Back in the 17th century, the British upper class had tea with cucumber sandwiches, scones, pastries, or hot buttered crumpets every afternoon to stave off hunger pangs before dinner. They brought this tradition across the ocean with them, but it wasn't all smooth sailing.
Sunday marks the 234th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party, when Colonists dumped tea from British ships into the Boston Harbor to protest the duty on imported tea.
Clearly, we have mixed feelings about the stuff over here, but that doesn't mean afternoon tea isn't a lovely way to spend a winter afternoon. And during the holiday season, many places are expanding their usual service, also called high tea, with special treats and entertainment.
At Boston Harbor Hotel's Intrigue Café, the fire is aglow and two Christmas trees are a-twinkling, the perfect place to celebrate the season with friends or to take a break from Christmas shopping. Through December, Intrigue is putting the high into high tea, kicking off its daily holiday tea service with a flute of Veuve Clicquot champagne. (Children start their tea with hot chocolate or apple cider and a cupcake that they decorate themselves.) Along with the bubbly comes fresh strawberries and whipped Devon clotted cream. What a choice: Dip the strawberry in the champagne or the cream? We suggest alternating.
The next choice is which tea to drink. Intrigue offers around 18 varieties, from delicate white to stimulating green to tannin-heavy black, with or without floral or fruit flavorings. There are also decaffeinated and naturally caffeine-free herbal teas.
Then it's down to tea the meal, not the drink. And it's a pretty meal at Intrigue, with pink rose petals strewn around the tables. Offerings include small scones, preserves, and more of that rich whipped and sweetened clotted cream. The three-tiered tea stand arrives with delicate crustless sandwiches and tiny, colorful pastries: We especially like the melt-in-your-mouth maple-cream-filled profiteroles and fluffy flourless raspberry torte.
People pass by the cafe's big picture windows hugging their winter coats closer as the wind whips up in the harbor. A boat honks loudly in the distance. Inside, a pianist gently picks out "Silent Night" as dusk turns to darkness and tables slowly clear. As we leave, the host hands us a wrapped gift, and the seasonal cheer-o-meter hits 11.
Daily 2:30-4:30 p.m. $45, $25 children. Intrigue Cafe, 70 Rowes Wharf, Boston. 617- 439-7000. bhh.com
Other holiday teas
Taj Boston The hotel's second floor salon, the Lounge, has additional high tea seatings through December. This month's children's Teddy Bear tea includes storytelling by Mrs. Claus and cookie decorating. Bring a teddy bear or new toy to donate to a children's charity. High tea: Mon-Fri 2 and 4 p.m., Sat -Sun noon, 2, and 4 p.m., through Dec. 31. $20-$28. Teddy Bear tea: Fri 1:30 p.m., Sat 11:30 a.m., through Dec. 22. $50, $35 children. Taj, 15 Arlington St., Boston. 617-598-5255. tajhotels.com
UpStairs on the Square In addition to its usual Zebra Tea, the Harvard Square spot is offering a special Chamber Music Tea in the Soirée Room with a string trio this weekend. Through December, the children's Sugarplum Tea includes cute chocolate mice, grilled cheese and PB&J tea sandwiches, and gingerbread zebras. Place a new toy under the tree for Our Place, the Central Square daycare center for homeless children. Zebra and Sugarplum teas: Thu-Sun 2:30-4 p.m. Zebra $25, $32 with champagne; Sugarplum $14. Chamber Music Tea: Dec 15-16, 2- 4:30 p.m. $38. UpStairs on the Square, 91 Winthrop St., Cambridge. 617-864-1933. upstairsonthesquare.com
Boston Park Plaza Hotel At the gilded Swans Cafe, a player piano tinkles in the background and the room glows with gold and red baubles. Holiday tea includes tea-infused eggnog, scones with natural clotted cream, and an incredible tea-infused crème brulee. The children's Gingerbread Tea includes take-home gingerbread for every child who brings a toy to donate to Horizons for Homeless Children. Holiday tea: Daily 1 and 4 p.m. through Dec. 31. $32.50, $16.50 children. Gingerbread Tea: Mon-Fri 3-5 p.m. through Dec. 22. $32.50, $16.50 children. Boston Park Plaza Hotel, 64 Arlington St., Boston. 617-654-1906. bostonparkplaza.com
Gore Place For the special Jane Austen-themed afternoon tea and tour, the Great Hall has been transformed into a Victorian tearoom for a traditional English tea, followed by a tour of the mansion. Seating is communal, at tables of six. The final tea tours are Saturday and Sunday 2:30 and 4 p.m. $30. Gore Place, 52 Gore St., Waltham. 781-894 -2798.
