{"id":25825,"date":"2016-12-06T17:49:13","date_gmt":"2016-12-06T17:49:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/itsnotaboutme.tv\/news\/?p=25825"},"modified":"2016-12-06T17:49:13","modified_gmt":"2016-12-06T17:49:13","slug":"dining-langham-hotel-afternoon-tea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/itsnotaboutme.tv\/news\/dining-langham-hotel-afternoon-tea\/","title":{"rendered":"DINING: LANGHAM HOTEL AFTERNOON TEA"},"content":{"rendered":"

LANGHAM HOTEL AFTERNOON TEA<\/h1>\n

When I was in New York recently, I attended a beautiful event at the Langham Place hotel in midtown. (You can read all about it here: itsnotaboutme.tv\/news\/new-yorkparties-langham-hospitality-group-cocktail-party<\/a>.) It whetted my appetite to explore its sister site that\u2019s right here in my own backyard.<\/p>\n

\"Photo<\/a>

Photo by Karen Salkin, as is the big one at the top of the page.<\/p><\/div>\n

When I learned that the Langham Hotel in Pasadena serves Afternoon Tea, I could not wait to go! And what better way to kick-off the holiday season than with doing just that the day after Thanksgiving?! Mr. X even came with me, which you know is rare. But I had a feeling that this would be so special that I\u2019d want to share it with him<\/em>, rather than with my Femme Fatales this time. And I was correct! It was gorgeous from beginning to end, especially at this time of year.<\/p>\n

First of all, the hotel itself is exquisite. In all the times I had been to Pasadena, I had never even been aware of the Langham! It\u2019s in a very different section of town, and getting there was half the fun. It\u2019s in what looks to us to be the \u201cBel-Air of Pasadena.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Photo<\/a>

Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n

And their holiday decorations are stunning! There are several different Christmas trees, and wreaths and colored balls everywhere, and even an incredible gingerbread village! There are visual treats at every turn.<\/p>\n

Before I tell you about the Langham\u2019s tea in specific, I have to mention that people always point-out to me that Afternoon Teas are usually a tad pricey. But let me tell you–that repast is soooo worth the splurge. In addition to how wonderful and relaxing it is, (not to mention a boost to the soul, in my opinion,) you never need to eat lunch or dinner on the day of! And the one at the Langham is, shockingly (for how wonderful it is,) actually less costly than just about every other hotel in Los Angeles. And there, you feel like you\u2019re out of town for the day! It\u2019s like an oasis in the big city.<\/p>\n

\"Photo<\/a>

Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n

Mr. X deemed it to be a \u201cgrand tea,\u201d as opposed to a cozy one, an assessment I agree with. Seriously, I felt like I was in a romantic movie! (Having Mr. X there may have helped that aura.) The look of the area where the tea is served, in the Lobby Lounge, is like none other than I\u2019ve experienced before. The beauty begins as you walk in, and your eyes are treated to the panorama. The giant windows look out onto manicured green grounds. And Mr. X pointed-out that everything is \u201celegantly spotless.\u201d<\/p>\n

The mood is set from the get-go by pianist Jacquelyn Johnson. She played special holiday music in addition to traditional songs, and it was all just what the doctor ordered. We actually missed it when it was over while we were still lingering.<\/p>\n

\"Karen<\/a>

Karen Salkin and Mr. X toasting with their pink champagne. Photo by Mr. X (who, apparently, is ambidextrous!)<\/p><\/div>\n

The Langham Afternoon Tea is the most organized one ever. The warm, helpful personnel (who Mr. X noted are sincere about it all,) know exactly what they are doing. Maritza and Maribella checked on us regularly, without making us feel rushed. They were also really accommodating. [Note: To that end, I must tell you this little story. On the day we were there, the air-conditioning was having a problem, so the room was brutally freezing. I went to the bar where the tea urns are, to warm my hands on them, and jokingly mentioned to the staff that I needed a blanket. A few minutes later, Irvin approached our table with not one, but two<\/em> cozy blankets, one for each of us! He explained that, since this is a hotel, if ever someone asks for one, they get them a blanket from housekeeping! What a perk! We were warm and toasty for the rest of our stay. So, I guess it was a cozy<\/em> tea, after all!]<\/p>\n

So, let\u2019s get to the food<\/p>\n

\"Photo<\/a>

Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n

already! (I guess I\u2019m relaxing as much writing this as I was living it!) We each began with\u00a0a glass of pink champagne, which is optional. (I know\u2014I don\u2019t drink! But it was so lovely to just hold the elegant glass in my hand, and toast with it.) Then we each received our own pot of tea. Mr. X chose the signature Langham Blend, while I went with vanilla rooibos. We each loved our own choice; he went black, while I added a bit of milk and lots of honey, which they were generous about.<\/p>\n

The comestibles come on a traditional three-tier tray, but it\u2019s so much better than the norm because it\u2019s all served on delicate, classy Wedgwood.* It\u2019s not the Jasperware pattern (cameo on matted blue) that most of us associate with the word \u201cWedgwood,\u201d which is hard to eat on. (Trust me on this\u2014when I was little, my family and I used to stay at the famous Wedgwood Inn bed-and-breakfast in New Hope, Pennsylvania, and all<\/em> the dishes were that pattern!) Rather, the Langham features an appropriate rose-themed design. [*Note: Yes, that is<\/em> the correct spelling of \u201cWedgwood,\u201d minus a second \u201ce.\u201d It\u2019s the name of the man who founded that iconic bone china company.]<\/p>\n

\"Photo<\/a>

Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n

There was a delightful variety of interesting finger sandwiches. Mr. X tried all five, while I changed two of them, for dietary reason, (which they are uber-accommodating about.)\u00a0 We were fond of them all, but both of our favorite was the Watercress Pesto Marinated Caribbean Shrimp tidbit. He was also pleasantly surprised by the Smoked Salmon with a dot of caviar\u00a0on the top.<\/p>\n

Then we moved on to the scones, which I was thrilled to see they serve warm. (Some places really don\u2019t understand what a difference that warmth makes.) We appreciated both the blueberry and cranberry equally, especially because the clotted cream they serve with them is superior! (The menu says that lemon curd also comes with them, but we didn\u2019t get any, which was just fine because neither of us eats it! We were more than happy with the selection of petite bottles of jams and preserves.)<\/p>\n

\"Close-up<\/a>

Close-up of the desserts. Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n

Even though we were totally full by then, we were bowled-over by the absolute plethora of desserts! I\u2019ve rarely been offered so many at a tea. Of course, they\u2019re basically bite-sized (if you\u2019re Mr. X<\/em>; if you\u2019re me<\/em>, each one takes a few minutes to eat,) but there were nine<\/em> of them!!! We each ate just two and took the rest home. (They pack leftovers up beautifully, I might add. Our bag looked like something out of the gift shop!) My favorites are the chocolate macaroon and the chocolate mousse cup (are you sensing a theme here?,) while Mr. X loved the coffee tart with candied nuts on top. The apricot cone was something I\u2019d never seen before, in all my years of taking afternoon tea, so I\u2019m a fan of that one, too.<\/p>\n

\"Jacquelyn<\/a>

Jacquelyn Johnson on the piano. Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n

During the year, you can enjoy this whole repast on any afternoon of the week. But during this holiday season, the week-ends are reserved for the Langham\u2019s \u201cTeddy Bear Tea,\u201d which is aimed at children. (And their moms, as well, of course.) That one has different times and details, so please check-out their website below, if you\u2019re interested. (I<\/em> definitely am\u2014I thought of finding a kid to be my beard, just so that I can go to that one, too!)<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>

The beautiful view of the courtyard as we exited, now that it gets dark so early. Photo by Karen Salkin.<\/p><\/div>\n

One admonition about the tea meal, in general, before I go, and please take this one to the bank: Please, everyone\u2014do not call this meal \u201cHigh Tea!\u201d<\/em> You think that makes you sound classy, but it does not. High Tea<\/em> is an evening<\/em> meal, basically for peasants<\/em>, and involves supper fare, such as sausage rolls, meat pies, and crusty bread. This is Afternoon Tea<\/em>\u2014a graceful meal, with little tidbits, which was invented over a century ago by the Duchess of Bedford to bridge her hunger gap between lunch and dinner. But now it stands on its own, and if done right these days, is beyond filling. So, please stop confusing the two, just because you heard someone use the word \u201chigh\u201d in connection to it! (And, now that you are no longer one of them, please correct the other culturally-challenged people, as well!)<\/p>\n

Lesson over. Now just enjoy it!<\/p>\n

1401 South Oak Knoll Avenue, Pasadena \u00a0626-568-3900 \u00a0www.langhamhotels.com\/en\/the-langham\/pasadena\/dining\/afternoon-tea-with-wedgwood<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

LANGHAM HOTEL AFTERNOON TEA When I was in New York recently, I attended a beautiful event at the Langham Place hotel in midtown. (You can read all about it here: itsnotaboutme.tv\/news\/new-yorkparties-langham-hospitality-group-cocktail-party.) It whetted my appetite to explore its sister site that\u2019s right here in my own backyard. When I learned that the Langham Hotel in<\/p>\n

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