Off the Map: Texan Tea Party

Afternoon Tea -- The Adolphus, Dallas, TX

The Adolphus

In truth, the only reason Vodka and her college roommates, Diet Coke and Whiskey Sour, are staying at the Adolphus Hotel in Dallas is for their afternoon tea, which was recommended by Kerry Vincent on the FINGER FOOD episode of Best Thing I Ever Ate.

How Fortuitous That Vodka Has a Table All to Herself for Picture-Taking Purposes

Rather than elegant dining gear, the three of us traipse into the tea room carting various degrees of footwear, thermal layers, and merchandise from the George W. Bush Presidential Library.

Nerd Vacationing at Its Finest

In other words, we are really classing up the joint.

Vodka Was Devastated That This Gem Was Not for Sale

Thankfully, if the staff is judging us, their poker faces are on point as they explain how the proceedings will work: each of the three courses (sandwiches, scones, and treat tray) will come with a tea "pairing." 

The Bar -- So Close, and Yet So Far

We Are Only Now Realizing That They Sat Us in the Dim Back Corner. Hmmm...

The menu is left with us for the entirety of the meal, which is useful, as the only thing Vodka managed to jot down in her notes is "Diet Coke is counting the number of Canadian provinces she's been to," which is not entirely helpful information for a FOOD BLOG.

Study This Carefully, As Its the Only Insight You're Going to Get About What We're Eating

While all of the teas are quite tasty (though a little "twisted tea" never hurt anyone, now did it, Adolphus?), we'd have trouble differentiating them from each other in a line up. 

They Pretty Much All Looked Like This, So Take Our Word for It

The sandwiches, as Kerry Vincent had described, pack a deceiving punch despite their miniature size, and in the end, we all prefer a different variety. 

Sandwiches from Polly Pocket's Deli

Similarly, the scones -- one savory and one sweet -- are some of the best we have ever tasted, especially, for Vodka, when laden down with a triple serving of clotted cream. 

Great Britain Conquers Texas

Save the Preserves and Pass the Cream

Would You Like a Little Scone with Your Condiments?

Finally, the two-tiered treat tray (sidenote: the Adolphus does not respond to this display as a "treat tray") is truly something to behold, as are the complimentary macaroons which we receive as a parting gift.

Treats, Treats, Everywhere

Taking One Bite from Each Like a Tea-Time Rodent

We Do Love a Gift Bag

For $55 a person, we could not recommend the Adolphus afternoon tea more highly. Unless, of course, they started spiking their teas with some good old Texas moonshine.

The Adolphus's Afternoon Tea: 5 stars**

**Certifiable Best Thing We Ever Ate