Paris Ritz - Afternoon Tea - Vendôme Bar
 

Is the Vend&ocirc;me Bar at the Ritz the only place to enjoy Afternoon Tea? I checked the website &amp; it appears they don't do Afternoon Tea in the Espadon. Just wanted to double-check.<BR><BR>Has anyone here done the Afternoon Tea at the Ritz? And how did you like it? I know there are other places to have tea in Paris that are far less expensive (and I do plan to go to those places, such as Ang&eacute;lina, Ziryab Restaurant at the Institut du Monde Arabe, Mariage Fr&egrave;res, &amp; Ladur&eacute;e) but I just really wanted to try this experience at the Ritz, just once. : )<BR><BR>Thanks in advance ~ MaryC @&gt;-&gt;--&gt;---

From what I've read, I don't think expensive hotels usually do tea in the main restaurant. For an alternative, I think the Crillon is supposed to have a nice afternoon tea and it's not in a bar, but the Jardin d'Hiver room. YOu can see photos of it here<BR>http://www.parisdigest.com/hotels/hotelsframeCRIL.htm

Y'know, Christina, when I was phrasing this question I had you in mind. Thanks so much for the explanation!! And double-thanks for the recommendation! I will check it out.

Beatchick-you can go to the Ritz for a cocktail, I went to the Hemingway bar it was alomst English in feeling, but definately worth it.<BR>Also for tea you could try to hotel Maurice recently re-modeled and quite beautiful, and also Laundree(spl?).<BR>I think there was a recent post, you might want to do a search under Laundree.<BR>Best of luck.<BR>Viva la France<BR>Fluffy

Yeah, Fluffy, I hear the Ritz now has a new cocktail menu in honor of Hemingway's 100th anniversary. The only problem with the Ritz bar though is that it's a place for cigar smokers - and where cigar smokers are is no place for me! : )<BR><BR>I'm going to Ladur�e, too - can't wait!<BR><BR>Think I'll have to put the Crillon &amp; the Hotel Meurice on the backburner and put them on the list of places to go NEXT YEAR (and I DO have that list going already!!). : D LOL!!

It's very beautiful dining on the terrace for lunch. If you can fit it in your budget, it will be one of your most charming spots.

Hi Mimi - which one? The Ritz, Crillon or Hotel Meurice?

Hi Beatchick-please post a report when you return , just to let you know I have been to the Hemingway Bar at least 3 times and there were never any cigar smokers, and believe it or not hardly any cigarett smokers either... FYI<BR>Fluffy

The Ritz, it is lovely. with statuary et al, you'll feel you are in the countryside.

Cooool, thanks Fluffy!! I could always just take a peek inside to see if there is anyone cigar smoking. I would like to try one of the famous cocktails. Do you have any suggestions?<BR><BR>Mimi, DEFINITELY I'm having tea at the Ritz!! It made the list 6 months ago! I can't wait - it's one of my major splurges. I'll see if I can't get on the terrace.

Hi Beatchick-I am a martini gal, so I am sure that's what I ordered at the Ritz.I did buy a littel silver ice bucket that has the Ritz logo on it, very cool.<BR>Also I went to the George V fot cocktails, it's so beautiful; I liked it even better then the Ritz- it's just my opinion.The Ritz is still worth while, but I think the George V - is even more tastefully done.It's worth any excuse to go if you have time.<BR>Viva la France <BR>Fluffy<BR>p.s. I also love the Lancaster for that old Parisian feeling.

Beatchick- this is a postscript to my previous post- just a note the cocktails at the Ritz were really expensive- ($35- for 2 drinks including tip) that said I'd do it again in a heartbeat.<BR>Viva la France<BR>Fluffy<BR>

Thanks, Fluffy (I love it - this is my sister's nickname)! Out of curiosity, and you don't have to answer, but how much was the &quot;little silver ice bucket that has the Ritz logo on it&quot;?

Mary<BR>You probably already have it on your itinerary or list, or know about it already, but if not, I just wanted to let you know that the tea room in the mosque is very pretty. <BR>We stopped there for a restful tea break one afternoon with my neice and thought it was lovely. They have some pastries too.<BR>It's very informal and no great choice of menu but very relaxing too.<BR>Have a wonderful trip.<BR>Kavey

PS Fluffy is also one of my husband's nick names - he had his hair cut rather severely once and it all stood on end on his head - so his workmates started calling him Fluffy! LOL! He just grinned and took it on board!

Beatchick-hi it's Fluffy, the story of my nickname, is from the first night I met my fiance he implied I was a snob , and I said &quot;I'm just a fluffy girl&quot;-he's marrying me anyway so there.<BR><BR>The ice bucket at the Ritz was under $45, but that was in 2000- when the exchange rate was much better.<BR>As you walk to the Hemingway Bar, there are many glass cases with gifts and objects to buy, if you do not see it in one of the cases inquire at the bar.<BR>I asked our waiter if it would be possible to purchase one and he came back a few minutes later with one in a lovely box.<BR>Viva la France<BR>Fluffy<BR>p.s. They also sell robes with the Ritz logo, but I liked the ice bucket better

Beatchick,<BR><BR>Have a wonderful trip and report on any tea you have. I have always wanted to go into the Ritz but thought maybe the doorman would keep me out. It is ok just to walk in and take a look? I can't wait for your report. Spring in Paris is wonderful!<BR><BR>aj

Hi Beatchick!<BR> You might want to look into tea at the Plaza Athenee also:) Tres elegant~<BR>

A few years ago, we wanted to enjoy the atmosphere of the Hemingway Bar but it was closed....mid-afternoon. Does anyone know when the bar is open? We're going back again in April and want to make sure we get one of those &quot;special&quot; cocktails.<BR><BR>Sparty

Wow - I can just see my trips getting ever loftier with each passing year - next year I'll be having tea at the Plaza Athenee, Hotel Meurice, the Lancaster, the Crillon, the George V, and $35 for a pair of cocktails!! This year this was my one big splurge (well, I'll probably spend $35 or more for dinner but can't imagine spending that much for tea but I'M DOIN' IT!).<BR><BR>So Scarlett, what's it like having tea at the Plaze Athenee? I've seen pics of the lovely courtyard ~ is that where they have it? Sounds DIVINE, dahling.<BR><BR>Sparty, this is the link to the Ritz' website, the Restaurants, Bars &amp; Private Salons link:<BR>http://www.ritz.com/en/R0300.asp<BR><BR>This info below from the website:<BR>&quot;A photo exhibition of Hemingway's life as a war correspondent and a new cocktail menu in honor of his 100th birthday pay homage to the spiritual father of this mythic bar.&quot;<BR><BR>Open Tuesday through Saturday<BR>From 6:30pm to 2:00am<BR><BR>Tel: 33 (0) 1 43 16 33 65<BR><BR><BR>Ha ha, Jane! They might just do that. I read that they do try to keep people out of the hotel. But I read once that if you're dressed nicely and you walk in like you have reservations for tea that no one will bother you. So walk in like you're supposed to be there!<BR>; )<BR><BR>Fluffy, I love your story about your name! One must always be proud to be a fluffy girl. : ) I think I'd rather have an ice bucket, too. Somehow the robe just doesn't appeal to me. Maybe it would if I ever stayed in the hotel.<BR><BR>Mimsy, I take it you've had tea there, too, at the Ritz? I think you might even be the person who inspired me to try it. If so, my hat's off to you!<BR><BR>Well, since I'm having tea at the nearby Ziryab Restaurant of the Institut du Monde Arabe, I can't really justify doing 2 afternoon teas in one afternoon and only plan to be in the 5th one day I'm afraid I'll have to defer a tea at the Mosque to another trip.<BR>St-Cirq, didn't you tell me you had a wonderful tea on the terrace there? I'm afraid it would probably be too windy in April. Who knows - we'll see. Anyway, I can't wait to have lunch with you in Paris this trip! It'll be so cool to finally meet you. And I'm hoping dearly that you'll be able to spare some time to meander thru a street market with me.<BR><BR>Ciao!

LOL...I don't do tea, it was lunches and wine/apertif on the terrace.I don't spend time in Paris as I do in the provinces.You know more than I do.<BR>Have a wonderful time!

Someday, Cigalechanta, I'm going to DRAG you to Paris and show you some of my fave places and then you can return the favor by dragging me to the provinces to YOUR fave places.<BR><BR>And we'll definitely have to lunch at Le Train Bleu and have coffee at Les Editeurs and hunt for ol' Jack among the dusty books at Shakespeare &amp; Co..<BR><BR>: )

I expect you probably already know this, and for all my senile memory can tell me, perhaps you were the one who passed the tip on to me in the first place:<BR><BR>Re the Shakespeare &amp; Co book shop - once you have bought your books you can ask them to stamp them on the inside cover with the bookshop's own stamp. It's a nice memento though they weren't doing it unless requested when I was there.<BR><BR>Kavey

<BR>Beatchick,<BR>I remember your last trip to Paris and loooving Shakespeare and Co:) You know-all the times we have been there and stayed on the Left Bank, we have never gone to Shakespeare &amp; Co! So I guess I too must go back.<BR>We have not stayed at the Plaza Athenee, sigh, but friends did and we visited them at the hotel. I guess if one cannot actually stay somewhere, it is nice to have friends who do:)<BR>How great that you are getting to meet St Cirq in Paris!!! Whenever we go again, I am going to demand that all these lovely people, you included, meet me there too!!!<BR>Have a wonderful time,<BR>Scarlett (another light &amp; fluffy girl:)

I've heard good things about tea at Laduree as well-anyone have any thoughts on that?

Tea at Laduree can be good or you can be annoyed the whole time by impatient and harrassed waitresses:)<BR>We had the impatient and harrassed, liked Angelinas better..but maybe that was just an off day.

I read somewhere, Beatchick that there are beatnik readings that include appearences by Ferlingetti(Sp?)in June. A program will be a nice souvenir for you.

I forgot to say that those readings are at Shakespeare (ask him if he still keeps in contact with his Boston friends)

Hi Scarlett, my light &amp; fluffy friend!<BR><BR>Well, some think Shakespeare &amp; Co. is a bit touristy (no real French person would go there) but it is designed for Americans. Supposedly carries on the spirit of Sylvia Beach's original shop (which was located on rue de l'Odeon not on the rue Bucherie). And I love going in there to buy a copy of James Joyce's &quot;Ulysses&quot; or George Orwell's &quot;Down &amp; Out in Paris &amp; London&quot; and having it stamped with the Kilometre Zero stamp. Plus, the jumble of books intrigues me.<BR><BR>This was the place where I deflated that one guy's ego because he wanted to sell me some Kerouac-related books that he thought I might not have. But I'd already had both for at least 10 years (&quot;The Subterraneans&quot; and Carolyn Cassady's &quot;Off the Road&quot; - Carolyn was mistress to Jack at one point and she was wife to Jack's best friend Neal Cassady, who was featured as a character in many of his novels, including &quot;On the Road&quot;). I digress. And a felt a little bad about telling him as he looked so dejected but then I found out how rude he'd been to Kristin. ; ) Guess it must be that loyalty-to-friends bone in me!!<BR><BR>Good Lord, Cigalechanta, I thought Ferlinghetti was DEAD! I guess he &amp; Gregory Corso are the last of the core of Beats. I would LOVE to meet him, though. Is his bookstore in SF still up, running, &amp; thriving (City Lights Books)? Too bad I won't be in Paris in June. : ( Anyone want to start a Send-Beatchick-to-Paris-in-June fund so she meet one of her idols? Just kidding. : D Ask him if he still keeps in touch with his Boston friends? Does that mean a certain someone on this board (who shall remain nameless) corresponds w/him? ~Wow~<BR><BR>Hi, AmyLynne! I plan to go to Laduree as well. So I will let you know when I come back. There is another thread I started on Macaroons at Laduree. I will top it for you. <BR><BR>I'm going at breakfast so maybe they won't be so harried and harrassed that early in the morning, eh Scarlett? If so, I can always just go to the counter to buy a box of the macaroons!!<BR><BR>: ) Ciao bellas

Just when I thought that I had my longing to be in Paris urges controlled, these threads bring it all back to me in one big rush!<BR>Mary, you must write a detailed trip report and include photos!!!<BR>If I cannot be there at least let me pretend:)

Oui, oui, mon ami!