Destination Tea Reviews/Georgia

Destination Tea: Astor Court at The St. Regis Atlanta

Posted on / 9 Comments

Updated: April 2023

Where:  Buckhead, Atlanta, Georgia
Style:  Elegant Traditional
Tea Selection:  12 loose leaf teas
Teatimes:  Saturday-Sunday 2:30-4
Reservations:  24-hour notice
Contact:  404-563-7799
Cost:  $95 Holiday Teas; $75 Caroline Astor Afternoon Tea; $60 Child (ages 3 to 10)
Destination Tea Tips:  Pull up to the main entrance of The St. Regis to have your car valeted for $5 with Astor Court validation (bring cash for a tip). Reserve afternoon tea during different seasons or holidays throughout the year to experience The St. Regis’ changing afternoon tea menus and specialty tea blends (i.e., the Mother’s Day tea with roses).

Prices and teatimes are subject to change. Please see our Atlanta afternoon tea directory for the latest details.

Exterior St. Regis

Destination Tea Notes:  At the St. Regis Atlanta hotel, fashionably dressed afternoon tea guests wind their way up curling staircases to luxuriate in armchairs in the second-floor Astor Court, which acts as an indoor balcony, overlooking the beautiful lobby chandelier. In this setting, lovers of historical novels and period films should not be surprised if your first thought is, “if only I had worn a proper tea gown.”  Here you can easily imagine yourself in the company of 19th century high society hostess Lady Caroline Astor, whose son founded the St. Regis. And when an executive pastry chef is in the kitchen, you know your afternoon tea repast will be a treat worth every penny.

The hostess greets you at the top of the stairs.
At the top of the left staircase, a hostess greets afternoon tea guests. Go straight up!
Afternoon tea tables hug the balcony railing or bask in the sun from floor to ceiling windows
Afternoon tea tables hug the balcony railing or bask in the sun from floor-to-ceiling windows.
newly renovated Astor Court for afternoon tea at The St. Regis Atlanta
The newly renovated Astor Court, spring 2023

Tea Service

Uniquely, our server welcomes us by sharing the historical significance of the Astor Court's afternoon tea, then familiarizes us with all twelve teas and the seasonal Mother's Day tea by passing around samples of each
Uniquely, our server welcomes us by sharing the historical significance of the Astor Court’s afternoon tea, then familiarizes us with all twelve teas and the seasonal Mother’s Day tea by passing around samples of each.
choosing our tea at afternoon tea in Astor Court at The St. Regis Atlanta
Smelling jars help you choose your favorite tea.
Each guest selects one tea and may request a second steeping
Each guest selects one tea and may request a second steeping. We tried several and shared, including the St. Regis’ own blend with black currant and peach essence.

Scones and Spreads, Savories and Sweets

Lemon curd, clotted cream and jams await the scones
Lemon curd, clotted cream and jams await the scones.
Lemon poppy seed and violet scones arrive. One of our party declares the violet scones are the best she's ever had. We wonder at how the violet flavor is so thoroughly infused throughout the scone.
Lemon poppy seed and violet scones arrive. One of our party declares the violet scones are the best she’s ever had. We wonder at how the violet flavor is so thoroughly infused throughout the scone. Magic?
Cinnamon and Raisin Scones at afternoon tea at The St. Regis Atlanta
At our spring 2023 visit, Cinnamon and Raisin Scones are perfectly baked as usual, served with cream, lemon curd and strawberry, blueberry and orange preserves.
"Springtime savories" include roast turkey and spinach wrap with brie and apricot mostarda, green goddess chicken salad on whole wheat with heirloom tomatoes, smoked salmon flatbread with crème fraîche and caviar, and cucumber sandwich with watercress lemon aioli. All delicious and perfectly portioned for an afternoon tea.
“Springtime savories” include roast turkey in spinach wrap with brie and apricot mostarda, green goddess chicken salad on whole wheat with heirloom tomatoes, smoked salmon flatbread with crème fraîche and caviar, and cucumber sandwich with watercress lemon aioli. All delicious and perfectly portioned for an afternoon tea.
Two tiers of confections? If we must. Giving thanks to the expert hands who crafted these sweets, we oohed and aahed our way through a linzer cookie, chocolate cremeux with mocha, lemon blueberry tartlet, strawberry basil petite four and (the crowd favorite) a salted caramel and chocolate cone.
Two tiers of confections? If we must. Giving thanks to the expert hands who crafted these sweets, we “ooh and aah” our way through a linzer cookie, chocolate cremeux with mocha, lemon blueberry tartlet, strawberry basil petit four (great in-season flavor combination) and (the crowd favorite) a salted caramel and chocolate cone.
Three-tiered tray at afternoon tea at The St. Regis Atlanta
The three tiered tray at our spring 2023 visit has changed to a wheel shape with gilded ceramic plates, but the food remains outstanding.

Savories include (from top down): Smoked Salmon Pâte à Choux with tarragon aioli, caviar and apricot blossom; Cucumber and Herbaceous Cream Cheese on white with radish, Egyptian flower and microgreens; Spring Sausage Turnover with confit fennel and tomato basil bleu cheese; Curried Smoked Chicken Salad with craisins and candied walnuts on mini brioche; Egg Salad with sweet relish, bacon and spring greens on multi-grain.

Desserts include (our favorite) Guava Cheesecake with guava cremeux, french creme and vanilla pâte sucrée; Mont Blanc Verrine designed to represent the mountains in France with a flourless vanilla sponge cake, white chocolate mousse, housemade raspberry preserves, vanilla crumble and mini merengue drops; Chocolate Orange Layered Cake with mandarin mousse and orange coulis; White Chocolate Truffle with strawberry crunch; Hazelnut Napoleon with white chocolate pearl and milk chocolate St. Regis medallion.
Plenty of time for old friends to catch up and for new friends to meet
Plenty of time for old friends to catch up and for new friends to meet
the best seat in the house at Astor Court afternoon tea in The St. Regis Atlanta
On our spring 2023 visit, we were told this balcony table in the center of the Astor Court is the best seat in the house, and we certainly enjoyed ourselves, perched above the live music in the lobby below.
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DestinationTea
Tea Voyageuse, discovering the world of afternoon tea, based in Atlanta, Georgia.

9 Comments

  1. What a fun way to spend a Sunday afternoon! The St. Regis Atlanta Hotel was luxurious and ornate, yet welcoming. Our server was a wealth of knowledge in regards to the historical significance of the Astor Court’s afternoon tea and the wonderful selection of teas they offered. I appreciated having the opportunity to hear about each tea, and to be able to smell the tea leaves prior to making our selections.

    The yummy confections, scones, and flatbread sandwiches were fantastic and well proportioned for an afternoon tea. The violet scones, lemon curd, and clotted cream were a favorite around the table. Again, a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon with friends!

    Reply

    2. My birthday is also on the 15th. My husband is bringing me on the 13th. The afternoon tea is weekends only.

      Reply

  3. I would love to bring my mom in for Mother’s Day. Are there any savory substitutions that would be vegetarian friendly?

    Reply

    1. Hello Kaylee, the St. Regis typically serves a monthly themed menu, and looks like they will be doing Alice in Wonderland in May. Typically, any high-end hotel tea will be able to accommodate vegetarian substitutions. I suggest calling ahead to confirm, and hope your mother and you have a wonderful time!

      Reply

  4. Can I make a reservation for tea on November 26th at 2:15 p.m ? Please let me know how to proceed. I could not make contact by phone.
    Thank you,
    Cheryl

    Reply

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