So, with out additional (a lot) ado (about nothing)…
3. The Tea Lounge at Waldorf Astoria
WA’s Tea Lounge has quite a bit to advocate it – not least, arguably one of the best view of any tea spot in Vegas. The lounge (which has been present process renovation by early 2025 – verify earlier than you e book!) is pretty welcoming and fashionable, with floor-to-ceiling home windows providing a pleasant take a look at the center-north Strip.
Tea choice was good; I’m a traditionalist so I sometimes go for a sturdy black tea, of which there have been a pair good decisions. The meals was additionally of high quality, if possibly attempting a contact too onerous to be fashionable. For instance, I did fairly benefit from the savory choux-style pastry stuffed with whipped blended egg salad… however I’d nonetheless moderately have had an precise egg salad sandwich. Service was clean all through; no complaints there. And the worth of about $60 per particular person is a contact steep… however nonetheless not outrageous by fashionable Strip requirements.
My fundamental difficulty with WA’s providing is solely that all the things was excellent however nothing – meals, service, worth – was actually nice. Stable selection, however doesn’t rank greater than third on the Strip.
2. Afternoon tea at The Mansion (MGM Grand)
I imply, simply take a look at it.
So now you’ve seen these wonderful visuals and are speeding to e book, an essential qualifier: You’re not getting this tea except you’re staying at both the Mansion or, if the concierges are feeling good, the Skylofts. I don’t consider it’s even out there within the Mansion On line casino (MGMG excessive restrict tables) – and if it was, it most definitely wouldn’t be the identical because the extremely elevated expertise available within the Mansion correct.
As a result of, when it comes to service, that is far and away one of the best I’ve ever had for afternoon tea. Anyplace. Sure, that features some very high-end locations within the UK, too.
The tea choice right here was as diverse and glorious as you’d count on. Not like most different locations, they don’t go away a teapot. Due to course they don’t. Mansion visitors don’t need to serve themselves drinks! As a substitute, your chosen tea, steeped to perfection, shall be poured for you. Everytime you run low, somebody will magically seem to high you up. Critically, the servers have been so quiet and discreet that I normally didn’t detect their method. This was some Harry Potter shit, my associates.
Surprisingly, the place I felt this tea fell down very barely was the meals. Don’t get me unsuitable – it was all completely scrumptious, and I particularly appreciated the lovely tray of mini madeleines that got here together with the same old fare. However… mascarpone as a substitute of clotted cream? Small triangular American-style flavored scones, moderately than English-style as could be extra acceptable? Solely a pair totally different sweets, repeated to fill the sweets plate?
And earlier than anybody says it – of course that is nit-picking! At this stage, the hole to perfection is so slight that just about any critique shall be considerably nit-picky in nature. And at an eye-watering $120 – for one particular person! – there rattling certain higher hadn’t be any main points!
Don’t get me unsuitable: if you’d like that elevated service, you pay the elevated value. However, personally, I’d be okay with paying much less for merely “nice” service and fare that was, if no tastier, possibly a contact extra conventional. Which leads us neatly to my favourite afternoon tea in Vegas…
1. Petrossian, at Bellagio
First off. See these scones? On the small facet, spherical, and plain (or possibly with raisins)? Trying type of like (American) biscuits, besides much less salty/oily and a bit sweeter? These are conventional English-style scones, that are the type correctly served with afternoon tea. I like me some US-style “big triangle with like three flavors” scones… simply not on this setting.
The scones (which, by the best way, tasted improbable) have been accurately accompanied by clotted cream, butter, and raspberry jam. Easy and ideal. Equally nearly as good have been the sandwiches/savories, which I’m afraid your correspondent uncared for to take an image of (oops). The sweets have been on the identical excellent stage as these served on the Mansion; arguably higher, actually, as a result of my sister and I had a little bit extra to select from.
Tea choice was additionally glorious, and it got here loose-leaf within the pot with silver tea strainers supplied to put over the teacup previous to pouring! A splendidly old-school contact. The Dowager Duchess would have accredited, I’m certain. Milk and sugar have been accurately supplied on the facet for the strong teas my sister and I ordered… and the sugar was precise sugar cubes in a correct sugar bowl! (Come on, Mansion – you go to all that bother however you continue to use single-serve sugar packs?!)
In fact, everybody is aware of Petrossian’s nice ambiance and vibe doesn’t come low-cost. And it didn’t. However this tea nonetheless got here in at lower than $50 per particular person! About the one draw back I can consider is the chance for the venue to be a bit smokier than the opposite two. However nonetheless. For authenticity, ambiance, and worth, Petrossian’s afternoon tea is my favourite in Vegas.
