Where: Boston, Massachusetts Style: Traditional Tea Selection: 30 loose leaf teas by J’enwey Tea Co. Teatimes: Saturday to Sunday, 12:30, 1, 3 or 3:30 Reservations: Recommended Contact: 617-598-5255 Cost: $58 La Reine Royale; $54 Taj Royale; $48 Taj Tea; $38 The Duchess; $20 Children’s Tea Destination Tea Tips: Look for the stairs labeled “The Dining Room” to find afternoon tea served in the French and Adams Rooms on the second floor.
Destination Tea Notes: Ever since its opening in 1927, Taj Boston has served afternoon tea, giving the experience here an air of traditional authenticity. We appreciate the gentleman playing classical guitar as an alternative to the usual hotel pianist. As the window-lit tea rooms fill with guests whose conversation swells above the gentle music, servers efficiently tend to us, and even provide our neighbors with a second round of their favorite tea sandwiches upon request. Of the two tea curates that come in sequence to serve six savories and then scones and desserts, we favor the culinary crafting of the savories and scones, over the dessert course that could be more interestingly delightful. And for we non-teetotalers, a special treat awaits (as an optional add-on), combining two of our favorite things: tea + cocktails.
Heading up to the tearooms
The wonderful musician, whose music reminds us of Spain
Draped windows create cozy seating areas with plush couches and armchairs.
Lamps intimately light tables laid with china and decorated with red roses.
Tea Service
Tea mixology going on at Taj Boston
I go with the Cheshire Cat (Ketel One cucumber & mint vodka, white blueberry tea, simple syrup and lime juice) and find it light, refreshing and the perfect prelude to our city tea.
Each guest is invited to choose a pot or carafe of tea. We share a carafe of iced white peach tea, a delicious good-bye to summer.
We finish with a pot of Moroccan mint green tea. Given that guests strain their own teas at the table, you may want to choose herbal or green teas that won’t become bitter from over-brewing before you are ready to serve the entire pot.
Scones & Spreads, Savories and Sweets
Several of the just-right sized savories give a nod to this major seaport by featuring seafood.
Classic deviled egg salad and puff pastry with crabmeat are tasty and light.
Hummus pita with shrimp and kalamata olive and smoked salmon roll-up with cream cheese and caviar (the best!)
Cucumber sandwich with cream cheese and tomato, and spinach-goat cheese tart – very nice
Yummy ginger and coconut scones with Devonshire cream and lemon curd are the highlight of this curate. For us, not a one of these desserts is hitting it out of Fenway. More sweet than delicately flavored, desserts include lemon macaron, chocolate truffle, chocolate-covered strawberry, caramel chocolate brownie, black and white cupcake and cookies.
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