Treat your mom (and yourself) to afternoon tea
Pinkies up! Ready to use your best manners? Take a break from your fast-paced day for afternoon tea, a leisurely luxury that's steeped in tradition and perfect for Mother's Day. Here are a couple of the Chicago area's best spots to properly do tea.
The Drake Hotel
140 E. Walton Place, Chicago, (312) 787-2200, thedrakehotel.com/dining/palm-court/afternoon-tea
The grand dame of afternoon teas, this Gold Coast gem has been serving traditional high tea since the 1920s, with some of its servers pouring the "Palm Court blend" for decades. Over the years this regal hotel has received royal visits from Queen Elizabeth, Princess Diana and the Empress of Japan, as well as Hollywood royalty, including the entire cast of "The Sound of Music."
Want to hear more stories? Sign up for the guided History Tour and Tea. The hourlong tour led by Amy Verdon brings hotel history to life in dramatic fashion. Celebrities sightings, ghost stories and Chicago history, along with afternoon tea, make for a fun outing.
Tea is served from 1 to 5 p.m. daily. Hear live harp music from 2 to 4 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. $45 for adults, $20 for kids 12 and younger. History Tour and Tea is $65 for adults, $38 for kids.
American Girl Cafe
Water Tower Place, 835 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, (877) 247-5223, americangirl.com/shop/retailinfo/experience-dining
Girls just want to have fun, and tea time at American Girl Place is one way to do that. This is a good introduction to high tea for little ones. Finger sandwiches? Check. Petits fours? Check. A booster seat just for your doll? Check.
Nosh on treats like Kaya's mini blueberry scones with Devon cream and fruit kabob, Kit's homemade pig-in-a-blanket, Rebecca's New York chocolate chip cheesecake, pink lemonade and more.
Served at 4 p.m. daily. $19 per person. Best for girls 10 and younger.
Gerri's Tea Room
144 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove, (847) 948-1724, longgrove.org/dining/high-tea-with-gerri/
In Long Grove, you'll find a spot for tea that fits right into this historic village. Clad in white gloves and an emerald green Victorian gown, owner Gerri Gwarnicki lays down lace tablecloths and serves up traditional high tea, based on what she grew up with in her native Ireland.
Be aware that Gerri's Tea Room is often completely booked for baby and bridal showers on the weekends, so call ahead for reservations. Make sure and ask whether a private party will be going on before you come so that you can fully enjoy the experience.
Served from noon to 4 p.m. daily. $36.
The Lobby at The Peninsula
108 E. Superior St., Chicago, (312) 573-6695, chicago.peninsula.com/en/fine-dining/the-lobby-afternoon-tea
Afternoon tea doesn't get more luxe than The Lobby at the Peninsula Hotel. Live classical music and elegant table settings set the scene for an unforgettable afternoon. Filling finger sandwiches range from smoked salmon on itty-bitty brioche buns to cute cucumber and cranberry chicken salad sandwiches. Two types of scones are served with your choice of preserves: lemon curd and English double Devon cream.
Kids will delight in the teddy bear-shaped ham and cheese finger sandwich and baby burger with fries. And the hot chocolate is served in a silver tea set. Alongside sweet treats of gelatin, gummy bears and pastries comes a stuffed Peninsula teddy bear to take home.
Seatings at 2:30 and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday. $65 per person, $39 for the children's menu.
Filini Restaurant at Radisson Blu Aqua
221 N. Columbus Drive, Chicago, (312) 477-0234, radissonblu.com/en/aquahotel-chicago/services
In a city known for its great architecture, the striking Radisson Blu Aqua stands apart. The world's tallest building by a female architect, MacArthur Genius Award-winning Jeanne Gang, it's no surprise this modern masterpiece wanted to do something unique when it started serving afternoon tea. No lace doilies or Victorian china here, instead you'll find what's billed as "modern tea."
Take your tea next to the lobby's 50-foot-long fireplace. Expect a contemporary four-tiered tower of tasty treats, with each layer containing a finger sandwich paired with a sweet morsel. Choose from a selection of Rishi Teas, which changes seasonally.
Available from 2 to 4 p.m. Friday through Sunday. $35. Reservations require a 24-hour advance notice.
The Celtic Knot Public House
626 Church St., Evanston, (847) 864-1679, celticknotpub.com/menus/afternoon-tea/
Care for a spot of tea? There's more than just beer on tap at this Evanston pub. The Celtic Knot brews a variety of Irish teas and serves an assortment of finger sandwiches - ham and stone ground mustard, egg salad and smoked salmon and dill - along with scones, mini tarts and desserts.
Tea time is from 2 to 4 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday. $19 for adults, $12 for kids. Reservations recommended.
JW Marriott Chicago Lobby Lounge
151 W. Adams St., Chicago, (312) 660-8200, marriott.com/hotels/hotel-information/restaurant/chijw-jw-marriott-chicago/
Chicago's newest addition to tea time is in this landmark building in the theater district. Throughout the year, they'll celebrate the arts with menus honoring popular shows. During the holidays they offered a "Nutcracker"-themed menu that included Clara's chocolate eggnog éclair. This spring they introduced a "Hamilton"-inspired menu.
Pull up a seat next to the lobby's fireplace and indulge in Dammann Tea, a Parisian tea brand that dates back to 1925. Tea here is served with a tea timer. The three color-coded sand timers are intended to help you brew the perfect strength cup of tea, but they're also a fun distraction for kids.
Bite-size sandwiches and sweet treats come beautifully boxed. My favorites? The lobster roll and bacon and cheese scone. The black pepper and foie gras macaroon was a once-in-lifetime experience as well. For kids, there's a special selection of kid-friendly finger sandwiches and sweets. Not to worry, they won't get a foie gras pastry.
Seatings from 2 to 4 p.m. daily. $45 for adults; $25 for kids 10 and younger. Reservations recommended.