Early Celebrations at L'Espalier

My birthday is just 'round the corner which means that celebrations are allowed to properly begin.
Since my brother is headed back to school tomorrow, we figured we'd celebrate early with him today.
Wanting to try out L'Espalier's "Fantasy Afternoon Tea" for quite some time now, I figured this was the perfect occasion. So into Boston we went.

L'Espalier is conveniently located on Boylston Street, which allowed for us to browse the shops on Newbury before heading over. And boy were we looking forward to warmth and hot drinks once we got to the restaurant. It's chilly out there!

We stepped into L'Espalier's ground floor entrance, were ushered into the elevator, and welcomed into the lobby once we hit the 2nd floor. From there, we were led to our table.

The restaurant is simple and elegant, and definitely on the more formal side.

Not long after sitting, our very friendly and attentive waiter greeted us. He told us the specialty teas they were featuring today and asked if we were ready to order. Unsure of which tea to start off with (so many of them intrigued me), I asked if there was any way to smell or taste the various flavors. He smiled, nodded, and directed me across the room to this table:

I went for one of their specialty teas- a mix of a black and a green - which they named their "Anniversary Blend." It was very good.

Back at the table, we glanced at the menu and ordered.

3 Little Red Riding Hoods, please and thank you. When having afternoon tea, you must go for the full sha-bang. When in Rome, no?

As we sipped on our tea, our waiter brought over three large glasses. Inside the glasses, were hot water and a walnut-sized bud. "Just wait and watch" our waiter told us.

So we did just that.

And within minutes, the bud opened up like a flower.

And started to grow.

The tea sommelier stopped at our table to explain to us what we were seeing. And let us know that it was a green tea that is supposedly very good for one's health. Pretty cool.

Our first plate was brought out right as our tea stopped flowering. And man, did it set the bar high for what was to come.

This tiny little shot held the most scrumptious, golden, apple-cider based, liquid. I could have drank a vat of it. It was paired with a biscotti which was topped with a gelled fruit of sorts. I wasn't the biggest fan of the topping, but the biscuit was tasty.

Sandwiches followed.

Classic cucumber and cream cheese, ham and cheese on croissant, deviled egg topped with crab, cornish hen salad in a pastry puff, and smoked salmon and cream cheese.

The ham and cheese was hands down the best one. Chris agreed.

We took a small break between our savory and sweet courses and poured ourselves so more tea.

 

A little birdie must have mentioned we were celebrating my birthday because this little guy was delivered to the table, accompanied by the singing of "Happy Birthday."

And the desserts just flowed from there.

With honey, clotted cream, and orange jam to top off our scones, it was a sugary wonderland.

 

The espresso cream, puff pastry swan was exquisite. But the lemon cake was my fave- it was the perfect bite of sweetness and tartness. 

We washed down and diluted our sugar intake with a few more cups of tea, relaxed back into our seats, and wished afternoon tea was a daily activity.

Eventually we finished our leisurely meal and headed back out to the lobby. 

Upon leaving, we were handed one last treat - a s'mores flavored macaroon.

A nice little touch that definitely left us wanting to come back to L'Espalier for s'more.

A perfect birthday outing in my book.

xo Belle