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.

coffee holidays

Coming attraction

J. Alexander’s to debut in Plano with famed steaks and carrot cake

Courtesy J. Alexander's

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Tennessee-born upscale dining chain J. Alexander’s is set to make its Dallas-Fort Worth debut in Plano, with an extensive menu of hand-cut steaks, sandwiches, Asian-influenced appetizers, and its famous carrot cake.

J. Alexander’s will open the doors at 3980 Dallas Pkwy. on Monday, January 26, marking its first location in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.

For those who are unfamiliar with J. Alexander’s, the chain opened its first location in Nashville, Tennessee in 1991, and has since expanded to nearly 40 outposts across the country. It is known for an upscale vibe and classic American cuisine, similar to a spot like Houston’s or Perry’s Steakhouse.

The Plano location is the 39th for the chain, which was acquired in 2021 by SPB Hospitality, which also operates Logan’s Roadhouse and fast-food chain Krystal, among other eateries.

“Bringing J. Alexander's to the Dallas-Fort Worth area is a meaningful step in our continued growth and reflects our confidence in the state,” says G.J. Hart, SPB Hospitality CEO, in a release. Hart added that the chain already has plans to open a second location, in Prosper, later this year.

When it opens in Plano, J. Alexander’s will serve a “polished yet approachable” menu that’s mostly centered around its wood grill. A number of beefy options will be on offer, including teriyaki-marinated Steak Maui and slow-roasted prime rib, along with lighter options that include trout almondine, seared ahi tuna, and a shrimp Louie salad.

Shareable snacks include deviled eggs and the “Avocado Bomb,” a striking dish of hand-cut ahi tuna and crab salad with thin slices of avocado wrapped around it to resemble the whole fruit.

It's also known for its icing-topped carrot cake, which many insist is the best they've ever had — numerous copycat recipes for the treat exist online.

On the boozy side of the menu, J. Alexander’s will serve an extensive list of wines, plus cocktails like the Midnight Margarita, mixed with black cherry jam, reposado tequila, and pink Himalayan salt. A lineup of handcrafted martinis will also be available, including the cheekily-named Red Headed Rita (mixed with pomegranate juice and blanco tequila) and the Fleur-de-Lis, made with sparkling wine, St. Germain, and grapefruit juice.

When it debuts on January 26, J. Alexander’s will be open Monday-Saturday from 11 am-10 pm, and Sunday from 11 am-9 pm. As part of the opening day festivities, J. Alexander’s says that it will make a donation to the Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County, a nonprofit that provides assistance to those impacted by child abuse.

steakhouse openings j. alexander's plano