Ever since I studied in London back in college, I’ve been obsessed with high tea service. The dainty sandwiches, the delicate pastries, and the decadent table spreads just make my foodie heart happy.
It’s hard to find many opportunities for tea when you live smack dab in the middle of Texas, but luckily Dallas does have a few notable tea rooms where we can imagine ourselves in England with every sip.
This December, Austin and I decided to treat ourselves this year by reserving high tea in the French Room Salon at the Adolphus Hotel. It was a magical afternoon we won’t soon forget! Here’s everything to expect from Holiday Tea in the Adolphus French Room.
The Atmosphere
We were seated in The Salon, which is a cozy library-esque room adjacent to the main French Room. There was a beautiful grand staircase wrapped with garland and a glimmering Christmas tree right next to our table.
A pianist was playing Christmas carols the whole time we were eating. Our chairs were very plush and comfortable. The whole experience was so perfectly cozy.
After we dined, we stopped by the main French Room to see the famous crystal chandeliers and bird sculpture hanging above the ornate tables and chairs.
The Menu
We started off with a complimentary glass of champagne. It was a sweet rosé that I really liked. Then we began our first course.
The first tea we were served was a white savory mushroom tea, which was a really unique flavor experience for me. I normally sweeten tea of any flavor with tons of sugar, but I left this one alone so it could compliment all of our other food.
We had a huge selection of finger sandwiches: Duck Confit Rillette, Lemon & Ginger Cured Salmon, Carternere Farm’s Egg Salad, Cucumber and Herbed Butter, and Loaded Sweet Potato.
We followed up our sandwiches with a Hot Chocolate Marshmallow scone and a Candied Orange, Cranberry, and Ginger scone. These were true English scones, served with preserves and clotted cream! It’s so hard to find clotted cream in America, so I was really excited about that.
For dessert we switched to a Holiday Chai tea, which I seriously enjoyed. The desserts looked like glamorous jewels glistening in the candlelight on their trays!
The full menu of sweets included: Dark Chocolate Truffle Tart, Peppermint Jivara Choux, Coconut Maraschino Cherry Financier, Cinnamon Apple Streusel Tart, and a Blood Orange Cognac Pâté de Fruit. I confess, I asked our waiter to decode the names of some of these treats for me!
Tips for Booking Holiday Tea in the Adolphus French Room
- Reserve your spot early! They fill up for the holiday season very fast. I recommend booking your December table in October, but definitely no later than November.
- Know the difference between the French Room and The Salon. I had never visited the Adolphus before, so I didn’t understand when we booked our table. The French Room is a large, bright, airy space with lots of window light and a memorable sculpture of a bird. The Salon is a cozier, darker room full of twinkling Christmas lights and plush couches. It’s also where you can hear a pianist playing Christmas carols while you eat. Both are lovely, but make sure you select the room you want!
- Be prepared for the price. It costs $65 per person, but don’t forget to factor in an automatic gratuity of almost 30% when you budget for this. The total cost is about $170.
- Utilize the free valet parking! We were a little uncertain about whether or not parking on the premises of such a nice hotel would actually be free. We parked in a paid lot near the AT&T Discovery District just in case (and we got to see a beautiful giant Christmas tree there). When our hostess seated us, she explained that valet parking is complimentary for all guests dining in The French Room!
- Dress for the occasion. Dresses, heels, and slacks are the vibe. It’s a great opportunity to snap some photos you could use for a Christmas card!
To book your reservation for tea in The Adolphus French Room, click here.
For more ideas on where to celebrate Christmas in Dallas, check this link out!
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