Afternoon Tea at Fort Worth's Ashton Hotel - Elegant and Sumptuous

Following is my review of afternoon tea at the Ashton Hotel in Fort Worth, Texas, which appeared in the March 2012 issue of Grandma Rae's Cracked Teapot Gazette, a quarterly online newsletter for tea lovers.....

 

 

On the first Thursday in October 2011, my friend Kay and I experienced Chef Ismael’s sumptuous 3-course gourmet afternoon tea at the Ashton Hotel, an elegant boutique hotel in downtown Fort Worth that has been fully renovated from two buildings that are listed on the National Register of Historical Places.    A lovely tea service is offered Thursday through Saturday, from 2:00 till 4:00 PM.  Reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance, and the cost is $29.00 per person.  A “Teddy Bear Tea” with a special menu for children is available for $16.00 per person, and for many fans of afternoon tea, the Holiday Tea in December is an annual tradition.  Free valet parking is provided.                                                                               

                                                                                     

The setting for the afternoon tea is the Ashton’s intimate dining room, the Six Ten Grille, where the modern Euro-style decor is both elegant and comfortable.   When Kay and I were seated at a table by the big picture window overlooking the hustle and bustle of downtown Fort Worth, our waiter brought us warmed lavender-scented towels and presented us with a menu of an assorted selection of teas from which to choose.  Kay decided on Passion Fruit with Flowers, and I chose Vanilla with Pieces.  Next, our waiter brought us each a complimentary flute of champagne and a small cup of Sweet Potato Soup, followed by Garden Vegetable Crudites,  with a goat Cheese & Lemon Dip, and Florentine Stuffed Mushroom.  We delighted in our pots of tea and continued to feast.  Assorted tea sandwiches came next; all were delicious, but our favorites were the Curried Chicken Salad on Sourdough and the Pear & Blue Cheese on Foccacia.  Fresh-from-the-oven  Apricot Scones were served with Devonshire Cream, Lemon Curd, and Lingonberry Preserves.  And, finally, we were treated to decadent Mini Chocolate Tarts and Mini Fruit Tartlets.

 

                                                                                

Kay and I found the tea fare to be delightful and the service to be excellent!  The Ashton is located at 610 Main Street, and you can make reservations for afternoon tea by calling 817-332-0100.

                                                                                 

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