Afternoon Tea at The Plaza Hotel * Age of Grace

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Afternoon Tea at the Plaza Hotel
Tea or coffee? Tea! I have a long and varied association with enjoying tea and planning tea parties. I can recall playing with my doll babies and having tea. As a Jack and Jill of America member, I planned an Afternoon Garden Tea for the boys and girls to learn etiquette. For our parents’ 50th wedding anniversary, my sister and I had an afternoon tea for our mother at the Ritz Carlton in Philadelphia instead of a party.

If you have been following me on this blog, you know my daughter Channing lives and works in New York City. I wanted to do something special to celebrate her 27th birthday and first anniversary as a New Yorker. I wanted to include her close friends from college, Arianna, Serena, Stephanie, Amaiya, and Justine—all of whom also live and work in New York City.

I am fascinated with all things history and trivia, so there were many choices when I decided to explore where one could have afternoon tea in New York City. Still, instead of walking by the historic landmark, The Plaza Hotel, I learned I could go inside and enjoy The Palm Court Restaurant’s splendor and luxury! That we did!

The Plaza recently underwent a $12 million renovation. Initially, The Plaza, a Manhattan luxury hotel, served as a residence for wealthy New Yorkers. Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt were the first to sign the register. For guests who chose to rent on a nightly basis at that time, this New York City Luxury Note’s single rooms started at $2.50 per night. Today, a single room rents for $695. They designated a New York City Landmark in 1969. The Plaza has been recognized as a National Historic Landmark since 1969. And has been a New York City landmark since 1978.

2005 Renovation at The Plaza Hotel installed a new metal frame and hundreds of panes of new leaded glass ceiling.

For over 100 years, The Palm Court Restaurant has been the fashionable destination for eating and afternoon tea. Ladies who lunch are no longer wearing gloves and hats but whatever is stylish. I could not help but notice all the young little girls enjoying birthday celebrations. While enjoying our afternoon tea, we took in the elaborate and well-appointed design of the restaurant.

The 2005 renovation at The Plaza Hotel installed a new stain glass ceiling. — The 2005 renovation at The Plaza Hotel included installing a new stained glass ceiling.

The Palm Court serves breakfast, lunch, and afternoon tea. The ladies and I enjoyed a formal afternoon tea instead of high tea. The timing and formality have everything to do with this delightful pastime. Our menu included tea; I chose Tuscan Pear Roobios Tea. Everyone enjoyed the dainty finger sandwiches. What kind did you say? Cucumber, strawberry, cream, organic peanut butter and jelly, assorted tries and sweets, delicate desserts, and freshly baked scones.