The British Are Coming!!

        We decided to change things up for Sundaylicious this week, and instead of brunch we went to have Afternoon Tea at The Four Seasons in Boston: http://www.fourseasons.com/boston/dining/afternoon_tea/.   What's the best way to celebrate St.Patty's day?...stay away from everyone in green and go have tea British style!   Afternoon tea is something I am very familiar with, as I use to go all the time with my Mother.  It was not something we reserved just for special occasions. We would go and have Afternoon Tea like people would go to Starbucks to get coffee.  My Mom and I would sit and talk for hours, just enjoying being together.  Afternoon Tea holds a special place in heart for many reasons, and my Mom is the one who introduced me to it.  There is nothing quite as relaxing (and delicious) as Afternoon tea.  I hold this tradition deep in my heart, and I am always craving a good Afternoon Tea session with loved ones.  I try and get my friends and family to go with me whenever I can, and this weekend I got my wish.

      Laura and I had a special guest with us for tea this Sunday.  Our friend Andrea joined us, so it was a girls day out on the town :-)  We had a 3:30pm reservation at The Four Seasons, and after getting blown around outside (when did it get so cold again?), we couldn't wait for a hot cup of tea to warm us up.  The Four Seasons is gorgeous, and they make you feel so welcome when you are there.  It is right across the street from the Boston Public Garden, so on a nice weather day you can take a stroll through the garden and enjoy Boston in all its glory.  Today, however, was an inside day with the temp under 30 degrees...which is the best kind of day for Afternoon tea!!!

        When we arrived at The Four Seasons, we were seated right by the fire place which made it extra cozy.  After we each picked our individual tea's to drink (I got the English Breakfast tea, Laura got Ginger Lemon tea, and Andrea got Rooibos Vanilla tea), our waiter brought over our tray of food.  This is the most exciting part to tea...the three tiered tray of food!!!  It is so fun, and you feel so fancy and special!!  Not only does your waiter pour your tea into your cup (with the cute silver tea strainer on top), but the three layer tray of yummies is to die for!! You feel like Royalty when you get tea and scones :-)  In fact I want to know why this daily tradition isn't done anymore?  Everyone would be happier and more relaxed if we had High Tea every day like the good ol' days.  The Brits knew what they were doing when they stopped for tea in the afternoon during the busy work day.  If I had MY way, I would have High Tea every day!!!  Anyway, back to the food! The first thing we ate were the tea sandwiches.  They had three kinds to choose from: cucumber, chicken salad, and smoked salmon.  Andrea was kind enough to trade my salmon sandwich for her cucumber sandwich (since I don't eat fish)....Thanks Andrea you're a true friend!!  The second course was two kinds of scones with devonshire cream, lemon curd, and strawberry jam...THIS IS MY FAVORITE course!!!!  The combination of the warm scone with the strawberry jam and devonshire cream is DI-VINE!!!  I could have had a million of them!!  The third and final course is the cute mini pastries.  We had profiteroles, lemon squares, and a walnut bread cake with honey and apple on top.  YUM!!! 

        By the time you are done your third cup of tea, all the tea sandwiches, scones, and pastries....you are one full and happy patron.  There is nothing better then Afternoon tea with loved ones!!  We give The Four Seasons 10 eggs for food, and 10 eggs for atmosphere!!  Utter PERFECTION!!  If you have not had Afternoon Tea before, I suggest you give yourself a reward and go.  You don't have to wait for a special occasion like a shower or a birthday.  Afternoon Tea makes any day a special day...and we all deserve to be treated like Royalty!!