Food

I have to say that of all the afternoon tea services I've tried in New York, this is by far my favorite. The food is made to order and you can tell that a lot of care is put into each piece. The canapé selection on Valentine's day was different from a previous time but nonetheless delicious and unique. I like that each piece is not enormous for portion control purposes. At first glance you may think jesus christ the portions are tiny, that's for two people?!? I may need to get Shake Shack after. But it is actually very filling and satisfying. After eating the savory canapés and scones, you'll realize that it is rather stuffing. I am always deceived by afternoon tea too.

The tea selection is pretty robust. They serve Mariage Freres and I'd expect nothing less. I tried the rose d'himalaya—a soft and gentle black tea that went exceptionally well with milk. I also tried the baccarat blend—a toned down blend that was less rich in caffeine.

Ambiance/Decor

I absolutely love the space. The high ceilings, modern design, lush and luxurious furnishing and spaciousness really contribute to the relaxing ambiance. Afternoon tea lasted about 3.5 hours with no one rushing you out. The large space allows for great intimacy. It's an excellent spot for casual business meetings or a place to discuss in great detail any topic you desire.

Price

It's definitely not cheap and on the higher end relative to its peers. Full tea service (The Prince of Whales) starts at $80 to include tea and the full 3 tier assortment of savory and sweet pastries. Then goes up to $105 and $110 to include a glass of champagne.

They also have a smaller size (Louis XV) to include 1 tier of pastries starting at $65. I don't recommend this as you don't get much out of it. There are only 5 pieces total. Horrible value. You may need a full meal after. Don't be cheap and just get the full service.

Reservation

For afternoon tea service you'll definitely need to make reservations in advance. I'd say one to two weeks in advance just to be safe.

Afternoon tea at the Dorchester was one of the most relaxing, delicious and elegant experience. They only offer afternoon tea on the balcony on weekends. It is a must. The service and food were unlike the other tea services offered. I highly recommend this specific service on the balcony. The ambiance is much more intimate, bright and exclusive. With only 4 tables on the balcony, it offers a peaceful and relaxing setting with very intimate one on one service. The hotel resides conveniently across from Hyde Park, slightly away from all the tourist hustle.

Food

The food was very good. The artisanship put into the sandwiches, scones and dessert were noticed. Each piece was perfectly crafted. The food was not only visually appealing, but its quality and taste were on point. The best part was the unlimited servings. However, that was not needed as I was beyond stuffed half way through.

Ambiance/Service

The service was absolutely impeccable. The attention was on point. The servers were so polite and courteous but not overly pushy or fake. Instead of serving a three tier plate, you received each course individually with unlimited servings. This was honestly one of the best high tea experiences. The combination of the setting, exclusivity, elegant decor, quality of food and service made it a five-star experience. Not a single place I've been to in New York or the Pacific Northwest can compare.

Reservation

You will need a reservation far in advance as it is a popular spot. I reserved almost two months in advance! The earlier the better, especially during tourist season. Also, note that you are allotted 1 hour and 45 min.

Price

The afternoon tea on the balcony is fixed at 59 pounds per person, not including the 12.5% service charge.