As far as I know, no NYC restaurant serves "high tea." High tea, correctly called so, is a rather low meal: working-class supper, though it can be delicious in itself---usually tea with a substantial meat course of some sort, not just little sandwiches or scones with cream and jam. What you presumably mean is called afternoon tea, cream tea or just plain tea.

[shesallthat]

Just to clarify my Alice's Tea Cup experience..there was nothing good about it and we went with such high hopes. They did have a large tea selection though. But everything from the atmoshphere..not cute..not cozy..not pretty..just kind of blah..to the service..bored waiters.lack of friendliess or interest and our waiter literally bounced the tiered tray on the table..to the table decor..good if you like chipped plates and cups..to the food..I kept waiting..surely this can't be it..surely the next little sandwich will be the one..okay maybe the scones will be to die for ..but no..perhaps the cookie at the end..major disappointment for me and my 14 year old..we do love Teaberrys but that's in New Jersey.

[shesallthat]

I've never been but I have always head good things about the Kings Carriage House.
STAY AWAY FROM Alice's Teacup..the one near Bloomies..the worst tea experience I've ever had.
http://www.kingscarriagehouse.com/

[Liquid Sky]

Thanks for the warning! Was thinking of treating my friend to Alice's Teacup... but now there seem like there are so many better options!

[Toot]

Kings Carriage House is not very impressive, not bad, but can't really call high tea. The pastries and sandwiches are average and the tea selection very limited and no loose leaves, you get a pot of hot water with your tea bag.

[alc]

I have very much enjoyed the Tea at Duane Park Cafe on Duane St although I cannot compare it with the others.

[Liquid Sky]

I LOVE THIS THREAD!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yay for Afternoon Tea!

[kosmose7]

I had afternoon tea at Pembroke Room at the Lowell Hotel today and everything was great until they served scones. A set of Devon cream and jam, which was brought out with the scones, was actually leftover from the previous customers. Yuk!

[Pan]

That's shocking! No place should do that!

[kosmose7]

* The Palm Court @ the Plaza, New York)
Good value for money, with sturgeon caviar and Maine lobster.

* Astor Court @ the St. Regis New York
Elegant ambiance and decent food.

* Star Lounge @ Ritz Carlton New York Central Park
Classic settings and fair food.

* The Lobby Lounge @ Mandarin Oriental, New York
View is better than the food, but even with the view alone it's worth it.

* The Gallery @ The Carlyle
Elegant and classic.

* The Morgan Dining Room
I haven't tried their afternoon tea yet, but the ambiance is really great.

* Lady Mendl's Tea Salon
Yes, I like this place too! :)

* Arabelle & Bar Seine @ Hotel Plaza Athenee New York
I don't recommend this place.
Food was mediocre.

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Lobby Lounge
80 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10023

Lady Mendl's Tea Salon
56 Irving Pl, New York, NY 10003

Palm Court
768 5th Ave, New York, NY 10019

Astor Court
2 East 55th Street, New York, NY 10022

Morgan Dining Room
225 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10016

Star Lounge
50 Central Park S, New York, NY 10019

[kosmose7]

Oops! I missed BG Restaurant @ Bergdorf Goodman.
Another good palce for afternoon tea with stunning view looking over the Grand Army Plaza.

I like their chocolate cake too!

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BG Restaurant
754 5th Ave, New York, NY 10019

[Motosport]

The Morgan Cafe @ The Morgan library gets good reviews for it's High Tea. I've never been there for tea but the space is awesome.

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Morgan Cafe
225 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10016

[Toot]

The Mandarin Oriental has a tea service every afternoon at the Lobby Lounge, the view and the room are lovely but I haven't tried the tea yet.

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Lobby Lounge
80 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10023

[sgordon]

+1 for the Mandarin Oriental Lobby Lounge. Lovely view, great room. I'm not a tea afficionado but my GF is and she loves it there.

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Lobby Lounge
80 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10023

[misora]

I've had afternoon tea at the Pembroke and it was lovely. The room itself isn't very big but it does have a nice intimate atmosphere if you want to have quiet conversations. The food was pretty good too and the service was wonderful.

My personal favorite in the city is at the Astor Court at the St. Regis, but over the weekend I had tea at the Pierre Hotel's Two E Bar and that was terrific too.

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Astor Court
2 East 55th Street, New York, NY 10022

[LeahBaila]

BG (7th floor @ Bergdorf Goodman) has a great high tea - $35/person includes tea, sandwiches, petit fours, scones.

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BG Restaurant
754 5th Ave, New York, NY 10019

[bronwen]

Actually the Palm Court at the Plaza looks great but I won't go until they sort out the Oak Bar fiasco.

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Palm Court
768 5th Ave, New York, NY 10019

Oak Bar
10 Central Park S, New York, NY 10019

[eastvillagegirl]

I took a walk through the Plaza recently, and I feel it has lost all it's soul. The Palm Court had the worst lighting I had ever seen -- very , very bright and terribly cold looking. Yes, the Oak Bar situation is sad. I loved the old Plaza, I just can't get into the new Plaza with no soul.