High Tea at the San Francisco Fairmont Hotel is a holiday tradition enjoyed by families every year. Though they serve it all year round it has become a truly special experience around the holidays. Each year features an enormous gingerbread house and impressive decorations.
So partly to inaugurate the holiday season and partly in anticipation of the upcoming fifth season of Downton Abby, I decided to go, for the first time, to a most enjoyable High Tea at the San Francisco Fairmont Hotel!
All the regular trappings were present, but with a delightfully modern twist.
Sandwiches were open faced, with the exception of the egg salad, and the scones were paired with the normal lemon curd and clotted cream, but also with a delicious chunky apple spread as well.
High Tea is a fairly predictable activity and I don’t mean that in a bad way. The traditional foods are part of the experience, but it was nice to see little new things here and there.
Interesting fact: what most American’s think of as High Tea, is actually Afternoon Tea. High Tea is a much heavier meal, served in the early evening. And in fact the name High Tea in England is associated with the middle and lower class whereas Afternoon Tea is the more posh, upperclass tea that Lady Mary might enjoy between clever quips and eye rolls. #DowntonForever
This was truly such a pleasant experience and one I’d recommend everyone try at least once. It feels immensely civilized and one could forgive the stereotypical British accent popping out now and again (I hope…). It’s a fantastic holiday outing for families and couples, young or old!
Eat Well, Travel Well ~ Samantha