Where: Palm Beach, Florida Style: Spanish Colonial / tropical Tea Selection: 7 loose leaf tea sachets by Palais des Thés Teatimes: Daily, 3 to 4:30 (last seating) Reservations: Required Contact:Reserve here, 561-655-6060 Cost: $68 Afternoon Tea Destination Tea Tip: There is on-street metered parking, and valet at the hotel.
Destination Tea Notes: If we had known that this afternoon tea was developed by un chef lyonnais, we would have known to expect fantastic food. After all, Lyon is the gastronomic capital of France, and the birthplace of famed chef Daniel Boulud, who incidentally is also behind the much-lauded afternoon tea at Tiffany’s Blue Box Cafe in New York City. In Palm Beach, Executive Chef Christopher Zabita and Pastry Chef Rosana Quintero deliver on Boulud’s reputation, expertly crafting a French afternoon tea menu for The Brazilian Court’s chic Café Boulud. With apologies to the longstanding Anglo-Gallic rivalry, just two English lessons would make this French afternoon tea one of our all-time favorites: a. how to brew a proper cup of tea; b. “Devonshire cream” is not chantilly cream. Although to be perfectly honest, the chantilly cream was such dreamy goodness, and thankfully plentiful, that you did not hear us complaining. We advise you do not miss this afternoon tea if you are in the area (just be sure to take our tea tips below with you). C’est magnifique!
Tropical plants and palm trees screen the cafe from the street.
The beautifully decorated lobby lounge, beneath a geometric wood ceiling.
We wouldn’t mind taking tea in this stylish cove we passed on the way to the cafe.
Walk through the glamorous bar with velvet and gold chairs, glowing bar, and shimmering coffered ceiling.
Wicker and dark wood chairs complement the tropical back-drop of komorebi created by palms outside the paned windows.
Appreciating the green accents to pull the hotel’s tropical gardens into this space.
Tea Selection
Guests may choose a tea or coffee (gasp). Tea drinkers will know these popular choices very well, but we like to see flavor descriptions to help newcomers choose their tea.
While we like the French country feel of this blue and white china pattern, we notice a problematic tea-to-water ratio. This three-cup teapot of hot water is meant to be poured over a single teabag in the cup.
Luckily, our server was willing to bring us a fresh pot of hot water and three tea sachets, so that we could prepare a full pot of tea to enjoy during our visit. Of course, you will want to remove your tea bags after steeping for the recommended time (indicated on the label).
We like that this Golden Darjeeling from Palais des Thés is organic, and that loose leaves are used in their sachets, to create a fragrant brew.
Scones & Spreads, Savories and Sweets
Jeweled eggs reveal a cantaloupe bite for the amuse bouche.
Et voilà, the three tiered tray arrives.
Four tea sandwiches were very fresh and delicious: Cucumber-Radish with cream cheese and lemon zest, an outstanding mini Lobster Roll (which sadly cast The Ben West‘s lobster roll in its shadow), Russian Egg Salad with pickles and mustard, and Smoked Salmon with crème fraîche.
We like this way of doing the scone course, with small scones in a variety of flavors: cranberry, apricot and vanilla. Their crumb was a bit softer, airier than a traditional scone, but they were delicious and freshly baked. They were paired with jams, as well as a large pot of chantilly cream (pictured above), all of which disappeared from the table quickly.
Perhaps the unsurprising stars of this French afternoon tea are the pastries, which are each masterfully crafted and completely worth the indulgence: Peanut Marble Cake, Vanilla & Caramel Choux Puff, Guava & Passionfruit Mousse, and Almond & Citrus Meringue Flower. Absolument fantastique!
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