Pat’s Pick
O Christmas Tea
Season’s Eatings | Timely treats for your culinary calendar.
You’ve already inaugurated Phase I of your Kids’ Christmas Culture Course—you took the little darlings to see The Nutcracker. Now it’s time for Phase II: Introduce them to afternoon tea. True, a taste for Earl Grey and bone-china teapots may take a while to develop, but petits fours, finger sandwiches, and buttery scones with blackberry jam have instant appeal. Or hire a sitter for the wiggle worms and enjoy your tea party solo. Nothing wrong with that. patricia sharpe
Austin
Tea Embassy, in a quaint Victorian house, is filled with fine loose teas, tea accessories, and gifts for sale. Tea will be served, along with holiday treats catered by Amuse Bouche. December 9, 10, & 11, 1 p.m. & 3:30 p.m. 900 Rio Grande, 512-330-9991; teaembassy.com. Reservations required ($35). At the Four Seasons Hotel, a full tea will feature carols around the piano and Santa reading stories. Bring a teddy bear to donate to the Austin Children’s Shelter. December 3, 10, & 17, 2 p.m.–4 p.m. 98 San Jacinto Boulevard, 512-685-8300; fourseasons.com/austin. Reservations required (adults $35, children $20).
Dallas
The Hotel Adolphus’ special holiday three-course tea—modeled after the English royal service—offers precious little sandwiches, scones with Devonshire cream, tea cookies, chocolate truffles, and more. The lobby will be decorated, and a pianist will play. November 27– December 31, Tuesday–Sunday, 2 p.m.–4:45 p.m. 1321 Commerce, 214-742-8200, ext. 3186; hoteladolphus.com. Reservations required ($38).
Fort Worth
Guests at the Ashton Hotel’s holiday teas will dine on petite sandwiches, vegetable crudités with olive-walnut dipping sauce, herbed ricotta flan, scones with lemon curd, eggnog petits fours, candy-cane gingerbread cookies, fine teas, and a flute of champagne. November 9–December 31, Wednesday–Sunday, 2 p.m.– 4 p.m. 610 Main, 817-332-0100; theashtonhotel.com. Reservations required (adults $30, children under eight $16).
Houston
The St. Regis Hotel’s Remington Restaurant is serving a Teddy Bear Tea with menus for adults and children including assorted sandwiches, scones with Devonshire cream, and pastries. An “ice princess” will attend, and cookie decorating will be offered. Bring a teddy bear to donate to the Blue Santa program. December 3–18, Saturday & Sunday, and December 21 & 22, 2 p.m.–4 p.m. 1919 Briar Oaks Lane, 713-403-2754; theremingtonrestaurant.com. Reservations required ($48).
My Library
