The Brits are on to something – taking time for tea at The Plaza

From the pages of The Great Gatsby to the big screen of The Way We Were (and most recently Bride Wars), The Plaza Hotel has been the backdrop for many scenes of drama, romance and fantasy, including the famous adventures of naughty Eloise in the magical children’s story from the 1950’s.

Yesterday in our quest for monthly adventure, Pina and I ventured into Manhattan for tea at The Plaza’s Palm Court.

Surrounded by timeless elegance, we sipped pear tea, people watched and dished about men, money, and menopause, or in other words, the things that keep us up at night.

A few musings brewed over  tea time:

Look in your own backyard – Neither Pina nor I had ever set foot in this gilded luxury hotel despite countless days spent in NYC and residing less than an hour away. It’s amazing how much there is to explore right under your nose. In fact, over tea we discovered that there are many other quintessential NY experiences neither of us have yet to try.

Take time to savor – I’m the fastest eater I know, and frankly I’ve never tried very hard to break that bad habit. But tea time demands a slower pace. If you’ve taken to inhaling meals on the run and make a regular habit of dashboard dining, it’s time to brew a pot of tea and slow down.

Finish your dessert without guilt – The pet it fours were too refined, too gorgeous, and frankly too pricey to leave any on the plate. We devoured them whole heartily and enjoyed every bite. I briefly considered nabbing the two left behind on the lovely tiered dessert stand at the adjacent table, but thought better of it.

Seek out some ambiance – Tea at The Plaza of course is never about the tea, or even the food. It’s about donning your Mary Janes (preferably a more modern version with a heel) and soaking up the palm trees, piano music, and sneaking a peek at what the ladies at the next table are wearing.