The Divine Dish

Afternoon Tea at the Hotel Bel Air

Royal Afternoon Tea

I haven’t visited the Hotel Bel Air for a few years and was anxious to see the renovations that transformed the classic resort from a Mediterranean inspired romantic hideaway to a modern oasis.  The new design blends the indoor and outdoor experience adding  classic contemporary flare.

restaurant

I took my friend Nick with me to the hotel for afternoon tea for a story I am working on for The Daily Meal.  We discovered that the updated resort housed a  new reception area, boutique, new lounge, and upgraded guestrooms and suites. There’s also a dozen new hillside accommodations, a 12,000 square foot La Prairie spa and celeb chef Wolfgang Puck heading up the kitchen.  Here is what we enjoyed for our afternoon tea.

sandwiches

There is a nice variety of white, green, oolong, black and herbal teas to choose from.  Even though it was hot as Hades outside I chose traditional and went with an English Breakfast, while Nick opted for the HBA Rejuvination Blend, a mix of apricot essence, lemon myrtle, rooibos and rosehips.  Both were delicious.  I also indulged in a glass of refreshing champagne.  The beautifully plated selection of sandwiches arrived sans the traditional three tier presentation and included a Maryland blue crab roll with herb remoulade, Japanese cucumber with herb cream cheese, house cured smoked salmon with a dill cream and micro arugula, organic Jidori chicken liver mousse with a pear rosemary butter, a tiny cute grilled cheese with gruyere and roasted onion jam and an applewood smoked pork belly “wellington” with wild mushroom duxelle.  All delicious.

scones and clotted cream

I loved that the scones were made fresh on site and that the chef also included real clotted cream.  We enjoyed  sour cherry and blueberry and buttermilk scones with a nice assortment of housemade raspberry and blueberry jam, apricot marmalade and  echire butter.

housemade jams

raspberry jam

The scones were flaky and full of flavor.  The housemade jams, butter and clotted cream provided a traditional element to the afternoon tea.

dessert

The sweets came last and the presentation was so beautiful that we stared at the plate for a while before digging in.  The selection included a Sicilian orange cream puff, a French macaroon, a raspberry hazelnut financier, a apricot vanilla tart and a chocolate dipped wafer cone with white chocolate mousse.  Heavenly.

my plate of desserts, yum

Although the decor of the restaurant has changed a few things remained as I remembered- the outstanding service of the waitstaff, winding paths and secluded areas of seating around the grounds, the charming intimate  setting with round comfortable booths, and the lovely view of two regal swans wading in the lake.

For a peaceful delicious Royal Afternoon  Tea in elegant surroundings, visit the Hotel Bel Air.  $60 per person, located at 701 Stone Canyon Road, reservations at 310/472-1211.