Destination Tea Reviews/New York

Destination Tea: Bergdorf Goodman, BG Restaurant

Posted on / 2 Comments

Where:  Midtown Manhattan, New York City
Style: Beaux Arts, classic
Tea Selection: 10 loose leaf teas by Dammann Frères
Teatimes:  Daily, 12 to 5
Reservations:  Reservations required
Contact: Reserve here or 212-872-8977
Cost: $100 BG Tea Service Royale; $75 BG Tea Service
Destination Tea Tips: In Bergdorf Goodman’s women’s store, find the elevators in the handbag section, and take one to the 7th floor to find the restaurant. You may want to request sitting by the windows that overlook Central Park, or if you are two, one of the tables with a pair of hooded bergère chairs to make you feel especially regal.

Prices and teatimes are subject to change. Please see our New York City Afternoon Tea Directory for the latest details.

5th Avenue entrance Bergdorf Goodman, NYC

Destination Tea Notes: Today’s review is a thrilling one for multiple reasons. Firstly, New York City is the #1 U.S. city for afternoon tea, as well as Angela’s birthplace, so a visit here invites happy family memories and high expectations for an outstanding afternoon tea experience. Secondly, Angela’s mother and daughter were able to meet her in the city, making this a multigenerational afternoon tea, which you know is one of the best kind. And finally, this is our first afternoon tea review featuring Destination Tea’s brand new “Afternoon Tea Scorecard.” Sound the trumpets!

Announcing Destination Tea’s New Afternoon Tea Scorecard

Having attended hundreds of afternoon teas, we have come to recognize a masterfully executed afternoon tea service. For those of you who are also longtime afternoon tea goers, you know what you like, and we know it may be different from what we look for at the best afternoon teas. Our Afternoon Tea Scorecard is geared towards the newcomers who are just learning about the tradition, to help them know what they can expect at a fabulous afternoon tea. We ask ourselves whether an afternoon tea met our defined standards for Venue Ambiance, Tea Selection, Tea Service, Afternoon Tea Menu, Scones, Table Service and Good Value. The best score an afternoon tea can earn is a 14. Going forward, you’ll find the completed scorecard at the bottom of each review.

Destination Tea's Afternoon Tea Scorecard, copyright 2024

Right! Back to the focus of today’s post: afternoon tea at BG Restaurant, which opened in 2005, overlooking Central Park, in Bergdorf Goodman’s women’s store, built in 1928. Notably, iconic luxury retailer Bergdorf Goodman is actually neighbors with The Plaza, whose famed afternoon tea we have yet to experience, but we were so glad we prioritized this afternoon tea. For half the price of The Plaza, you luxuriate over an expertly prepared afternoon tea in a classic New York establishment. Considering there are so many choices in NYC for visitors who must pick and choose, we want to emphasize that not all Manhattan teas merit their price tags, or unfortunately, as we have seen, their reputations. That is why we delight in sharing that BG Restaurant serves an afternoon tea we highly recommend.

elevator bank in Bergdorf Goodman, NYC
Elevators tucked into the handbag section will take you to the 7th floor.
BG Restaurant for afternoon tea in NYC
Stylish New Yorker ladies who lunch quickly fill the tables. The dining area, not grand in its height or breadth, is creatively furnished to accommodate plenty of seating.
BG Restaurant for afternoon tea in NYC
At the front of the space, by the host stand, a bar seats about 6 patrons.
balloon chairs at BG Restaurant for afternoon tea in NYC
Drapes can be closed to create a private party space at back. At right, two ladies enjoy their afternoon tea in the regal seating provided by light gold balloon chairs.
overlooking Central Park at BG Restaurant for afternoon tea in NYC
The BG Restaurant view at afternoon tea (note the light blue chinoiserie wallpaper print).
fresh flowers at BG Restaurant for afternoon tea in NYC
Autumn-colored chrysanthemums overlook Central Park.
mother and daughter at BG Restaurant for afternoon tea in NYC
When your mother takes the train in from the Jersey shore to meet you for afternoon tea…and packs her fascinator, you must respect her afternoon tea game.

Tea Selection

dammann freres at BG Restaurant for afternoon tea in NYC
Our server Scott was everything you’d hope for in an afternoon tea host. He was well versed in the tea selection, and helped guide our choices. Each guest receives a 3-cup pot of tea, and is welcome to ask for a second infusion.
gout russe at at BG Restaurant for afternoon tea in NYC
Dammann Frères’ Earl Grey spin-off Goût Russe was a hit all around.
hand blown water glasses at at BG Restaurant for afternoon tea in NYC
Classic BG teacups are contrasted by colorful hand-blown water glasses.
removing the tea basket at at BG Restaurant for afternoon tea in NYC
If we are not served a decanted pot of tea, the next best thing is for our server to provide a plate to capture our tea baskets and invite a second steep, which Scott graciously did. This is not our favorite method because it can be messy, and guests who are unfamiliar with steeping times may inadvertently leave their teas to oversteep, ruining a good tea (and then may think they do not like tea very much).

Scones & Spreads, Savories and Sweets

three-tiered tray at at BG Restaurant for afternoon tea in NYC
Hungry guests can also order off the yummy lunch menu.
afternoon tea for one at BG Restaurant for afternoon tea in NYC
Tea tray for one neatly presented, with so many tasty treats to explore. Seven savories included Egg Salad, Chicken Truffle Salad and Black Forest Ham finger sandwiches on soft bread, Deviled Eggs with Crispy Pancetta, Caviar Cream Puff with Crème Fraîche, Cucumber with Dill and Cream Cheese and Smoked Salmon with Caviar and Cream Cheese.
scones and spreads at BG Restaurant for afternoon tea in NYC
Cranberry orange and raisin scones with the perfect crumb are served with clotted cream (love the BG topper), housemade apricot and strawberry apple jams.
desserts at BG Restaurant for afternoon tea in NYC
Nothing exotic in the five desserts, but each was exactly the moisture and flavor you’d hope to find in these small bites: Chocolate Cupcake, Lemon Meringue Tart, Chocolate and Passionfruit Macaron, Frosted Shortbread Cookie, and (the outstanding) Lemon and Chocolate Cherry Petits Fours.
children's tea set at BG Restaurant for afternoon tea in NYC
In the Little BG shop down the hall from BG Restaurant, we spied this $175 Bergdorf Goodman bone china and 24-karat gold children’s teaset by Australian designer Cristina Re.
leaving Bergdorf Goodman after afternoon tea in NYC
Enter on 5th Avenue or here at the East 58th Street entrance, which faces the park.

Destination Tea’s Afternoon Tea Rating

Destination Tea rating of BG Restaurant's afternoon tea at Bergdorf Goodman in NYC
Post Views: 847

You May Like

, , , ,
DestinationTea
Tea Voyageuse, discovering the world of afternoon tea, based in Atlanta, Georgia.

2 Comments

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

We love comments! Destination Tea's comment policy shares a guiding principle with afternoon tea etiquette: please be gracious. We welcome honest comments that are not rude or scathing.