Where: George Town, Grand Cayman Style: Luxe lounge Tea Selection: 7 loose leaf teas Teatimes: Friday to Sunday, 11 or 2 Reservations: 24-hour notice Contact: caymanrestaurants@ritzcarlton.com or 345-815-6912 Cost: $100 KYD Afternoon Tea; $55 KYD Children ages 6-12; $25 KYD Children ages 3-5 (plus 20% added gratuity) Destination Tea Tips: Dress code is island chic, and remember cash for the valet.
Destination Tea Notes: It just so happened that our visit to Grand Cayman coincided with the new Tea & Couture afternoon tea at The Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman. The event included a Dolce & Gabbana trunk show, violinist and realtime portraits by fashion illustrator Meagan Morrison. Even though afternoon tea is a special occasion on its own, we were eager to experience these unique additions. The idyllic setting of the Silver Palm lounge is the perfect cool oasis from sweltering summer days, while incorporating Caribbean feels into the afternoon tea: you sit among the potted palms enjoying island flavors throughout the menu. We like to experience a Ritz-Carlton living up to its reputation for an expert afternoon tea service, which this one nearly did. Do forgive any nitpicking in the comments below — these should be expected whenever we splurge on a high-end afternoon tea. While you’re vacationing in Grand Cayman, this afternoon tea is a memorable way to treat yourself to a gourmet afternoon tea, or for the budget-minded, you might try the Saturday Mad Tea Party at the Marriott or the two-course afternoon tea at Every Bloomin’ Thing. Because what is vacation without afternoon tea?
Walk straight through the hotel lobby to reach the lounge where afternoon tea is served.
The cream-colored room with low seating is enlivened by the sea green of the lounge bar. At right, see the violinist who played throughout the tea. We would have preferred a classic violinist to this electric one, so that we could better enjoy our conversation, which was hard to hear over the amplified violin.
An island-themed palm court
While this looks like a comfy setting for afternoon tea, the table comes to an awkward chest height once you sink into your seats.
Tea Selection
Let us begin with champagne – making this a royal tea.
Each guest receives a large 5-cup teapot of the tea of their choosing. We always appreciate detailed tea descriptions. The question is, why include the steep times on the menu, when you’ve left the tea leaves steeping loose in the pot?
We admired this Wedgwood English Lace china pattern, so elegant. We do dislike seeing high quality teas improperly brewed at upscale afternoon teas. How is one to stop the leaves from oversteeping when you are only straining one teacup at a time?
Scones & Spreads, Savories and Sweets
Smiles for the arrival of the tiered tray
Part of what makes an upscale afternoon tea special is the impossibly tidy presentation of gourmet creations, perfect for an elegant afternoon tea. Savories included a Mini Muffaletta, Lobster & Tarragon Brioche, Truffle Egg Salad Vol-au-Vent, Juniper Smoked Salmon with Salmon Roe and Dill Cream Cheese and Curry & Coconut Chicken on Coco Bread.
Vanilla and Coconut Scones had a perfect crumb, and were served with Lemon Curd, Cream (not clotted) and Raspberry Jam.
We enjoyed the mini delights offered, which though varied in flavors were heavy in the mousse department: Jasmine Mousse with Pistachio Sponge, Tropical Tea Mousse with Caramelized Pineapples and Pears, Milk Chocolate Fudge with Earl Grey Mousse and Bergamot Curd and Rooibos-Honey Comb Mousse with Honey Sponge and Lemongrass Gel. Little did we know, two more desserts were on the way!
The Tropical Layered Cake with coconut frangipane, passionfruit mousse and mango gel was topped with a chocolate piece……printed with a pattern to match this Dolce & Gabbana bag.
Let the fashion show begin! Is there a better accessory than a teacup?
We were invited to shop La Boutique in the Ritz after tea, where we could find these pieces from the latest Dolce & Gabbana collection.
Meagan Morrison’s illustration of ladies at Tea & CoutureHow did she do with this rendition of Angela?
To prepare a parting gift, each table was invited throughout the tea to send one person over to fashion illustrator Meagan Morrison, who would snap a photo of you and then create a portrait of you in your tea finery. Her afternoon tea scenes were printed on Ritz-Carlton postcards for us to take home as well, and we noticed she had also illustrated the tea menus.
How lovely! The food looks amazing. I have to agree that tea leaves left in the pot, leading to oversteeped tea, is not desirable at any price, but especially not at an expensive one!
Yes, the food was expertly done, even if it was a mousse-heavy dessert course (not exactly complaining). We are too often surprised at the lack of proper tea preparation training at upscale hotel teas.
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.
How lovely! The food looks amazing. I have to agree that tea leaves left in the pot, leading to oversteeped tea, is not desirable at any price, but especially not at an expensive one!
Yes, the food was expertly done, even if it was a mousse-heavy dessert course (not exactly complaining). We are too often surprised at the lack of proper tea preparation training at upscale hotel teas.