On Sunday night, PBS will begin airing the second season of the greatest British Upstairs/Downstairs drama of our time, Downton Abbey. There will be war! And intrigue! And Maggie Smith! And manners! So what better way to celebrate then with a nice proper cup of afternoon tea on Sunday before settling in to check in on the Crawley crew and their (mostly) devoted staff. To that end, here are five spots—some fancy, some less so— that probably wouldn't upset the Dowager Countess of Grantham.
For People Who Don't Know What A "Week End" Is
If you want to High Tea it up proper, why not go all out and head to one of the fine hotel tea services available in our fair metropolis? There are many options but for that "how could I forget my opera-gloves?" feeling we'd go with either the luxe service available from 3 to 5 p.m. daily at the Astor Court at the St. Regis Hotel or, from 2 to 5 p.m., at the Palm Court in the Plaza Hotel. Teas, finger sandwiches, booze—they have it all. But it'll cost you. $48 per person for the basic service at both.
Slightly less fancy (and slightly cheaper), but no less charming is the five-course afternoon tea service downtown at The Inn at Irving Place. Monday through Friday tea is served form 3 to 5 p.m. but on the weekends they have seatings at noon, 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Celebrate Downton Downtown
Love manners on TV but prefer real life to be a little looser? Perhaps you might want to try a more casual tea room. To that end the tiny Podunk on East Sixth Street is about as charming and quaint a tea shop as you'll find with knick knacks aplenty and very good snacks to go with their inventive blends. Or step it up a bit and try the always entertaining Tea & Sympathy where you can enjoy terrific teas on mismatched china along with a surprisingly good selection of British bites (go in the morning and try the breakfast!).
Oh, You Wanted Tea With The Tots?
Some children can handle fancy settings. Some can't. But still, taking the kids to tea is a fun time and if you want to do it and not worry about upsetting the ladies across the room you'll probably be just fine at one of the three Alice And Wonderland-themed Alice's Tea Cup locations (though the waits can be fierce on an empty stomach, the staff is charming) or—if you are that kind of parent—there is always the American Girl Place where the tea is $20 and the seatings are at 4 p.m. Plus, seats for your dolls!
Actually, You Just Want To Buy Some Fancy Teas?
Well, in that case, there are pots of places around town you can buy quality loose teas at (including Alice's Tea Cup and Tea & Sympathy) but one option we've enjoyed is the restaurant/teashop Sanctuary T in SoHo. But that's just us. Where do you like to go for an afternoon tea? Or just to buy top-notch loose teas?
