Holiday High Tea

When it comes to fancy holiday rituals, it doesn’t get much better than afternoon tea. There’s just something festive about raising pinkies and sipping chamomile that sings with holiday cheer. Just in time to calm your nerves from shopping and travel, two spots are heating up afternoon high tea programs.

The Allis at Soho House Chicago is the latest to join the ritzy tea fray. One of the ground floor spaces accessible to the public, The Allis is now offering afternoon tea seven days a week from 3:00 pm until 5:00 pm, featuring a modern take on traditional British tea pastries from pastry chef Kady Yon. Think mint chocolate macaroons, Devil’s chocolate cake with molten ganache, citrus poppy seed cake, and almond profiteroles, adjoined by savories like smoked salmon and ham sandwiches. Per tea tradition, items are presented on glistening tiered trays custom designed for Soho House.

Along with Christkindlmarket and the Macy’s window displays, one of the best holiday pastimes in the Loop is high tea at Atwood. Located smack dab in the heart of State Street’s shopping district, the restaurant in the Hotel Burnham is perfectly poised to satisfy your luxurious tea needs. Guests at Atwood get their choice of eight loose-leaf teas, or choose some sparkling wine. To nosh, there are cranberry scones, biscotti, and sweet petit fours baked by executive chef Brian Millman, along with savory sandwiches. Reservations are required for Atwood high tea, which runs from 2:00 pm until 3:30 pm daily in December through Christmas.

The Allis
113-125 N. Green Street, Chicago
(312) 521-8000
Website

Atwood
1 W. Washington Street, Chicago
(312) 368-1900
Website