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The Peninsula Hotel
9882 South Santa Monica Boulevard
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
(310) 551-2888
peninsula.com

Ordered:
Royal Tea Service

Review:
On the day of Iamme’s birthday, my friend Janell and her boyfriend, Chris, met up with us for tea at the Peninsula Hotel. We decided to pass on high tea, and instead picked an earlier time of noon. The day was gorgeous, and as many people say, the Peninsula is 100% class.

The Living Room, which is also the tea parlor, is very easy to find. Walk straight through the hotel entrance after you pull your car up front. You will approach it in a matter of yards.

Interior & fireplace:

As you can see, the place is beautiful. The back walls are covered in ceiling to floor French window, and sunlight just completely floods in. We were fortunate enough to be seated in our own lovely area just in front of one of the fireplaces.

Since Janell and Chris were running a bit late, we ordered a bottle of Fiji and waited for them. Anyone who feels intimidated by the idea of tea here really should not be. Yes, it’s dainty. Yes, it’s pretty. But it’s also comfortable in it’s own way, provided you don’t arrive in flannel sweatpants holding your own bag of Del Taco (You know, in case they don’t have anything you like). The couches are super plush, the ambiance is subdued, and everyone is very nice.

Place Setting:

We ordered when Janell and Chris arrived. Iamme and Chris asked for Regular Tea Service, while Janell and I opted for Royal Tea Service. If I recall correctly, the only difference is that Royal Tea service comes with a glass of Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Champagne, strawberries & cream, and a caviar cake. Cost of Royal Tea was $52 dollars per person, cost of standard tea was about $36 dollars. This may sound a bit expensive for tea (and it is), but in actuality you leave pretty stuffed.

My tea started with the champagne, strawberries, and caviar cake (in that order).  All were very good.  Chris seemed to love the berries and fresh cream.  The cream tasted like traditional whipped cream, but was on the heavier side, almost like a sabayon; It was quite delicious.

Tea service:

From bottom to top you see: savory tea cakes, biscuits and petit fours, and fresh scones (raisin and plain).  To the left you see Lemon Curd and Devonshire cream.  To the right you see Blueberry and Chocolate Raspberry Jam.  Further to the right, you see honey, lemon, and cream for the tea.  Everyone had their own pot.  Mine was Caramel Pear, and it was an absolute dream.  I highly recommend this particular flavor if you are having tea at the Peninsula.

The sandwiches consisted of: Chicken Salad on Wheat, Egg Salad on Rye, Smoked Salmon, and Roasted Vegetable.  Each one was tasty, but we particularly liked the Smoked Salmon and Egg Salad.  The Smoked Salmon had a slice of lemon on top, which we ate pith and all.  It really made such a huge difference, and just brought the sandwich up a notch.  The Egg Salad was laced with chopped tarragon.  For anyone who has never had eggs with tarragon, you simply must.  They go together so well.

The desserts consisted of: Berry Tarts, Opera Cake, Chocolate Éclairs, and Shortbread Biscuits.  Janell really liked the Shortbread Biscuits.  For the rest of us, the desserts were good but there was nothing that totally stood out.  I must say I enjoyed the tenderness of the tart pastry and the strong coffee flavor of the Opera Cake – something I find is lacking in many others.

We enjoyed each others company at a leisurely pace.  The service was excellent and non-intrusive.  Our cups were always filled.  Sometimes we didn’t even notice it.  One thing to note is that you are not allowed to pour your own tea at the Peninsula (and really, you shouldn’t have to pour it yourself anywhere).  The only problem with this is that you have to catch your server and be sure to let them know if someone else at your table would like to try your tea (or vice versa).  I wanted Iamme to try some of my Caramel Pear Tea, but kept missing the servers when they would come to refill his cup (they are so quiet!).  Female servers dress in traditional sage green qípáo, and male servers dress in pants and jackets that have some resemblence to changshans… kind of a cross between those and bell boy outfits.

In conclusion, the four of us had a great time during tea service here.  Next stop: high tea at the Peninsula in Hong Kong!!

Stay tuned to find out how you can host a traditional tea service at home!

Rating:
8 out of 10 spoonfuls

Value:
$$$$

*Last image courtesy of Chris Raser