Victorian Tea in NYC

So, where in the world is Paula? Let’s face it, probably at tea. I write so much about tea that I should probably rename this blog to Where in the World is Tea?

This week, it’s in New York City. You may not easily associate high tea with NYC, but there are quite a few lovely spots in the city to steal a few genteel moments. There’s The Russian Tea Room (which I’ve previously written about), The Plaza, and The Whitby. But, in this blog, I thought I’d introduce you to a few less obvious choices.  

The first is Lillie’s,  a Victorian-themed restaurant, bar, and tearoom in the heart of bustling Manhattan. 

As soon as you walk in the door, you’d swear you were smack in the middle of Cherry Tree Lane.

Nope, I didn’t find Mary Poppins sitting at the bar. However, this quaint establishment instantly transported me in both time and space.   

Afternoon Tea is an event.  The beauty, the portions, and the presentation all conspire to invite you to sit up straight, put on your best manners, and use all your senses as you savor the taste and the elegance. But eating off of the good china usually comes with a price tag. You can expect to pay upwards of $100 per person for high tea -which is fairly standard from London to Singapore. However, at Lillie’s, I have found a tea bargain. Afternoon tea for one is $45! That’s undoubtedly a bargain in any town but in New York City? There’s more.

Lillies is also your spot if you find yourself in the afternoon, torn between happy hour and tea. Why not go for a tipsy tea? Their cocktail menu is highly original. You can order The Sidney Poitier, made with fresh oranges, amarena cherries, and bourbon -smoked in bacon-fat-washed wood chips. The James Dean uses cinnamon-smoked bourbon, while The Humphrey Bogart is poured with cedar-smoked. The Marlon Brando, however, is mixed with Mezcal. But of course. 

For music (and vodka) lovers, they offer The Siouxsie Sioux or The Phoebe Bridgers. You get the idea. I’m not sure who owns this place, but after studying the menu, I’m pretty sure we could be friends.  

The other spot I’d like to take you to is The Cocoa Bar and Tea Salon by MariBelle. MariBelle is best known as a chocolaterie of gourmet chocolates. Oprah’s favorite, I understand. 

An exquisite chocolate shop sits in the front. 

In the back, you’ll find a Parisian-style cafe where you can indulge in a wine and chocolate pairing, an afternoon tea, a cup of hot chocolate, or an a la carte dessert. Of course, I chose tea. 

Which started with soup.  

The tea was decent, and I love the pomp and circumstance that comes with high tea, but if I were to return (and I expect to), I would order a hot chocolate. My waiter gave me a sampling, which gave me a craving. Check out the choices.   

I ended my visit to Maribelle with a shopping spree. How could I resist? 

Bergdorf and Goodman…I think not

As long as we’re on my favorite subject, tea, allow me to direct you away from a New York tea experience. 

Sometime during my blogging hiatus, I found myself in Manhattan thirsty for tea, so I walked over to the exquisite department store on Fifth Avenue: Bergdorf and Goodman. On the top floor, you’ll find a cafe overlooking Central Park serving afternoon tea, among other things. However, I did not stay and partake because the less-than-gracious hostess wanted to seat me on a bench at a crowded table with my back to the window.  Unsure how my thighs would clear the tables on my way to the bench, I said, “No thank you”. I decided that since I did not know these people, I would be so intimately sandwiched between that I would save my hundred dollars for another time -and a winged back chair -and a view.   

Still thirsty, I stumbled down to Central Park and decided to buy a cup of tea and a donut from a food truck. It was a lovely sunny day, so I wandered into the park, chose a bench next to the pond, and started to smugly enjoy my tea. I was feeling rather proud of myself for saving $94 while sipping tea seated smack in the center of The View. Until someone ( a good samaritan) yelled, “Watch out! There’s a rat at your feet!” 

And that, dear reader, is why you pay $100 for tea in New York City.   (or you go to Lillies for $45)

Looks romantic. But I can only imagine how this date ended.