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High Teas In The DC Area  by Victoria Frost

The Ritz-Carlton, Tyson’s Corner
1700 Tyson’s Boulevard, McLean, VA 22102   (703) 506-4300

The Lobby Lounge - This sophisticated yet fun-loving venue is known for its specialty lunch platters, afternoon tea, and lively cocktail hours. Groove to the oldies at the Retro Dance Party, held in the lounge on Saturday nights.

The Hay-Adams Hotel (Tea Room)
Lafayette Square NW  Washington, DC   (202) 638-6600

Visited: March, 2001
Tea: Excellent. Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent. Appearance: Excellent. Comments: It's no longer a secret - the best tea in Washington, DC is at the Hay Adams hotel. Great food - ambiance - music - service.

We were a fairly large group and they gave us a corner table with couches and nice chairs. I've been several times, and the service can sometimes be a bit slow and confused. But if you get certain waiters, you're really pampered. It's a mixed clientele but usually consists of groups of women (who often seem to be celebrating birthdays or wedding showers) and business people. So it's quiet-ish. There's a lovely piano playing at the right sound level, and piped-in classical when the pianist is on break. The tea itself is excellent, with a large selection of scented teas, pekoes, and herbals.

You can add a glass of champagne or kir if you'd like for extra. The food is great. And, for a change at a tea (when food is at a premium, I guess from the days when women only "nibbled") there's too much of it! The scones were literally fresh out of the oven, served with Devon cream. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it! The sandwiches were great, and we of course had seconds.

We lingered forever, until they dimmed the lights to set up for dinner. Highly, highly recommended!

L'Espinasse at The St. Regis Hotel (Tea Room)
923 16th Street at K Street NW   (202) 638-2626
Reviewed by N. La Motta

The St. Regis was formerly the Carlton Hotel. Tea is served 3:00-5:30PM Friday through Sunday. Enchanting venue: tea is served in the huge lobby, lit with floor-to-ceiling French doors.

Service is impeccable, offering a selection of sandwiches, scones, and other sweets, cookies, tea breads, tartlets. Just when you can't squeeze in another morsel, the server brings a slice of cake of the day to finish off your tea ... Gorgeous at Christmas time.

On all my visits, a harpist has performed, or harpist and flautist. Conveniently located downtown.

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Updated: 05/08/04