Tea Service
Our tea service is a chef’s choice meal. If you have medical dietary restrictions we will try our best to accommodate you. To enjoy Afternoon, High or Princess Tea we require a reservation 24 hours in advance. This allows us to prepare a proper tea assortment for your Tea & Dining experience.
*We do not have a gluten free or nut free kitchen.
Afternoon Tea – $24.95 per person
- Fresh seasonal fruit
- Assortment of small pastries
- Scones, Devonshire cream & curd
- Assortment of finger sandwiches
- Iced Tea, Lemonade or House Tea
High Tea – $29.95 per person
- Choice of soup or salad
- Fresh seasonal fruit
- Assortment of small pastries
- Scones, Devonshire cream & curd
- Assortment of finger sandwiches plus 1 hot savory
- Iced Tea, Lemonade or House Tea
Childs Tea – $16.95 per child (10 & under)
- Fresh seasonal fruit
- Assortment of small pastries
- Scones, Devonshire cream & curd
- Assortment of finger sandwiches
- Iced Tea, Lemonade or hot cocoa
The Origin of High Tea
The British tradition of High Tea began in the mid 1700’s as an afternoon meal usually served between 3 and 4 o’clock in the afternoon . Originally, it was a meal catered for the working man, taken standing up or sitting on tall stools, thus the term ‘high tea’ was born. Gradually, this late afternoon meal became better known as an A List event on the social calendars of Ladies and Gentlemen, rather than a meal for the working class men. For the ‘Leisure Classes’, High Tea served a practical purpose, allowing Ladies and Gentleman the opportunity to enjoy a substantial meal before attending the theater or playing cards. (It might be a long time before Evening Supper could be taken!)
It was around this time that one John Montagu, the Fourth Earl of Sandwich, had the idea of placing meat and other fillings between two slices of bread. Thus, the High Tea sandwich was created! Courtesy of the British Empire, the tradition of High Tea spread across the globe, arriving at The Carrington Hotel in the mid 1880’s, where it has remained a popular event ever since.
Now, you may be asking: what the heck is the difference between High Tea and Afternoon Tea?
Often the phrases “afternoon tea” and “high tea” are used interchangeably as many believe that there is no difference. Both tea traditions are steeped in British history and the differences, subtle as they may be, are a direct result of their origins.
Anyway, the point is…High Tea is served with a heavier meal or heavier finger foods, while Afternoon tea consists mainly of snacks and desserts. Simple!
We will also be serving High Tea at the tearoom and there’s no need to worry about which ‘class’ you belong to, at the Calla Lily -everyone is treated like royalty.