travelenthusiast

I will be going to New York for a weekend soon and am considering going to afternoon tea at the Plaza. Has anyone had any recent experience with this?

mclaurie

Not recently but some folks here have. http://www.opentable.com/the-palm-co...he-plaza-hotel. Somewhat less enthusiastic here http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-plaza-hotel-new-york

nytraveler

yes, once with my elderly mom - for a special occasion. She really enjoyed it - but the price is significant. Who are you planning on going with? (This is not something I would do with a child - just too expensive and they are unlikely to appreciate it.)

Oh - and if you do this either have an early light lunch or plan on a late, light dinner.

travelenthusiast

Thanks for the info. It will be my Mom and I going. It's something that I think she'll enjoy. I thought this could be our main meal of the day. We could grab a snack (or dessert)later in the evening.

EmilyPost

I've taken my mother, my husband, and my granddaughter on different occasions and they all enjoyed the experience.

nycuwsapt

I went 2 years ago. The surroundings were beautiful and we enjoyed our choice of teas, but, the food selections were disappointing. Most of the pastries were stale and inedible. I'm glad I had the experience, but, considering the cost, I wouldn't go back.

EmilyPost

Stale and inedible? At the Plaza? Two years ago? Sorry, I'm not buying it. We had a superlative experience 3 times in the last year.

travelenthusiast

Thanks for your help. I think it's something that she'll enjoy. I read that they take reservations for afternoon tea via opentable. Do you think we'll get worse service if we just walk in without reservations?

This will probably be our last trip to NYC together. Her ambulation is getting worse. I tried to cluster our activities in a small area so she won't have to walk that much.

EmilyPost

I would make a reservation on Open Table where you can note any requests or include any specific information such as this being a rather special occasion. The service will be the same but you won't be stuck standing around waiting for a table. I think you'll get a nicer table if you make a reservation on Open Table and perhaps a bit more attention. Please tell your server if you're not happy with the food. They'll address that immediately.

travelenthusiast

Thank you. I guess I'll have to get my Mom to commit on a time. I like schedules more than she does.

EmilyPost

Well, how about tea time? Or just go for lunch? Have a wonderful visit and good luck with everything.

nytraveler

I think you may be shut out if you try to go without reservations - depending on what day of the week it is and what time.

nycuwsapt

Emily Post- Maybe the service has improved and they have cleaned up their act since my last visit, but, if you read the review on Yelp you'll find out I'm not alone.

EmilyPost

As expected, the yelp reviews are all over the place, some negative reviews were included because of the COST. This is not fine dining, folks. It's tea, not Per Se. Go with the attitude that it's an expensive tea, enjoy the harpist, pianist, the history, the Palm Court, etc. and enjoy your scones, sandwiches, and tea. Take time to take a look at Eloise's portrait and just have a respite of an hour or so.

I agree that you should make reservations, which may be required.

I hope you have a lovely experience.

frugaltraveler

goodness ! We were just at the Plaza at their food emporium and visited their frozen yogurt bar... it was fabulous and expensive... but worth the fun of eating there.. if this a special treat for you and your mom, then DO IT !!

travelenthusiast

Thanks for your help. We're going this weekend for a mother/daughter weekend. I'll post something next week when we get back.

Mable01

Well I would like to admit that New Jersey has something different such that I don't even belong to the city but I always prefer to go there for visit and never forget to have my favorite food at sea highlands restaurant. Even I've had the tea of a plaza that is located at oceanside.

travelenthusiast

I have an update. My mom finally made a decision and said that she wants to go to tea on Saturday. I went to opentable for a reservation and they don't have any availability between 2-5 which is the time that is listed on the Plaza website for their afternoon tea. They only have 1 PM and 1:30 PM times available. Can your order their tea service with the little sandwiches during those times? Should we just try to walk in?

If she would have only made a decision in the beginning I bet we would have been able to get a reservation. I'm frustrated with her because I try to plan things that she'd like to do on our mother/daughter weekends.

biztravfod

Why don't you call the Plaza? They might be able to accommodate whatever you want.

Can't get in between what's going on with you and your mom, but my sympathies! Don't let her blame you if you can't get in. Personally, I'd take my mom to Bemelman's so at least one of us could have a triple Scotch.

travelenthusiast

I don't know about a triple scotch but I was planning on getting champagne with my brunch. She won't blame me but she will be disappointed. We might try to get matinee tickets at TKTS now for Saturday afternoon. We'll see what happens. We leave tomorrow late morning.