| Chalkboard, 4343 N. Lincoln in Chicago, has begun High Tea service, says Chef Gilbert Langlois. "We think it's ideal for the neighborhood. We had talked about it with various guests who live around here and they loved the idea. There is something genteel and sophisticated about it and it's an opportunity to have fun with your friends."
Chalkboard's High Tea Service is now served from 2pm-4:30pm on Saturdays, with plans to expand into full weekend service.
"We just started this and already people who have come in just love it," adds Langlois.
According to legend, one of Queen Victoria's (1819-1901) ladies-in-waiting, Anna Maria Stanhope (1783-1857), known as the Duchess of Bedford, is credited as the creator of afternoon teatime.
Because the noon meal had become skimpier, the Duchess suffered from "a sinking feeling" at about four o'clock in the afternoon. At first the Duchess had her servants sneak her a pot of tea and a few breadstuffs.
Adopting the European tea service format, she invited friends to join her for an additional afternoon meal at five o'clock in her rooms at Belvoir Castle. The menu centered around small cakes, bread and butter sandwiches, assorted sweets, and, of course, tea.
This summer practice proved so popular, the Duchess continued it when she returned to London, sending cards to her friends asking them to join her for "tea and a walking the fields." The practice of inviting friends to come for tea in the afternoon was quickly picked up by other social hostesses.
While there are no "fields" to walk through in Lincoln Square, guests should feel free to take a walk through the tony neighborhood after their spot of tea and scones at Chalkboard...
AFTERNOON TEA MENU
Afternoon Tea Service $19
Includes pot of tea, finger sandwiches, scones with cream and jam, and
pastry plate ($14 for children under 12)
Add a glass of Champagne $15
Add a glass of Sparkling Wine $8
Loose Tea Selections
(Teas provided by Rare Tea Cellar, Upton Tea Company and Julius Meinl)
Black
Romai Estate Assam
Organic Yunnan Dao Ming
Makaibari Estate First Flush Darjeeling
Earl Gray
Decaffeinated Assam
Oolong and Green
RTC House Blend Oolong
Midnight Jasmine Flower (Beautiful Display Tea)
Temple of Heaven Gunpowder
Moroccan Mint Green
Herbal tisanes
Fields of France Rooibos
Lemon Verbena
Selection of Julius Meinl bag teas
Julius Meinl coffee, espresso, cappuccino
A La Carte Menu
Pot of tea 7
Plate of Sandwiches 10
Plate of Two Scones 8
Plate of Pastries 6
Our full wine list and bar menu is available during tea service, please ask your server.
*We are happy to accommodate vegan guests for afternoon tea.
(For the best service please contact us 24 hours in advance of your arrival so we may have ingredients on hand).
An 18% gratuity is added to parties of 6 or more
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Chicago Wine-Chalkboard Begins High Tea Service 
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