Invited guests were encouraged to wear their finest festive attire to experience the introduction of the Fairmont Miramar’s California Blooming Tea Service. Held in the relaxing ambience of the hotel’s lush gardens and Koi Pond Lounge, everyone showed up turned out to the max – the men, by the way, holding their own in the hat department.
Luscious teas with a garden variety of names such as Allegria Jasmine Burst, Lovers 3 Flowers, Dragon 4 Flowers and Cote D’Azur Garden were accompanied by a selection of yummy sandwiches including smoked salmon with cream cheese, tomato and cucumber, chicken salad with grapes and freshly baked scones served with Devonshire cream and strawberry jam.
In case you are wondering about the origin of afternoon tea, here is an excerpt of a note on the menu: “It was 1840 when Her Grace, Anna – Duchess of Bedford, decided that eight hours was more than one woman should reasonably be expected to wait for her dinner, and instructed her butler to bring tea, bread and butter to her boudoir at 5 p.m. Finding this repast just the ticket, she began to invite her friends to join her for tea. Her guests would gossip and chat about the latest fashions and scandals while sipping tea and nibbling daintily on a slice of bread and butter – and a new social institution was born….”
So, grab a hat and a friend and enjoy a relaxing afternoon of refreshing summer teas and tasty, delicate sandwiches. It’s just the remedy for the harried lives most people live. And by the way, gossiping is allowed.
California Blooming Tea Service, Fairmont Miramar Hotel, 101 Wilshire Boulevard. Teatime is held from noon to 4 p.m. daily, and costs $28.00. Call the Grille a day in advance for reservations, 310.576.7777.
