Treat mom to an afternoon of tea, finger sandwiches
If you're looking for a different way to celebrate Mother's Day with your family instead of the standard buffet brunch, try going out for afternoon tea. Spots throughout the suburbs and Chicago offer a novel experience featuring tea service with finger sandwiches and desserts you can share that are perfect for the whole family or a mother-daughter day out. Make sure to call ahead for reservations, as most of these events are expected to fill up.
• Mint Julep Bistro, 53 W. Slade St., Palatine, (847) 934-3000; mintjulepbistro.com
Time: 1 to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturtday, May 8-9
Price: $24; $13 for kids
The Mother's Day tea at Mint Julep includes a spread of seven finger sandwiches served with a pot of loose leaf tea and a cup of soup. Dishes are served on a three-tiered tray along with lemon curd, jam and clotted cream that you can spread on apricot or strawberry scones. Finish with a selection of pastries and a chocolate-covered strawberry as an extra treat for Mom. You can choose from more than a dozen tea varieties ranging from herbals to English breakfast teas.
• Seasons of Long Grove, 314 Old McHenry Road, Long Grove, (847) 634-9150; seasonsoflonggrove.com
Time: 2:30 to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 9
Price: $14.95
Fancy hats are encouraged for tea at Seasons of Long Grove, but if you don't have one of your own you can borrow one there. The spot hosts a mother-daughter tea Mother's Day weekend, serving up a variety of finger sandwiches including cucumber salad in a pita and smoked turkey in a potato wrap. Choose from 12 loose leaf teas, including noncaffeinated varieties, served with sugar cubes and lemon wedges along with the three-tiered food tray. Nibble on cinnamon scones and apple streusel sponge cake with cream and jam and then follow it up with desserts including chocolate-dipped strawberries and key lime tartlets. Reservations are required.
• Infini-tea, 902 Main St., Antioch, (847) 395-3520; infini-tea.net
Time: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, May 10
Price: $30, $16 for kids
The small spot, which is decorated with antique hats and tea cups, offers its signature royal treatment tea service. Besides the usual menu of more than 60 types of leaves, guests will get to sample new teas, including naturally decaffeinated herbal varieties for kids. Options from oolong to white teas are available hot or iced, and if you prefer they'll also serve coffee. The menu includes soup and a variety of finger sandwiches including cucumber dill and chicken salad. For sweet treats, there are a variety of scones served with clotted cream, lemon curd and strawberry preserved and a dessert platter. Reservations are required.
• Palm Court at the Drake Hotel, 140 E. Walton Place, Chicago, (312) 787-2200; thedrakehotel.com
Time: Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, May 10
Price: $30; $16 for kids ages 4-12
A Chicago icon, the newly renovated Palm Court offers a wide menu of teas to sip while you sample treats from a three-tiered tray. Grab a spot by the bubbling fountain and listen to a harpist as you share finger sandwiches including ham with asparagus, egg salad and roast beef with crispy onions. Each diner gets their own pot, so you can keep refilling your cup as you move on to spreading fresh preserves, cream and butter on scones and banana bread and a decadent selection of French pastries including cream puffs shaped like swans and meringue tarts. Mimosas and bellinis are available for an extra fee. If that treatment doesn't leave you relaxed enough, moms also get a back and shoulder massage and a discount coupon for Elizabeth Arden Spa.