Spot of Tea

Teatime is no parlor game at the Ritz-Carlton, Cleveland. "We do it with as much elegance and as much magic as the Ritz-Carlton is known for," says the hotel's executive chef, Richard Arnoldi. The holiday teas, held annually since 1991, reverently re-create the spirit of English high tea. From the three-tiered silver platter of savory delights featuring classic smoked salmon and cream cheese sandwiches, served open-faced and crustless, to an array of gourmet confections paired with clotted cream and preserves, it's clear that the Ritz isn't putting us on — this is the real deal. "We make [the teas] as traditional and as recognizable as they were when it was fashionable to come," says Arnoldi, once head chef at the Grosvenor House in London. "And the experience really is about the tea," he stresses. "Our staff is well-educated on the different tea selections: on the cut of tea, the type of tea and where the teas come from." This popular holiday pastime starts brewing again weekends throughout December, including three dates of the kid-friendly Teddy Bear Tea featuring Mrs. Claus. 1515 W. Third St., Cleveland, 216-623-1300, ritzcarlton.com