“Brunch” parties have taken over the dining scene in a way that is mildly disconcerting to those of us not interested in dancing on tables….at 3 p.m…..on a Saturday.  Although a few restaurants in the Meatpacking District really kicked this trend off last year, the day party concept has infiltrated much of downtown Manhattan, loudly spilling out onto the streets.  That’s why walking into the Crosby Street Hotel on one of my favorite (quiet) blocks in Soho for a lovely afternoon of high tea was escapism at its best.

The hotel, which opened last year, has an incredible air of serenity in the midst of bustling Soho.  So much so, that, while sitting in the garden for tea, I heard several tables around me of (slightly jaded) New Yorkers echo sentiments of feeling like they were on vacation and jokingly reprimanding themselves for being tourists in their own city.  I find the tradition of afternoon tea very fun, an elegant way to gorge on tea sandwiches, baked goods and pastries.  The only thing that beats afternoon tea is a boozy afternoon tea, or champagne afternoon tea as it was more thoughtfully called on the menu, which is what I was having.

[Read the rest of this entry...]