RSS FeedWhen Mom Comes to Town
All of us know the stress of trying to come up with fun things to do for repeat visitors. While museums and monuments are fantastic, when your visitor has been to see you several times before you want to come up with something new to do in your neighborhood. Of course there are tons of options in PQ, so this blogger is taking a look at one fun idea for when your mom comes to town.
Several years ago though, I was introduced to the somewhat pompus event that is afternoon tea. If you’re rolling your eyes right now you should know, this blogger was just like you. What used to sound so stuffy and ridiculous, is now something to look forward to when mom plans a trip to DC.
But you’re scoffing under your breath “Scones with lemon curd and clotted cream? Ha!” What if that was translated to: “Cookies with pudding covered in whipped cream?” Sure purists will say clotted cream isn’t whipped cream and lemon curd isn’t pudding. Fine, you eat them & tell me what you think they taste like.
Besides the scones (and of course the tea) you get a collection of small sandwiches and desserts. All of this in a fancy hotel setting, often with live music (ok it’s a harpist, but still) and hushed conversations. Your mom will be impressed, yet wont be able to pester you with questions like “when are you going to have kids?”
Mrs Columbo & I have hit many of the teas in DC hotels. Our favorite by far is at the Willard, where not only is the setting fun and the price moderate (moderate high?) but they also give you free food refills on any items you like. Free refills may not sound like such a big deal when paying roughly $40 a person, however compared to the comparably priced Ritz in Downtown it’s a steal. That Ritz is our least favorite tea so far; a bland setting, small tea selection, and you pay for any additional items you want.
A good first time tea is the afternoon tea at the Mayflower. One of the cheaper options, it features a very nice tea room and quality teas and food. So go impress your mom the next time she’s in town… and when are you going to have kids? You’re not getting any younger you know.
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Comments
The National Cathedral does a tour and tea on Tuesdays and Wednesdays that’s quite nice.
There’s a tour of the cathedral (several different themes) and then a tea in the observation deck of the tower. Spectacular view of the city, each reservation has its own table. I went on one of the angel tours in December and it was fun.
Great story and useful info.
The Four Seasons has high tea on Sundays from 2 pm to 5 pm. Location is good ’cause you can stroll G’town before or after the crumpets and Earl Grey.
If your guests won’t need their car during their stay, you might want to consider the parking ramp at Union Station. It’s been a while since I’ve parked there, but as I recall, it’s pretty reasonably priced. We’ve also had guests park in the long-term lot at Reagan.
Teaism has a great “afternoon tea” package with 1 pot of tea and a tower of treats for something like $25. Plus it’s usually deserted in the late afternoon.
Teaism has both traditional and japanese high tea: http://www.teaism.com/Restaurant/PennQuarterMenu7.html#AfternoonTea
Teaism isn’t a bad afternoon tea, Mrs Columbo & I have done that one before. But sitting in the basement depths of that small store isn’t quite the same as the tea rooms at the Willard or Mayflower.
Of course at half the price, maybe most people wont care. We tend to go to tea just a few times a year, so when we go I prefer it to be a nicer experience than Teaism.
The Morrison Clark is a great idea, honestly I didn’t even know the hotel existed but suspect it will be the next tea we try. Thank Anon!
Four Seasons has the best tea in town! Teaism’s tea is good, but an entirely different type of experience. The Mayflower just sets out a bunch of small pastries that they clearly just removed from the freezer – skip it. If your lemon curd tastes like pudding, it is crappy lemon curd.
Having just experienced Afternoon Tea at the Willard – it is the least of my favourites. It just didn’t do it for us, sitting out in the open “Peacock Alley” with scores of people walking back and forth all the time. I thought the scones/pastries very mediocre too. There used to be many more hotels who did excellent Teas but many ceased to do so. The Mayflower is good. The Morrison Clark is better. The Four Seasons is very pretentious, but great to people-watch, especially when famous people are there. I will try Teaism one of these days. Val…
The Jefferson did a very nice tea before it closed for renovation. The scones were incredible.
I hope they bring it back when they reopen.
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What I really want to know is where visiting guests can park for a few days! In my building, we have a public garage, and overnight parking is like $36, plus a charge each and every time you go in and out. Anyone know of a reasonable garage/parking option in our neighborhood??? (I know, it’s like asking for world peace, etc.!)