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Tea with Jam, Bread, ...and Kids!
Tea parties are the stuff of childhood: kids decked out in their finery, sipping airy tea and eating imaginary treats while surrounded by a menagerie of stuffed animals and dolls. Expose your tea party lover to the real thing at these local venues, which offer afternoon teas that cater to children.
Hotel Elegance
On an overcast Saturday afternoon, my friend Lisa and I brought our two kindergarteners, Jackson and Kayleigh, to the elegant Langham Hotel (250 Franklin St., Boston), which serves afternoon tea daily, 3 to 4:30 p.m., in its L’Orangerie restaurant.
After the first few minutes of panic (“Careful! Don’t break the china!”), we got into the spirit of tea service (“One lump or two?”). Lisa and I ordered the Windsor Castle tea service ($24 per person) with scones, tea sandwiches, pastries, and a choice of more than a dozen teas. The children’s tea ($14 per person) can be personalized for each guest. Our kids chose hot chocolate, scones, sandwiches, and pastries.
The items on the tea trays change frequently. On this day, the children’s tray included ham and cheese finger sandwiches; peanut butter and jelly rounds; swirled tea breads; lemon and cinnamon-raisin scones; frosted brownies; Boston creme pie-like cakes; and raspberry-topped chocolate candy cups. The adult service had elegant hazelnut tortes and green tea cakes instead of brownies.
While Jackson took the goodies off the tiered tray one by one, Kayleigh decided it was in her best interest to put one of everything on her plate all at once and then eat them. She particularly liked slathering the mascarpone cheese on the swirled bread and indulging her sweet tooth with the little layered cakes. Within 20 minutes of trying the foods on their tray, both children announced they were “stuffed.” They sat at a nearby window overlooking Post Office Square, making wishes and watching the horse-drawn carriages trot by, while Lisa and I enjoyed our tea.
Other hotels offer tea services for kids, but not all menus list children’s tea selections.
- On weekends, the Gallery at Ritz-Carlton Boston Common (10 Avery St., Boston) offers a Little Ducklings tea plate for kids ages 12 and under ($20), with seatings at 1, 1:30, 3 and 3:30 p.m.
- The Lounge at the Taj Boston (15 Arlington St., Boston) offers afternoon tea Wednesday through Sunday at 2 and 4 p.m. During December, the Taj offers a teddy bear tea with Mrs. Claus.
- Intrigue Café at the Boston Harbor Hotel (70 Rowes Wharf, Boston) has a daily tea service from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., with a pianist playing on the weekends. It offers a spooky tea in October and special holiday teas in November and December for children.
- The Swan’s Café at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel & Towers (50 Park Plaza at Arlington St., Boston) offers tea daily, 3-5 p.m., with a professional tea sommelier on staff. During the winter holidays, the Swan’s Café has a special Gingerbread Tea for kids.
Other Places to Pour
- UpStairs on the Square (91 Winthrop St., Cambridge), with its playful pink- and raspberry-colored walls, serves Saturday afternoon tea from 3 to 5 p.m. Call ahead to order the children’s tea, which includes chocolate mice, ants on a log (peanut butter-stuffed celery with raisins), and other kid-friendly goodies. The restaurant also hosts children’s birthday-party teas and special holiday tea events.
- After browsing the stacks, enjoy afternoon tea service Monday through Friday, 2:30 to 4 p.m. at Novel, the restaurant inside the Boston Public Library (700 Bolyston St., Boston). The dining room overlooks the Italianate courtyard with its Bacchante statue and fountain.
- North of Boston, try the Wenham Tea House (4 Monument Squ., Wenham), across the street from the child-friendly Wenham Museum. It's the oldest continually running tea house in the nation. The Tea House offers gourmet tea sandwiches and petite desserts Thursday through Saturday, 2:45 to 4 p.m. Special children’s teas are scheduled throughout the year and include a visit from animated characters.
- Although it doesn't offer a regular tea service, Gore Place at the historic Governor Christopher Gore mansion (52 Gore St., Waltham) hosts special events, including a Mother’s Day tea, a Jane Austen tea, and a Santa’s tea. These events often sell out, so reserve your spot early.
Reservations are highly recommended at these venues. So call ahead, teach your kids some tea etiquette, and enjoy!
(BPP, 2/08)
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