A Tradition Worth Keeping
History is often not certain about the origins of some things; sometimes, an event’s history is accredited one way, but may have gone down another. That’s the case with High Tea. Now, for many, including the internet, we owe the afternoon ritual to Duchess Anna Russell, the Duchess of Bedford in the 1840s. According to legend, her family ate at 8pm, and she got hungry prior, so between 4pm and 5pm she had tea and cakes (Sometimes referred to as the German Way) in her suite as part of Queen Victoria’s court. Friends found out, joined in, and soon the Queen found out and the rest is afternoon history.
Others disagree and say that high tea was being enjoyed in the 1700s, long before the good Duchess.
Whatever, the case, it’s a ritual that has endured, and one that I fully enjoy. My first high tea was at Home House in London, England, in 1999. My late husband and I were guests of the proprietor, Larry Jenesky and were in the UK to review Mamma Mia in the West End and meet members of ABBA. We had jet lag, and Andrew went to nap, but I was invited to High Tea in the grandest ballroom I’ve ever seen in my life (at that time). It was pomp, circumstance, gorgeous service ware, cakes, confections, tea sandwiches and delicious teas from around the world. Then, the Queen Mum, as in the Mother of The Queen, stopped by as part of her birthday celebration. By the time it was over, I never wanted it to end. So it didn’t. Every day, from that day forward, including today, between 4pm and 5pm I have High Tea.
Once I became vegan that became harder, since many bakeries don’t want to take the time to make the fabulous confections dairy-free or be creative with sandwiches and snacks as High Tea is a mix of savory and sweet. But some do.
In Las Vegas, NV, there’s a few places that will cater to vegans wishing to be civil and sit for a lovely cuppa in the afternoon. One is like Disneyland, and one is more along the lines of what the Duchess may have encountered.
The Disneyland of High Tea in Las Vegas is the Waldorf Astoria. You enter through the newly renovated hotel, and take the elevators up almost all the way, towering high above the Las Vegas strip. You’re seated in front of a giant window, looking North, with the entire Las Vegas Strip in your view. The treats are good, but corporate. The food is not the star here, it’s the views. That doesn’t mean the food is bad; on the contrary, the scones were warm and tasty; the sandwiches inventive for being vegan, with curry flavors, cucumber and more; and, the pastries were fancy enough to satisfy any Duchess. It’s almost $80 with tax/tip, but they do have a great tea selection, the service ware is fine china (not vegan, it’s bone china) and it’s a great place for special occasions with a “wow” factor bonus. I’ve been a few times, but now, tend to shy away because of the influencers basically using the place as a photo shoot or video set instead of a place to relax, engage in conversation and celebrate life.
Off strip and on ground level and just blocks from my home is another tea house, the Cobblestone Cottage (7795 W. Sahara Ave. #108, LV NV, 702-640-0691). It’s an unassuming spot, located in a small corner mall but it’s big on flavor, and heart. They can accommodate vegans so long as you give them a head’s up at least 24 hours in advance, because the owner, Arsine is also the chef and needs a little time to add in a vegan service. Arsine is all heart. The tea house is a work of love, her love of tea, of gatherings, of family and cooking. But she is just as community-minded, helping young people find their path through work, through community and service.
The interior feels cozy and warm, more Victorian than corporate and even has a small tea and accessory shop. And while I wasn’t crazy about the overhead lighting (neither is Arsine) it didn’t ruin the mood or the celebratory atmosphere.
The tea selection is extensive and they feature Tea Forté, which are some of the finest teas in the world. Arsine will suggest something or even do a custom mix.
My vegan tea started with a wonderful berry dish of raspberries, blueberries and a berry compote. There were delightful snacks that followed, a salad, puff pastries, cookie bites and more. And Arsine is looking to expand her vegan options and include them in some of her special seatings like the Bridgerton extravaganza, tea around the world (you even get a passport to stamp each time you attend) and other special events.
The Cobblestone Cottage is expanding but not just for commercial reasons, for community ones as well, to give foster kids and other youth a place to meet, to work and to learn about business. Her heart is as vast as her tea collection and settings.
In Las Vegas, there’s High Tea on a bus that travels the strip; High Tea at Petrossian at Bellagio and several others but few with Vegan options. There’s something about the ritual, it makes you slow down, allows you to enjoy some self-care and promotes conversation and community. It’s a ritual not to be missed, in fact, one to be enjoyed often and The Cobblestone Cottage or The Waldorf are both great places to partake.
To read more about these and other restaurants go to veganinvegas.com and listen for reviews on The Karel Cast wherever you get your podcasts. Reviews are often featured at youtube.com/reallykarel so subscribe as well as realvegasmagazine.com Send comments to comments@veganinvegas.com and follow the adventures of a vegan entertainer and his little dog Ember around town and beyond.
