Treat Yourself to Afternoon Tea

Sometime life just needs to be slowed down. You may not have time for a week-long vacation, a weekend getaway, or even a single overnight road trip, but a few hours in the afternoon is the perfect moment to unwind. Rejuvenate and spend an afternoon in timeless luxury for Afternoon Tea.

My days were going full steam ahead, but when a friend asked if I wanted to meet for Afternoon Tea, I couldn’t resist. What could be better than enjoying hot, welcoming tea served with delicious savory sandwiches, decadent sweet treats, and accompanied by a festive glass of bubbly? Served in a formal, but comfortable setting, this is exactly what we found at the Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner in McLean, Virginia. It’s the perfect way to spend an afternoon!

​They offer three types of high tea service, varying in price and options. We happily chose the Royal Tea.

​If you’ve never experienced a formal Afternoon Tea, get excited for an extensive tea menu with numerous selections of black, green and other floral varieties. The descriptions are all so tempting, but I finally decided on Darjeeling, which has a delicious musky floral flavor.

​Tea was served first, elegantly poured through a strainer from a porcelain pot. It was then left on a candlelit burner to keep it hot throughout the afternoon. Since we were there to relax and catch up, there was lots of time for vibrant conversation and the tea was always hot.

​Followed by a sparkling rose wine, the delicate sandwiches started arriving. They were so pretty and tasty!

Then appeared a three-tier tower filled with a generous amount of sweets for two. The currant scones were soft and flavorful, but even more delicious when topped with the cream, lemon curd, and raspberry jam served alongside. Each bite of the sweets was magical.   

​The best surprise was the strawberry and fresh whipped cream martini. Right before our eyes, it’s drizzled with Grand Marnier to make it extra delicious.

​Afternoon Tea at the Ritz-Carlton is an afternoon treat! Take the time to visit with a friend, experience wonderful service, beautiful music, and enjoy tasty bites. It's exactly what's needed to be renewed for the busy week ahead.

It can be a pleasure for the whole family, too. Relax in luxury while introducing this experience to your children. With a special “Peter Rabbit Tea For Children”, they will be delighted with the treats specially created for younger palates in mind.

​Entyse at the The Ritz-Carlton, Tysons Corner serves Afternoon Tea on Friday afternoons, seatings from 12:00 to 2:00 PM, and Saturday and Sunday’s at 12:00, 12:30, 3:30 and 4:00 PM. They also have charming themed Afternoon Teas for the upcoming holiday season. 

​Just one step in the stunning lobby and you'll start relaxing right away.