Destination Tea: The St. Regis Bal Harbour

Where: Miami Beach, Florida
Style:  Glitzy solarium
Tea Selection:  24+ loose leaf organic teas
Teatimes:  Daily 12:30 to 3 (last seating)
Reservations: 24-hour notice
Contact: Reserve here, 305-993-3300
Cost: $82.55 Afternoon Tea
Destination Tea Tip: Remember cash for the valet. You will walk into the hotel and to the left to find La Gourmandise in the lobby lounge where afternoon tea is served.

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

exterior The St. Regis Bal Harbor

Destination Tea Notes: Having visited The St. Regis in our hometown Atlanta many times, we were curious to see how the afternoon tea at The St. Regis Bal Harbour would compare. The most striking difference is in the setting. Whereas The St. Regis Atlanta is traditionally, quietly elegant, The St. Regis Bal Harbour is boldly designed in drop chandeliers and geometrically patterned ceilings, glass, mirrors and glossy black floors, gentled by brightly colored flower arrangements, floral carpeting and curvaceous modern art. As expected at such an upscale afternoon tea, the food is creative and expertly prepared, the teas high quality and properly brewed. We learn that the French-inspired desserts are not repeats from the pastry counter of La Gourmandise (the French restaurant in the lobby lounge where tea is served), but rather especially crafted for the afternoon tea menu. And a major highlight here is the customer service. Our servers are gracious and professional, taking excellent care of us, but also friendly, surprising us with some comedy (read on). We dislike screens playing overhead in the afternoon tea nooks, but this unpleasantness is quickly remedied if you snag an outward facing seat, which gives diners a glorious view of the ocean.

foyer at The St. Regis Bal Harbor in Miami Beach, FL
Entering The St. Regis Bal Harbour
foyer at The St. Regis Bal Harbor in Miami Beach, FL
Splash of color in this neutral-toned foyer
mirrored hall at The St. Regis Bal Harbor in Miami Beach, FL
Walk through this stunning hall of octagonal mirrored rooms to the lounge.
posing in the mirrored hall at foyer at The St. Regis Bal Harbor in Miami Beach, FL
A good place for a quick photo shoot
Playing with our reflections at The St. Regis Bal Harbor in Miami Beach, FL
We can’t resist having fun with the reflections (hello, Grandma!)
lobby lounge at The St. Regis Bal Harbor in Miami Beach, FL
Multiple styles and color palates overlaid in this unique glass-roofed lounge space
view of the ocean at afternoon tea at The St. Regis Bal Harbor in Miami Beach, FL
Facing towards la mer
table setting at afternoon tea at The St. Regis Bal Harbor in Miami Beach, FL
Dusky blue slope-backed chairs tuck into yellow and ivory marbled tabletops.

Tea Service

teapots and infusers at afternoon tea at The St. Regis Bal Harbor in Miami Beach, FL
We appreciate that organic teas are served here, and that our servers quickly provide us with small plates to catch our infuser baskets, welcoming second infusions. We love the St. Regis Blend and Darjeeling Rose White.
glass teasets at afternoon tea at The St. Regis Bal Harbor in Miami Beach, FL
We admit to preferring bone china over modern glass teaware.

Scones & Spreads, Savories and Sweets

tea sandwiches at afternoon tea at The St. Regis Bal Harbor in Miami Beach, FL
Five not-so-petite gourmet finger sandwiches include Truffle Egg Salad with Quail Egg and Gold Flakes on Croissant, Goat Cheese Tart, Pea Cream and Lobster Salad on Brioche, Turkey, Brie, Strawberries and Basil on Cranberry Walnut Bread, and Smoked Salmon with Cranberry Mousse and Dill on Eclair Shell. Our young reviewer has just resumed her normal expression after gasping at the arrival of her tea sandwich plate.
scones and spreads at afternoon tea at The St. Regis Bal Harbor in Miami Beach, FL
Warm Blueberry and Lemon Zest scones are served with homemade raspberry jam and clotted cream.
desserts in a bird cage at afternoon tea at The St. Regis Bal Harbor in Miami Beach, FL
Served in a three-tier birdcage hanging from a silver tree, sweets include Strawberry Lychee Champagne Verrine, Black Forest Verrine (fabulous), Almond Frangipane Tart (a table favorite), Almond-Orange Financier, assorted macarons and bonbons. Passing the table, our servers chirp happy, “tweet, tweet”s throughout the dessert course, giving us a laugh.
verrine at afternoon tea at The St. Regis Bal Harbor in Miami Beach, FL
A “verrine” is a small glass, much like a shot glass, but used for food. The Black Forest Verrine is a creamy delight topped with chocolate art and edible flowers.
afternoon tea at The St. Regis Bal Harbor in Miami Beach, FL
Afternoon tea at The St. Regis Bal Harbour
DestinationTea
Tea Voyageuse, discovering the world of afternoon tea, based in Atlanta, Georgia.

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