Tea-time tradition gains popularity once again
btuimucl. sneeuan
Staff Reporter
In today’s world of suburban
shopping malls and fast food, it’s
hard to believe that once upon a
time, women dressed up in their
finest hats, gloves and suits for a
day downtown.
1 here, they spent the entire day
shopping in just one department
store and ended the day over a
relaxing cup of tea instead of a
cocktail.
Well, at least part of that tradi
tion still survives in downtown
Chicago. Some of Chicago’s finest
hotels serve “high tea” during
weekday afternoons.
Although tea is considered a
British tradition, the afternoon tea
is catching on across the United
States, according to Rebecca Cor
retti, manager of The Greenhouse
commons of the Ritz-Carlton Chi
cago.
Corretti said the Chicago hotel
has been serving the 3 p.m. tea
since its opening about 11 years
ago, but rhe Rilz tea first started in
the Paris hotel.
Caesar Ritz started serving tea in
■ -
his Paris hotel and eventually the
concept moved throughout his
chain, Corretti said.
In New York, the other hotels
saw how successfully the Rit2 after
noon tea attracted customers, Cor
retti said, and the idea spread.
t63. T6VIGW
The Americans usually like their
tea poured, while the Europeans
would rather pour it themselves,
she said, because Americans like to
be pampere A. The server must re
member to ask for the customer’s
preference.
The Greenhouse commons of
fers eight blends of tea, she said,
including Earl Grey, Ceylon, herbal
and spice.
Our group decided the $5.50 tea
and scone selection would not put
a drastic dent in our travel budget.
This price includes two fresh
scones (similar to a baking powder
biscuit) with black currants,
whipped butter and strawberry
jam, plus an individual pot of our
favorite tea.
The $7 light tea and the $11 full
tea includescones in addition to an
extensive selection of elaborate
sweets. The you ng girls at the table
next to us spent more time playing
with their cream-puff swans than
drinking tea.
The sweets are baked at the
hotel which ensures the freshest
possible products, Corretti said.
Like days gone by, we decided
to dress up for the occasion since
none of us had the opportunity to
partake in afternoon tea before.
But for those who decide to stop in
after shopping, slacks and comfort
able shoes are common attire.
The Greenhouse commons area
is filled mainly with overstuffed
couches and comfortable high
backed chairs that we eagerly sank
into after walking all day in dress
shoes.
Large potted plants keep each
sitting area private. The ceiling
consists of greenhouse-type glass
panels which make the room airy
and light in addition to providing a
great view of the Chicago skyline
which towers overhead.
The long coffee tables nestled
among the couches already are set
with tea cups and linen napkins.
All one neeas to do is choose his or
her favorite blend of tea and settle
in for a taste of the Ritz-Carlton
tradition.
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The afternoon tea attracts a lot
of shoppers during the Christmas
season, she said, but in January
when the shipping season slows,
business people stop in.
Today, tea-time attracts both
men and women, Corretti said.
More and more businessmen are
coming in to talk office over tea
instead of over cocktails, she said.
Corretti said her staff receives
basic training in the art of serving
and pouring tea.
