High Tea in NYC?
 

I'm bringing my niece (and her best friend) to NYC in April for her 16th birthday. We have a tradition of doing high tea, dating back to when she was very little, so I'd love recommendations of where to have tea in NYC. Thought it would be a good idea for late afternoon before the theater and then we could get dinner after the show without anyone starving! Thanks for your advice.

Can't help with a tea location, but you might find this article on afternoon tea and tea etiquette interesting:

http://www.seedsofknowledge.com/tea-etiquette2.html

First, you should know it's not &quot;high tea&quot; if you're looking for tea and sandwiches/scones etc. but <i>afternnon</i> tea.

If you want someplace fancy and grown up, the St. Regis Hotel (gorgeous room, all you can eat) is probably the best all around experience. The Pierre hotel has a gorgeous room but not as impressive and food not as plentiful. Either of the Ritz Carltons would also be good. The Mandarin Oriental (great view) would also be special.

For smaller places, Wild Lily Tea Room, Tea &amp; Sympathy, Lady Mendl's, T Salon.

Pierre Hotel, 5th Avenue ... extremely elegant &amp; refined ...

More cute and fun than formal = Alice's Tea Cup. They have both Upper East and Upper West side locations.

My vote goes to the St. Regis, by far.

maclaurie is correct. I am English and the noon meal is what lower-class Brits refer to as &quot;high tea.&quot; You want afternoon tea.

I have never taken tea at the new Mandarin Oriental near Columbus Circle, but tea at the Oriental in Bangkok is a very elegant, calming experience.

I adore the Pierre Hotel and would also recommend it.

Thanks so much for these wonderful suggestions, as well as the correction on my faux pas.

I'm partial to the Pierre. It really is a lovely experience -- gorgeous room, impeccable service.

I always take my mom for a mom-daughter tea chat at the Pierre or the St Regis when my parents are in town, both places are elegant yet cozy. I lean a bit more toward the Pierre, as the seating set-up is on lower tables and chairs, and feel less like normal dinner tables. For a non-hotel option, try the Inn on Irving Place around Gramercy Park, good food choices.