There are few places in New York where time seems to slow down in a way that feels deliberate. Not just because it’s expensive, but because that’s the point. Located in Midtown Manhattan, The Grand Salon at the Baccarat Hotel is one of them.
The Baccarat is every bit as opulent as one might expect from a brand with royal heritage dating back to 1764. Tea is served on the second floor of the hotel, in a glass and crystal showroom with the ambition of Versailles. This place doesn’t whisper luxury, it yells it. Loudly. In French. Light bounces off custom-designed Baccarat chandeliers in every direction. Seating consists of plush, high-backed chairs that look like thrones. The air smells faintly of rose and bergamot.
They don’t enforce a dress code, but it’s worth dressing up for the occasion. When I walked in on a Tuesday afternoon, there was only one other party present, all of whom were draped in gorgeous silk clothing. By the time I left two hours later, the room had filled out with businessmen, birthday girls, and a few obvious tourists with Saks shopping bags in tow. That said, you can expect warm, attentive, and unpretentious service from the staff even if you show up in a t-shirt.
There are four tea packages to choose from, each themed after a royal or historical figure tied to Baccarat’s past. The Prince of Wales ($140 per person) is your go-to if you’re looking for the traditional route, savories, scones, jewel-box sweets, and a pot of tea. There’s a children’s tea (Le Petit Prince), an all-dessert option (Princess of Monaco), and a caviar-forward, champagne-soaked affair called the King Louis XV, which costs up to $435 per person.
The brand’s history as a centuries-old crystal maker is baked into every aspect of the experience. Your server will hand you a “menu” of tableware prices along with your tea list. Yes, you can take home the glass you’re drinking out of. No, it won’t be cheap.
We went with the Prince of Wales, with a champagne add-on for an extra cost. Our first (and only) task was to select our teas. Baccarat started with an exclusive Mariage Frères partnership but has since expanded its menu to include thoughtfully selected blends from other high-end producers. The in-house tea sommelier recommended the house-blended rooibos with red fruits and vanilla for my friend. I wanted something caffeinated, so I chose the single-origin Assam. Keeping with the crystal theme, tea is served with rock sugar sticks that dissolve into your drink as you stir.
The three-level crystal pastry stand arrived first, along with pours of champagne. I was most excited for the six savory pieces. Every piece, from the smoked salmon and deviled egg tea sandwiches, to the mini lobster roll and caviar blini, truly delivered.
A few moments later, our server brought us a plate of perfectly warm scones with Devonshire cream and berry confiture. You can ask for more cream and jam if you run out, but we both felt pretty full after our first scones, despite skipping breakfast. By the time the tea arrived, I was stuffed, but determined to try every beautiful pastry on the platter. Fortunately, fantastic flavors like blood orange, morello cherry, and luxe chocolate made the task a lot easier.
Afternoon tea at Baccarat Hotel New York is served daily between 12pm and 5pm, with reservations required at least 24 hours in advance. Save this spot for a special occasion. Guests are encouraged to linger, luxuriate, and take a few photos. If you’re going to splurge on one of the most expensive tea services in the city, you might as well show it off! The Baccarat experience is arranged around the idea that your time deserves to be adorned—right until the very end, when you sign your check with a feather pen.
Baccarat Hotel New York Afternoon Tea Menu:
Savories:
Sweets:
Blood Orange Choux, Creme Patisserie, Panettone B&B Pudding, Miniature Morello Cherry New York Cheesecake, Red Velvet Crinkle Cookie, Sacher Torte, Chocolate Mousse, Flourless
Warm Housemade Scones:
with Devonshire Cream & Seasonal Confiture
High Tea New York – find more experiences
in our High Tea Venue Directory
Reviews for this venue:
- 18 November 2017: Sultan Abdülaziz Afternoon Tea at Baccarat Hotel New York
