Destination Tea Notes: We have followed the progress of the afternoon tea service at this hotel since before it was the Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead (it was formerly Mandarin Oriental Atlanta). When we attended a Downton Abbey Tea at the new Waldorf in 2019, we were very happy with the setting and menu of the afternoon tea (excepting the French presses used to serve tea). After the hotel turned an open-air patio into its new Solarium (pictured below), we returned three times in pursuit of experiencing afternoon tea in the new space. Unfortunately, whether we reserved online, over the phone or via a Waldorf Astoria PR representative inviting us to see the new space, we were seated every time in a room across the hall instead. Likely a conference or banquet room, this space doesn’t have the character of Peacock Alley (where afternoon tea was formerly served), or the Solarium.
On our most recent visit for a winter holiday tea, we found the waitstaff, as ever, warm and welcoming. However, we feel strongly that the most expensive afternoon tea services should do everything excellently, and that was not our experience at the Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead. Scones were not scones (on some visits, instead they were giant (and also delicious) madeleines, and at the holiday tea they were scones in name only). What was listed as clotted cream was actually a chantilly cream. The limited tea selection we found to have several unavailable teas on multiple visits. At the holiday tea, simple white china teapots were used, which we were happy to see. On our previous visits, teas were served in French presses, which are both aesthetically inconsistent with a luxury tea, and from a practicality standpoint, messier than a teapot. On one visit, while pouring, the top popped off one of our French presses, spilling tea onto the table. We love when teas are properly brewed and presented decanted at the table, whereas the French press, even when compressed, allows teas to continue brewing, becoming bitter during the course of the meal.
This may feel like nitpicking, but the point is that with a few simple changes, this afternoon tea service could better merit the asking price.
The Solarium, in which we have yet to be seated for afternoon tea, despite our many attempts. The manager explained on our last visit that if it is a particularly popular time for afternoon tea (like the holidays), he serves it in the banquet room across the hall. [Image Credit: Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead]
Pretty light fixtures and high ceilings give this (banquet room?) some interest.
A harpist plays
Half of the room overlooks the courtyard garden.
Tea Selection
Tea Selection from May 2021
Tea Selection from December 2022
Champagne is poured first of all, then each guest selects a tea. At the holiday tea, simple white china teapots replaced the French press (hopefully for good), which is ungainly and allows oversteeping of teas.
Scones & Spreads, Savories and Sweets
Scones arrive first, wrapped in a cloth napkin to keep warm. One time, the scone course was an assortment of madeleines, canelés and “scones” served with jam and whipped cream. At our holiday tea, the scones have a consistency too spongy to be considered a scone. See the former Downton Abbey Tea below for a scone done well.
At the holiday tea
At the holiday tea, six savories include (the table favorite) Prosciutto Roasted Tomato Basil Pesto on Pullman Bread; Turkey with Butternut Squash Cranberry Chutney and Watercress; Gougere Lobster and Egg Salad; Smoked Salmon Dill Cream Cheese on Pumpernickel; Apricot Truffled Goat Cheese on Pumpernickel and Caviar, Cucumber and Crème Fraîche on Blini.
We appreciate the variety of ingredients used in the savory course.
Desserts at the holiday tea include Opera Cake, Pistachio Eclair, Fresh Fruit Vanilla Custard Tart, Ginger Bread Macaron, Chocolate and Cranberry Canele and White Chocolate Mousse with Raspberry.
Desserts are consistently yummy at the Waldorf, relying on popular pastries like macarons, fruit tarts, eclairs and cake.
A parting gift at the holiday tea – locally made truffles!
Downton Abbey Tea (2019)
Black-and-white geometrically patterned flooring recalls the Art Deco style of the early 20th century, apropos for our Downton Abbey tea.
Afternoon tea is served in this quiet rotunda off the main lobby.
We are seated in a secluded alcove, perfect for an intimate afternoon tea conversation.
Dressing for Downton Abbey
Several of the afternoon tea guests dressed in 1920s style, some in glamorous beaded, fringed evening wear and myself in country summer style.
Shoe closeup! Pale blue hose offset these thrift-store finds that looks like the 1920s “one-strap”.
Time for the costume contest! All the afternoon tea guests share compliments with the costumed guests as we take turns posing for pictures.
Congratulations Lady Kim! Looking just the part from her dress to her headpiece, she wins one of two prizes for a free massage or facial at the Waldorf spa.
Tea Service
We each choose one tea, and are welcome to switch them out as we like. I am so content with my richly flavored “Mrs. Patmore’s Pudding Tea” that I do not stray from it.
Teas here are served in a French press and classic white china.
Scones & Spreads, Savories and Sweets
The freshly baked orange and apricot scones smell delightful, and are just the right size and softness. They are served with clotted cream, peach and strawberry jams.
The savories are all very good with a couple inventive additions to the traditional, including cucumber with apple and cream cheese on pumpernickel, smoked Scottish salmon with citrus crème fraîche on whole wheat, Waldorf chicken salad on buttermilk biscuit, sweet potato and goat cheese quiche and the outstanding deviled egg with truffle mayonaise.
I admit, we don’t save the best for last. We dive right into the extremely wonderful chocolate mud pie, followed by a mini peach cobbler…
…light and creamy mini Victoria sponge cake and deliciously spiced hummingbird cake.
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Lady Kim definitely wins! I spotted that before reading that she actually did win the prize.
Jolly-O!