Ooooh~I am so tempted to steal some bandwidth this morning and show you why I am traveling 500 miles for afternoon tea!

Instead you’ll have to stop by yourself to the Ritz-Carlton, Laguna Niguel on the coast of Southern CA and take the dining photo tour. They serve the best afternoon tea I have ever had the privilege to attend. Last year I imbibed with my mother and sister-in-law, but this year I’m taking my visionary husband so we can dream and experience it together. (If you do check out the pictures, you must take note of the CEILING of all places.)

I’ll at least use their description:

Afternoon Tea

Thursday, Friday and Saturday
$35 Royal Tea
Tea is served in the Fireplace Room of Restaurant 162’
Seatings are Thursday and Saturday at noon and 2:30 p.m. and Friday at noon

Spend a relaxing afternoon sipping tea next to the cozy fireplace in Restaurant 162′, while our pianist provides entertainment. Guests can select from Traditional Tea or Royal Tea.

The Royal Tea Menu
A Kir Royal Cocktail prepared with Chambord or non-alcoholic Berry Spritzer

Your Selection of Tea
Ham and Asparagus roll with Grain Mustard Spread on Wheat Bread
Smoked Scottish Salmon, Dill Crème with Caviar on Pumpernickel
Slivered Egg and Chive Salad, Sun-dried Tomatoes Cream on White Bread
English Cucumber Slices with Cucumber Cream on White Bread

Freshly Baked Currant Scone, Devonshire Cream, Lemon Curd and Strawberry Compote
Lemon Roll
Fresh Fruit Tart
Soft Chocolate Macaroon
Strawberries with Devonshire Cream

YUM!


The food is incredible, the ambiance incomparable (it’s in Wellspring colors, I love it!), but the SERVICE(!)~that is where it makes all the difference. The teacup is never cold or empty, nor the service intrusive. But of course, they’ve been trained by the best.

Now, to put this in perspective, I’m not traveling to Laguna JUST for the afternoon tea. It’s time for The Wells annual beach vacation with the extended family, including my tea teaching mother. The three Wells children will also experience their first Disneyland trip (they don’t serve afternoon tea there, I’ve already checked…haha).

But while I’m gone, I will continue to post and check emails, a first. Yes, this blogging life means my days of staying unplugged for any length of time are history.

(I’ll take my own pictures to post this year).

May you find a spot of beauty for afternoon tea as well.