Teatime, Ritz-Carlton, SF
Oh, what a perfect afternoon! Treated my friend to a birthday tea. Driving there was a hazard as the skies decided to open up on us, but no-one did anything seriously moronic, so we made it in one piece. Straight to valet parking ($20+$5 tip) instead of the usual lot. Everyone was so courteous and professional, incredibly welcoming and making even little nobodies like us feel like very special guests. (Reminder to revisit for another dinner - we loved the Dining Room).
The Lobby Lounge was straight ahead from the entrance, and they seated us immediately even though we were 20 mins early. A harpist was playing, the salon was very elegant, only thing missing were some paintings on the very large blank peach-wallpapered walls. Probably being cleaned or replaced. Got a perfect spot by the window all the way at the end by the piano, looking down on a very sodden tented-in Garden Terrace.
Both ordered a Premier Tea ($41) with Gloria Ferrer Champagne, Darjeeling and English Breakfast teas. Sandwiches were: Smoked Salmon with Pickled Onion & Caviar on Dark Rye, Cucumber, Roquefort and Walnuts on White Bread, Prosciutto with Melon on Light Rye Bread, and Hardboiled Egg and Chive Sandwich.
English Tea Cakes & Pastries are a little fuzzier - I know we had Scones with Devonshire cream, Lemon Curd and Strawberry Preserves, Currant Ginger Shortbread, something that was like a sugared jelly candy, and something like a baby muffin.
At the end of our tea, while the harpist played Happy Bday, the waiter presented my friend with a "Happy Birthday, Name" plate of strawberries and fresh cream with a couple candles, at no extra cost, which was excellent. 2 other parties were also celebrating. Very cool.
Everything was so fresh and delicious. This ranks as the best overall tea to date, surpassing the Garden Court, Palace Hotel (beautiful setting - stained glass dome, atrium, but stale sandwiches). Worst tea ever was at Union Square Neiman-Marcus' Rotunda (nastiest food, horrible fish smell, terrible service).
We'd already scarfed down half the food before remembering I wanted a pic. The waiter was so cool - didn't blink an eye at the request, and got us a pic with a loaded service.
Pastries tray: Madeleines, Chocolate Coffee Tarts, and the Lemon Tart Meringues.
Friend said all the china looked like Alice in Wonderland, a theme confirmed by the arrival of these teapots. Very cool looking, and very different than the traditional Chinese teapots used for later patrons.
The Lobby Lounge was straight ahead from the entrance, and they seated us immediately even though we were 20 mins early. A harpist was playing, the salon was very elegant, only thing missing were some paintings on the very large blank peach-wallpapered walls. Probably being cleaned or replaced. Got a perfect spot by the window all the way at the end by the piano, looking down on a very sodden tented-in Garden Terrace.
Both ordered a Premier Tea ($41) with Gloria Ferrer Champagne, Darjeeling and English Breakfast teas. Sandwiches were: Smoked Salmon with Pickled Onion & Caviar on Dark Rye, Cucumber, Roquefort and Walnuts on White Bread, Prosciutto with Melon on Light Rye Bread, and Hardboiled Egg and Chive Sandwich.
English Tea Cakes & Pastries are a little fuzzier - I know we had Scones with Devonshire cream, Lemon Curd and Strawberry Preserves, Currant Ginger Shortbread, something that was like a sugared jelly candy, and something like a baby muffin.
At the end of our tea, while the harpist played Happy Bday, the waiter presented my friend with a "Happy Birthday, Name" plate of strawberries and fresh cream with a couple candles, at no extra cost, which was excellent. 2 other parties were also celebrating. Very cool.
Everything was so fresh and delicious. This ranks as the best overall tea to date, surpassing the Garden Court, Palace Hotel (beautiful setting - stained glass dome, atrium, but stale sandwiches). Worst tea ever was at Union Square Neiman-Marcus' Rotunda (nastiest food, horrible fish smell, terrible service).
We'd already scarfed down half the food before remembering I wanted a pic. The waiter was so cool - didn't blink an eye at the request, and got us a pic with a loaded service.
Pastries tray: Madeleines, Chocolate Coffee Tarts, and the Lemon Tart Meringues.
Friend said all the china looked like Alice in Wonderland, a theme confirmed by the arrival of these teapots. Very cool looking, and very different than the traditional Chinese teapots used for later patrons.
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