Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Taking tea in Boston

No, I didn't get to visit Boston (alas!), but my friend Holly did, and she gave me her blessing to share some of the details from her adventure taking tea and meeting one of the world's few genuine tea sommeliers! Holly also asked me to please say "Thank you" to blog reader Phyllis, who answered my plea for Boston tearoom recommendations a few weeks ago when Holly was planning her trip. It was upon Phyllis' recommendation that Holly and her parents sought reservations at Boston's Park Plaza Hotel and were able to enjoy afternoon tea before flying back to Atlanta Friday night.

Here is the tea tray containing sweets and savories and a cup of the Park Plaza 80th Anniversary Tea. It's described as "Our signature blend of crisp, clean, high grown Ceylon black with a touch of malty Assam, Chinese green, and a hint of jasmine and blended citrus." Holly says the teas are blended by Cynthia Gold, the hotel's tea sommelier, whom she and her parents greatly enjoyed meeting. Gold is actually one of the few tea sommeliers in the world!

The cranberry and raisin scones were served with Devonshire cream and jam.


Scones were followed by the contents of the tea tray, the sweets (chocolate truffle, chocolate covered strawberry, a pink petit-four with individual decorations on each, small slices of mild gingerbread) and savories (chicken salad sandwich, egg salad, tea-infused salmon, tea-infused pork). "I have to say that the tea-infused pork was my favorite," Holly said. "It almost melted in your mouth it was so good."

And finally, the tea experience concludes with a tea-infused creme brulee, which was her favorite sweet. Holly said she couldn't make up her mind which tea to order and was able to enjoy two pots of tea, her second selection being the Park Plaza Autumn Reverie blend. It's described this way: "Our own exclusive blending of full bodied Assam and Keemun and earthy Yunnan lightened with a 1st Flush Darjeeling, a touch of fruit, herbs and chrysanthemum petals." Doesn't that sound lovely? And doesn't the whole experience sound lovely? Afternoon Tea at Boston's Park Plaza Hotel is definitely going on my bucket list! Go here if you'd like to see their tea menu and learn more about the offerings.

7 comments:

  1. What an elegant setting for tea. The Park Plaza's coffered ceiling and chandeliers are magnificent. The tea menu and food look good. Thanks for the link.

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  2. Wow. That is all I can say. It is way too perfect. I don't think I could have imagined that tea. Thanks Holly.

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  3. So many delightful places to have tea. This one does look wonderful and the tea infused pork and creme brulee sound amazing. Thanks for sharing.

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  4. What a wonderful tea! I'm glad Holly allowed you to share it with us.

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  5. It was nice for Holly to let you share her photos and lovely tea experience. I have found a grand hotel afternoon teas to be the best choice in a big city.

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  6. What a wonderful experience and what a great setting for an elegant tea!

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  7. I also found out that the Boston Public Library offers an afternoon tea, but we didn't have time to try it. I guess that means I'll have to go back to Boston.
    But the Park Plaza tea was amazing and I would recommend it to everyone!

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