Sunday, August 03, 2014

Le Royal Monceau Raffles Afternoon Tea

My summer project is to take tea in all the best places in Paris to make up for sitting around for 4 weeks with 1 leg elevated. Raffles at Le Royal Monceau is not far from l'Etoile. Monceau was recently renovated by the renown Philippe Starck.
Drama hits you right at the entrance. Fabulous flower bouquets throughout.Their Italian restaurant, Il Carpaccio is full of sea shell motifs floor to ceiling. 

La Cuisine restaurant has a more free-floating artsy motif. There's an art gallerie as well in the hotel. Last September's Büche de Noël display was held there and will be again this year. Can't wait.
Wonderful Miro-like ceilings. Where ever you look inside the hotel you'll discover cool artworks.
The patterned pool on the terrasse garden looks down 

into the swimming pool below in a magical way.
But on to afternoon tea in the Raffles Long bar at Le Monceau.
A copy of Raffles in Singapore - loaded with atmosphere.
The tea menu. Did I say all the pastries at Le Monceau are specially created by Pierre Hermé.

Ta-Da! The traditional tea time scones, clotted cream and strawberry jam are hidden behind the chocolates and mini macarons.

'DEE-VINE! MAGNIFIQUE!'
Have you seen The Eye Has To Travel? It's the Don't-Miss story of Diana Vreeland in all her divine glam. You feel the same awe when the Raffles tea tray arrives.

Mustn't forget the tea sandwiches must one?

Exquisite no? Smaller versions of Pierre Herme originals so no guilt need apply.

Mardi Michels of Eat Live Travel Write and I were guests of the hotel. Mardi has taught classes at La Cuisine Paris and currently in Canada. She attacks our desserts like a surgeon. Verdict: perfection.

Mardi drinks an organic flower infusion by tea master Pascal Hamour.

While I request a made-to-order cooling drink of fresh mint covered in Chateldon bubbly water and ice cubes. This has become my summer 'tea' drink of choice. The waiter kindly brought a tiny pitcher of sugar syrup unasked. Perfection. 
Perfection all around at Le Royal Monceau Raffles. You'll feel simply divine. Watch the hotel staff do the 'Happy' dance if you can't race over there for tea this afternoon.

36 comments:

  1. OMG I would love to race over there for tea today!!
    tres yummy

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  2. This was such a lovely afternoon Carol and you have captured it beautifully. Still dreaming about that Ispahan :)

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  3. Who knew when I first visited Paris as a 14 year old and stayed in this hotel those long years ago that I would host an art school in Giverny.
    Hope to see you next spring.

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    1. You will definitely have to go for tea for old times sake Caroline in that case.

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  4. Maureen8:45 AM

    Carol, I'm fascinated and bemused to see that all the great Paris hotels are doing the very English hotel afternoon tea tradition. I have done what you are doing all over London. Now it seems I can do the same in Paris. There is nothing prettier than an afternoon tea tray with the perfect little sandwiches and of course, the pastries. I would miss the scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam though!

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    1. But there is scones, clotted cream and strawberry jam on the top tray even if it's not visible.
      How authentic of Raffles!

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  5. I am loving your tea journey! I am also glad you found a way to incorporate the iconic "The Eye has to Travel"....it is a favorite of mine.

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    1. "The Eye has to Travel"
      Fabulous movie!!
      A favorite

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  6. I love seashells too..
    What a lovely place..and your aquarelle with the rose petal so sweet.
    I have been serving water w/ herbs..what a nice touch the sugar syrup..duly noted!

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  7. Kathryn Owls Head9:35 AM

    Carol, I am absolutely passionate about TEA. If/when I visit can we replicate this experience! I would be in heaven.

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  8. What a beautiful tea service! Love the video too! Must visit next time in Paris. Merci, Carol!

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  9. OMG, the best regime every---tea at all the best hotels. Is their a clear winner, or would it be too difficult to choose? Love your opening collage!

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    Replies
    1. Each afternoon tea is a unique and superb experience.
      'I couldn't possibly comment' :)

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  10. Carol, I am enjoying every frame; hearing about all the different teas, inspecting the china at the different establishments; the attention to detail of your hosts. You are definitely an ambassador of good taste!

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  11. I am so enjoying living vicariously through you Carol. I actually had my first high tea in Cleveland of all places! ! Please keep up the amazing journey.

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  12. had the most delightful tea there with friends last may ... the tea cups we had were charming with fun little designs .. and a platter of quite nice macarons ... after we went to the top of the Arc for a sunset photo session .. deeeeevine

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    1. That nice little plate of macarons are someof the best in Paris
      Love those cups

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  13. How exciting ... A tea journey of Paris. And I could go on for hours on Diana Vreeland's biographical movie. DEE-vine has crept into my regular vocabulary. I have watched about 100 times, I don't know .... It's magical. Love reading your posts, I believe I'm going in October .. Hopefully by myself. I love Paris all to myself xo

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  14. Amazing place for tea time! Thanks for being a perfect hotel reporter this Summer. So we will enjoy these places back to Paris! Take care and go on....

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  15. All I can think of is Wow!!

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  16. I could not get enough of tea in Paris for sure. I once went on a tea tour of Paris.
    Wonder if you would like to do that sometime with a small group? Love that cute
    red miniature teaset, want! Have you been to Deux le Abielle for tea? I think that
    is how you spell it, but may not be 100% accurate. It is not far from the Eiffel Tower.
    I loved it.

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    1. What a good idea Marilyn!
      I have not been to l'Abeille or however you spell it.
      Must add it to the list!

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  17. one of your best posts, ever-
    Gorgeous & clever -makes me want to go to the Royal
    Monceau, très vite!

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  18. About that lovely mint drink.......can it be replicated in Michigan? With a handful of mint and sparkling water? Or is that special French water needed? It looks divine! Want what YOU have!!

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    1. Of course! Why not?
      Just an iced mint spritzer.
      Perfect cooler for the summer heat.

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  19. Anonymous8:37 AM

    Never get tired of tea!! These elegant places are such a delight and knowing that tea can be had for much less than a grand meal means someone like me, who is not ready for real society establishments, can still enjoy ambience and elegance. I find myself longing to experience this legendary city as you are.

    And I have now received 3 Paris letters. It's hard to say how much I enjoy them, the art, the little surprises, the celebration of life. I'm thinking of a way to make a special booklet of them. Thanks for brining a bit of my favorite city to the wilds of Connecticut!!--Nora

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    1. Thank you Nore for letting me know!
      Music to my ears ;))

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  20. Loved this post! Especially the "Happy" video! I wish I could feel as happy going to my job as they do!

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  21. Oh, so British! What a perfect partner for tea with Mardi and guests, too? Absolute perfection, indeed. Pinky little finger in the air as well as the toes for a posh Parisian life. Looked wonderful!

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  22. My mini Paris vacation, your blog and letters. Nice break in the work day to day dream a bit.
    Alyce K

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  23. I'm making my second cup of tea this morning and I will pretend it's in a Bristol tasse. The ParisBreakfasts tea visits are fab. What a great quest: to sip tea in all the great tea rooms in Paris. I call that soigné overload.

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  24. Wonderful! Tu ne t'ennuies pas! C'est super! xoxox Pretty watercolor ma chère!

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  25. Anonymous7:45 PM

    Wow Carol, another place for me to check out! I really want to take my husband to a nice place for tea time on our wedding anniversary. You must have been to soooo many wonderful place, could you recommend one for us to celebrate our special day? Thank you- bao-kim

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  26. What a fabulous summer diversion you have created for yourself. Hanging out in great, luxurious, beautiful hotels, and having delicious over the top afternoon teas. That smoked salmon treat looks amazing. I definitely gobble that first.

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  27. I am entirely besotted with the faux dew drop on the Isphahan. Will definitely steal that idea for my next tea for 1000 of my closest friends.

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