Holiday News

6 places in Dallas doing holiday afternoon tea for Christmas 2021

Tea during the holidays is a respite from the fray.

Hotel Crescent Court

Holidays are hectic and sitting down for tea might seem like the last thing you need. But that's precisely the point. Afternoon tea, with all of its refined traditions — the tiny bite-sized snacks you are required to nibble instead of devour, and yuck, the word nibble is annoying — is designed to serve as a respite from the fray.

Christmas tea is most often found at grand hotels, but in addition to those standbys, Dallas has a few other teas from which to choose.

(Note: These sell out fast. For example, all of the seats at the Hotel Crescent Court are already sold out.)

Here's where to find holiday tea in Dallas in 2021:

The Adolphus
Wednesday–Sunday (except Christmas Day and New Year's Day) 11 am–2:45 pm, through January 15 - $75 or $35 for 12 and under
Holiday Tea at The Adolphus in The French Room features a glass of Champagne and a three-course menu of tea sandwiches, scones, and pastries paired with loose leaf teas from Zatki, who create a custom tea blend just for The Adolphus. New in 2021 is their caviar service, featuring Regiis Ova Siberian Reserve Caviar, which can be eaten solo or added to buckwheat blini with crème fraîche and shaved yolk.

A special holiday tea will take place December 23-24, featuring the holiday tea menu along with Victorian Carolers, a photo opportunity with The Great Tree in The French Room, and a small gift upon departure.

Book online through Resy.com or call 214-651-3615 Wednesday-Sunday 10 am-4 pm. For parties of 8 or more, email azeppa@adolphus.com.

The Alexander Mansion
December 8-9, 12 noon - $65
The historic C.H. Alexander Mansion at 4607 Ross Ave. is transformed into a tearoom with elegant decorations, sweets and treats, tea, and sparkling champagne. This event hosted by the Dallas Woman's Forum is an annual tradition, and is already nearly sold out, but limited openings are still available December 8-9. Catered by The Chocolate Menu, the menu includes white chocolate cranberry scone, egg salad tea sandwich on pumpernickel bread, cucumber on white bread, chicken salad tartlet, ham and Gruyere cheese puff pastry, tomato basil soup, brownie bits, holiday linzer cookie, and meringue drop cookie. Call Holly Hall at 214-751-2300 to reserve.

Dallas Arboretum
Daily through December 31, except for Christmas Day - $53 or $63 with Champagne
Holiday tea at Arboretum takes place in a heated tent on the patio, with two seatings at 11 am and 2 pm. (It also takes place in the DeGolyer restaurant, but seating there is already sold out.) It includes soup, assorted tea sandwiches, and a third course of sweets, plus scones with clotted cream, jam, and seasonal tea selections. Price includes tax, gratuity, complimentary garden admission and parking; they recommend you plan extra time to park and get through the garden on time. Reservations are required at least 24 hours in advance, and can be made online; some days are already sold out. For info, call 214-515-6511 or teas@dallasarboretum.org.

Elm & Good
December 11 and December 18, 2-5 pm - $35
Restaurant at the Kimpton Pittman Hotel in Deep Ellum has debuted a holiday afternoon tea on Saturdays leading up to Christmas. Chef Graham Dodds comes by his tea knowledge first-hand since his mother is English. His menu includes tea sandwiches, Scottish shortbread, and scones. At $35, this one's a bargain. For reservations, call 469-498-2525.

Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas
December 12, December 19, December 26, 1-4 pm - $32 with a 4-person minimum
Holiday tea is held every Saturday in December in the Lobby Lounge, featuring Ikaati hot teas paired with sweets from pastry chef Yudith Bustos and savories from chef Paolo Gama, including caramel apple tart, opera chocolate cake, orange blossom Éclair, holiday cookies, lemon blueberry and brown butter pecan scones, lemon curd, orange marmalade, and tea sandwiches including smoked salmon with avocado crema, cucumber-mint-cream, chicken profiteroles, and a lobster roll. Reservations must be made 48 hours in advance; call 972-717-2420.

Ritz Carlton Dallas
December 11-12 and 18-19 from 1-3 pm - $85
The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas hosts a holiday version of its high tea with a glass of Champagne and sandwiches such as roast beef with onion jam, smoked salmon, cucumber-boursin, and egg-truffle-watercress, plus savory bakes like red currant scones, madeleines, cheddar crackers, and parmesan-leek croissant, and sweet bakes such as macarons, opera torte, and Key lime tart. Email ki.an@ritzcarlton.com.

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Hummus News

Revered family-owned Mediterranean restaurant debuts in North Dallas

Samantha Marie Photography

Zon Zon food spread

An upscale Mediterranean restaurant is coming to North Dallas from a trusted name: Called Zon Zon, it'll open at 5455 Belt Line Rd. #130, in the Work/Shop center, and it's hospitality group Yela Concepts led by Yaser Khalaf (Darna, Baboush), together with his son Mak Khalef in their first collaboration.

According to a release, it'll open on December 22.

Named for Mak's sister Zaina (“Zon Zon”), the restaurant will be open for lunch and dinner with a refined take on Mediterranean dining, rooted in tradition but with modern influences.

"We tried to merge what embodies Mediterranean cuisine with dishes that people in Dallas love," Mak says. "A lot of the dishes we have on menu are Mediterranean but have American and Texan influences."

Mezze favorites include hummus topped with green shatta and extra-virgin olive oil; baba ghanoush with charred eggplant, tahini, dukka, and pomegranate; crispy cauliflower with saffron labneh; tuna neya with tahini, mixed pickles, and Aleppo pepper; and kibbeh with ground lamb, onions, pine nuts, and dill labneh.

Salads include seared tuna salad with freekeh and golden beets; Tahini Caesar with tahini–Caesar dressing and za’atar croutons; and roasted beets with burrata, oranges, and pistachios.

Entrées include roasted chicken with garlic-batata and pomegranate jus; chicken shish kebab over saffron rice with almonds and raisins; hanger steak shawarma frites — a clever twist on steak frites with hand-cut fries; ZZ’s Wagyu cheeseburger with smoked provolone and house pickles; Prime ribeye with za’atar chimichurri and heirloom carrots; and apricot lamb couscous.

The beverage program complements the menu with a Mediterranean-focused wine list and creative cocktails such as the coffee-kissed Midnight Istanbul and ZZ’s Margarita, with burnt pineapple and ras el hanout.

Designed in collaboration with Dallas-based Coeval Studios, the restaurant features a 2,130-square-foot interior with an expansive 735-square-foot patio that seats 76, for a total occupancy near 100.

The restaurant boasts an open kitchen, while decorative finishes include modern woodwork, rich textures, and Middle Eastern-inspired details — stylish yet inviting, with a setting that feels like home.

“The inspiration behind Zon Zon came from wanting to create the kind of place we’ve always wished existed — a neighborhood Mediterranean spot that feels both familiar and exciting - we wanted to create a comfortable space where guests can meet up with friends or neighbors on a regular basis,” says Yaser in a statement.

Mak went to college to sudy biomedical engineering, but says he couldn't resist the lure of the restaurant world in which he grew up.

"Zon Zon is a reflection of everything we love about food," Mak says. "What makes this especially meaningful is building it with my dad — bringing our family’s story and passion to the table."

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