Palm Court Entrance - Photo By Ellen Easton ©2008 - All Rights Reserved

When The Plaza, at age 98, closed its doors in 2005, it was not the end of an era. It was, in fact, to become the renaissance of one New York City's most treasured institutions.

The new ownership of Elad Properties, in partnership with Kingdom Holdings, in combination, invested over one billion dollars in a two year, lobby to roof renovation. Under the management of The Fairmont Group, The Plaza, a Henry Janeway Hardenbergh Beaux Art masterpiece, under the watchful eye of the award winning design teams of Gal Nauer Architects, Costas Kondylis & Partners, Walter B. Melvin Architects and Rani Ziss Architects have created a new haven of luxury.

No expense has been spared to insure that every detail is of the highest quality, not only in the materials and decor, but in the personnel and service as well.

From the moment the doors opened in 1907, The Plaza became a venue of choice as a world destination point. The Plaza has hosted celebrated and prominent personalities, including the fictional and mischievous Eloise, George M.Cohan, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Marilyn Monroe, the Beatles, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Leonard Bernstein, and Truman Capote.

The Palm Court, the heartbeat of The Plaza, with the million dollar restoration of a 1,800 square foot stained glass laylight not seen for fifty years, returns to a grandeur worthy of its National Historic landmark status.

The Plaza, whose very name has come to represent the epitome of unparalleled luxury and unstinting hospitality, serves afternoon tea daily in the Palm Court.

Surrounded by the European splendor of the Palm Court courtyard, the afternoon tea caters to the different tastes of its sophisticated clientele.

A blend of the best tea - time traditions with new and innovative ideas, creates a balance and flavorful combination to appeal to all guests. 

Once again the melodious songs of a piano waft through the room, against a decor of French blue and marigold yellow and ivory, the tables are set with the finest linen, crystal, Bernaudaud-Limoges china, and Christoffle silver. The floral arrangements are breathtaking. 

Having been The Plaza's tea consultant for two decades, to be a part of such an exciting endeavor was both and honor and a privilege. To be working with such an outstanding group of professionals was a dream come true. While not directly responsible for the latest incarnation, many of the traditional elements of my consultation remain a part of the new 2010 menu.

Shane Krige, the general manager of The Plaza, has selected a new Executive Chef, Willis Loughhead, and a new Pastry Chef, Jasmina Bojic, who happens to make a superb scone. All the foods and sweets are artistically crafted to please the eye. The tea vendor has blended several private label teas exclusively for The Plaza's Palm Court.

Creating an afternoon tea program can be a solitary endeavor, but more often than not it is a team effort.  In order to produce a five star serviced menu it takes more than a team, it takes an army of dedicated people.

There are many challenges when serving afternoon tea in a large venue. The Palm Court has once again reverted to the traditional English self-service, three-tier stand. Waiving the correct position of the foods presented with the scones on top, sandwiches in the middle, and pastries on the bottom, the management has decided to forgo tradition and showcase the delicate pastries on top, with the warm scones in the middle, and the sandwiches on the bottom. Regardless of the presentation, be mindful that the correct manner in which one consumes the foods remains sandwiches first, scones second, followed by the sweets.

Whether it be in the kitchen making certain that every bread is fresh, every cookie crisp, every plate artistically arranged or the wait staff who seem to be in constant motion, all have shown great pride in what they do to make the guest's experience perfect. They are trying their hardest to be the best.
 

The Plaza Hotel
Fifth Avenue and 59th Street
New York, NY

Telephone:  (212) 759-3000
http://www.fairmont.com/thePlaza

Palm Court Afternoon Tea daily, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Reservations required. No jeans, no T-shirts, sneakers, or flip-flops please.