Can you believe it? Tomorrow is already Christmas! I can't believe how quickly 2019 is coming to a close.
The holidays are such a magical time. Families getting together with amazing feasts and plenty of joy. But one of my absolute favorite ways to celebrate the season is with a spot of holiday afternoon tea.
Especially at The Langham.
(They did debut the first afternoon tea service in London in 1865 after all!)
My close friend Starr is as much of an anglophile as I am so we donned our most festive outfits and headed down to the Chicago River for our first...
Holiday Afternoon Tea At The Langham
The Decor
The Langham has always been one of my favorite spots to visit, especially at the holidays.
(My 2016 holiday Langham shoot)
The Lobby is a spectacular space with mercury-looking orbs floating overhead, mimicking Chicago's famous Cloud Gate, and a fantastic view over the Chicago River.
No joke, this Lobby is so beautiful I've shot MANY campaigns and clients here over the years. You'd be hard pressed to find a prettier Lobby with more natural light.
This year's holiday decorations are an unusual mixture of metallics and pinks -- a lovely, soft take on more typical holiday decor.
The Food
The Langham offers a delicious selection of nibbles with their afternoon tea service.
Savory options range from Lamb Rillettes to chicken salad cones to butternut squash tartlets (and the Langham has a great menu of options for any dietary restrictions too).
Then there are warm gingerbread and fruitcake scones with clotted cream and jam.
And for dessert there are some masterful bites like a beautiful Christmas tree Mont Blanc, a Black Forest yule log, and the Langham's riff on Santa's milk and cookies.
Each bite more delicious than the next!
The Tea
The most important element to a good afternoon tea service is the TEA. And having a delicious, high-quality selection is key to a perfect experience.
The Langham offers 15 varieties of both classic and festive flavors. My personal favorite is their 'Nutcracker' blend -- a beautiful Ceylon black tea infused with hazelnut and vanilla. It's the perfect holiday tea!
Starr ordered their Children's Tea which -- despite the name -- is perfect for adults too with it's sweet rhubarb flavor. Both paired beautifully with the food and a glass of champagne!
FINAL THOUGHTS...
Holiday Afternoon Tea has always been one of my favorite ways to celebrate the festive season. The Langham's beautiful Wedgewood service is as delicious as it is merry -- and the beautiful Lobby decorations are hard to beat!
While their holiday afternoon tea service is completely booked through the end of the year, I highly recommend making a reservation next year if you can snag one (Pro Tip: make your reservations as early as you can -- they fill up every year before December!). It was an incredible experience and a beautiful way to celebrate Christmas with a close friend.
Happy Christmas Eve!
Disclosure: We received a complimentary meal to facilitate this post. Review and all opinions are ALWAYS my own.
