Palm Court Fountain (image courtesy of Drake Hotel)
Outside, it was warm and humid – unusual for an early autumn afternoon in Chicago. As I arrived at the Drake Hotel and proceeded into the hotel lobby, I couldn’t help but relax after sensing the palpable calm inside. Leaving the noise of the city behind, the interior of the Drake was a welcome oasis.
As I walked up a short flight of stairs, I could already hear faint harp music drifting through the air. “Afternoon Tea, Sir?” “Yes,” I said, “Thank you.” I was shown to my table and immediately began to unwind.
The Drake Hotel is located on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile overlooking Lake Michigan and was built in 1920, designed in the Italian Renaissance style. Visitors to Chicago are often advised to take Afternoon Tea at the Drake as one of the not-to-be-missed things to do in the city. Past visitors to the hotel include Winston Churchill, Prince Charles and Princess Diana, Elizabeth Taylor, Judy Garland, and Frank Sinatra.
The Palm Court (image from HighTea.com)
Afternoon Tea at the Drake is served in a club-like secluded room off the main lobby called the Palm Court. The room is dominated by a beautiful limestone fountain with a 275 year old French-bronze urn at its center. When I was there, the urn was filled with spectacular white flowers.
I chose the Traditional Afternoon Tea, including the Palm Court’s own specialty tea – “a custom blend of four teas: Indian Assam with soft chocolate notes of Chinese Keemun, along with the smoothest Ceylon and a toasty Formosa Oolong.” (This blend was custom designed for The Drake Hotel by U.S. Master Blender, Harney & Sons Fine Teas.)
The service was perfect, attentive yet not overly so. It seemed as if each time I poured myself another cup of tea, someone would appear to refill the teapot. I felt welcome, unhurried and relaxed.
Table Setting (Image from HighTea.com)
Soon a three-tier tray appeared with four finger sandwiches prepared on freshly baked bread – Roast Beef, Cucumber and Tomato, Egg Salad and Asparagus & Ham. On a second tier was a freshly baked raisin scone along with a thin slice of banana bread. Finally, the sweets included a vanilla dome and a swan shaped creme puff. The accompaniments were lemon curd, strawberry preserves, and English Double Devon Creme. The china service was Rene Ozorio – Aura.
To my left a group of women were thoroughly enjoying themselves, conversing and seeming genuinely happy to be in each other’s company. To my right and behind was a mystery couple, tucked away into a dark corner presumably to avoid prying eyes.
Click here for larger pictures of afternoon tea at The Drake
Having enjoyed the soft harp music and sampled the Palm Court’s delicious custom tea blend along with several of its sweets and savories, it was – unhappily – time to close the chapter on this visit to the Drake Hotel and its wonderful Afternoon Tea service.
this looks like a great place, i would definitely like to try this
I’ve been there twice but the Chicago Peninsula high tea is much better. ambiance and food.
This look incredibly beautiful and so calm and serene. I am so thankful to you for sharing your site with me on my blog. My friends and I enjoy tea (and Jane Austen) so we have a special affinity for tea. We were thinking of traveling to Chicago for Pride and Prejudice The Musical earier this month, but unfortunately it did not happen. However, now that I am familiar with your site, we will have to experience Afternoon Tea for ourselves should we happen to find ourselves in the Windy City. Again, many thanks to you for sharing this with me! Best regards, Jen
We live in Chicago and have pretty much done tea at every available hotel. In the Loop area, but not in a hotel, the Russian Tea Time is the best value with a bit of European tea room atmosphere quite different from the luxurious surroundings in the big hotels.
Try it.
My niece, great-niece and I had a ‘ladies’ day out’, and took afternoon tea at The Palm Court. It was delightful! Like you, I enjoyed the Palm Court Blend; my niece chose Bombay Chai; her daughter selected Pear Caramel for her tea blend. The food choices were the same, save there was no Asparagus and Ham; instead there was Smoked Salmon with Cream Cheese on Pumpernickel, which was excellent. Everything was excellent: tea, food, ambience, service. It’s perfect for a special occasion.
Does anyone know if there are gluten free items offered at the high teas; if so where.
Thank you.