BIG EASY: Holiday Tea Time in New Orleans

New Orleans may be best known for its more boisterous festivities, but this city also has mastered the art of hosting refined afternoon teas–-especially during the holidays. Below is a listing of yuletide teas for both children and adults:

Tea For The Holidays at Windsor Court Hotel
Dates: November 25-December 31
About: Highlights of this decadent tea include featured holiday teas and cocktails, special cranberry-orange and gingerbread scones, holiday sweets, 26 of the finest loose-leaf teas, souvenir holiday menus.
Seatings:
November 25-December 23 & 26-30 – 11am, 2pm, and 4:30pm
December 24 & 31 – 11am and 2pm
Reservations: Online or call 504-596-4773

Teddy Bear Tea at The Roosevelt Hotel
Dates: December 3-23
About: This tea is for both children and adults. Santa and Mrs. Claus welcome the whole family while fancy tea and tea sandwiches, scones, desserts, sparkling wine are served. Kids get hot cocoa, peanut butter & jelly/ham & cheese sandwiches, holiday cookies, and other goodies. Kids 12 and under also get a Roosevelt Teddy Bear, Mrs. Claus will read holiday stories, and several holiday characters will appear. Pictures with Santa will be available for purchase.
Seatings:
December 3, 4, 19, 20 -- 10am and 1pm
December 10, 11, 17, 18, 21, 22, 23 -- 10am, 1pm, and 4pm.
Pricing: General reserved seating: ages 3 and under, no charge; ages 4-10, $37 ($46.16 with tax and gratuity); 11 and up, including adults, $54 ($67.37 inclusive of tax and gratuity); Limited VIP reserved seating (includes Roosevelt champagne flute for adults, one commemorative photo per family, and premium seating near the stage): ages 3 and under, no charge; ages 4-10, $47.00 ($58.63 with tax and gratuity); 11 and up, including adults, $69 ($86.08 with tax and gratuity).
Reservations: Online or via The Roosevelt Holiday Line at 504-335-3129.

Cajun Holiday Tea with Papa Noel aboard the Creole Queen
Dates: December 3, 10, 17
About: Guests on the paddlewheeler will join Papa Noel, the Cajun Gingerbread Boy, Gaston the Gator and other jolly Cajun characters. This classic tea with tempting treats will also feature storytelling, children's activities, and merriment while cruising the mighty Mississippi. Children can hold a real live alligator and take home a stuffed one.
Boarding: 1:30pm - 2pm; Cruising: 2pm - 3:30pm
Price: Adults: $49, Children under 12: $34 (includes tax)
Reservations: Online

Papa Noel Tea at The Ritz-Carlton
Dates: December 3-24
About: This elegant tea is for both parents and their children. There will be music, storytelling, and a gingerbread masterpiece. Children will receive gifts from Papa Noel.
Seatings: December 3, 4, 10, 11, 17-24 – 11am and 2pm
Pricing: Adults and children $45 each (does not include tax or gratuity)
Reservations: Online or call 504-524-1331

Longue Vue Tea on Tuesday: Gracious Global Gifts with Vom Fass
Date: December 6, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
About: Join Denise Dussom, co-owner of Vom Fass New Orleans as she discusses delicious vinegars, oils, and cordials from around the globe. Sample some tasty treats and learn how to give a gracious gift this year, “straight from the cask to the customer.” A traditional tea will be served after the lecture with a selection of scones, pastries, homemade lemon curd, and finger sandwiches.
Price: $25 members; $30 nonmembers.
Reservations: Online

Longue Vue Holiday Tea and Tour
Dates: December 8, 13, 15, 20, 22, 27, and 29, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
About: Tour the house, decked in twinkling lights and festive greenery; toast the holidays with a complimentary glass of champagne; savor tea with friends; enjoy seasonal sounds; and find the perfect gift at The Shop at Longue Vue.
Price: $30 for members; $35 for nonmembers.
Reservations: Online

Longue Vue Happy Ho-Ho-Holidays Family Tea with Santa
Date: December 10, from 1 to 3 p.m.
About: Children and their parents are invited to join Santa in celebrating the holidays at Longue Vue with caroling, crafts and good cheer! Have photos taken with Santa and create a festive frame to capture and share the joyful spirit of the season. Toast the holidays with a complimentary glass of bubbly cheer, served with hot chocolate, cookies, sandwiches, and tea.
Price: For children, $15 for members; $18 for non-members. For adults, $25 for members; $30 for non-members.
Reservations: Online www.longuevue.com.

Monte Lion's Children's Holiday Tea at The Hotel Monteleone
Dates: December 10 and 17
About: Hotel Monteleone’s loveable mascot Monte the Lion hosts his annual children’s party, along with friends Santa, Frosty, Rudolph, and the elves. Mrs. Claus will read classic Christmas tales while guests enjoy savory treats, games, and caroling as a trumpeter leads a parade. Plus, photos with Santa and a complimentary stuffed Monte.
Seatings: 10am and 2pm
Pricing: $50 for adults, $36 for children.
Reservations: Online or call 504-681-4452

The Royal Teddy Bear Tea at the Royal Sonesta Hotel
Dates: December 11-23
About: Highlights include a visit from many favorite holiday characters and a parade. Guests get a select assortment of freshly prepared tea sandwiches, homemade currant buttermilk scones and breakfast breads are served with lemon cream and preserves. Christmas cookies, chocolate truffles, chocolate-dipped strawberries, and much more.
Seatings:
December 11, 12, 17, 18, 19 -- 11am and 2pm
December 20, 21, 22, and 23 -- One seating only at 11am
Pricing:
Premium Seats (closest to stage): Adults $68, kids $53
Regular Seats: Adults $58.00, kids $43.00
Prices include tax and gratuity.
Reservations: Online or at 504-553-2201

BIG EASY: Hotel Monteleone... for Kids?

Given that the hubster is STILL in recovery mode after contracting French Quarter Funk at the Oyster Festival last week (perhaps I overplayed the bravado a bit in that post), I decided to skip all the festival festivities this weekend, and opted for a less crowded French Quarter activity: a birthday party for Monte the Lion, the Hotel Monteleone’s mascot.

Like me, I’m sure many of you have been to a kiddie party or two in a swank locale that tried to cater to both the kids and the parents, only to fall short in both categories. Oh, cool -- mommy gets to go the fancy hotel in a nice dress, but she has to spend the whole time catering to her bored, cranky kid because the hosts just threw out some stupid crafts, a lame DJ, and some snacks in silver serving dishes. Certainly the kids will be satisfied simply hanging out in the Ooh-La-La Hotel. Serious miscalculation. Wasted afternoon.

That’s why when I committed to this party, I didn’t have very high expectations. Sure, it was at the fabulous, historic Hotel Monteleone, which I’ve passed in the French Quarter a million times, but never actually visited. I always hear about the cool Carousel Bar and its amazing cocktails, but this ain’t that kind of affair. So, in we trudged, up to the ballroom, past all the chandeliers and grandeur, and I wondered how long we’d have to stay without seeming rude.

I have to admit, it was a pretty nice spread. Kid-friendly hot dogs, hamburgers, and french fries galore were all displayed in the aforementioned silver chafing dishes, along with fine silverware, embossed napkins, and a friendly, accommodating staff in crisp white uniforms. And they upped the ante quite a bit with a made-to-order, cold-stone ice cream station and a DIY cupcake decorating table. Nicely played, but come on, even if we hit the crafts table, we could burn through this in 45 minutes flat.

What I didn’t account for was the formidable hosting committee. Monte the birthday lion was joined by Gumbo the Saints’ St. Bernard, Boudreaux the Zephyrs’ nutria, Hugo the Hornet, and B97’s bee (they're pictured, above, playing a comical game of musical chairs). Yeah, I know it’s their jobs to entertain and all, but you’d sort of understand if they phoned it in for a little kids’ party. But for two hours, these guys (and a girl) were as committed to silly party games as they are to entertaining thousands of screaming sports fans, and they lavished each kid with tons of attention. Seriously, after being hugged on and spun around and tickled the whole time, I had to pry my son off poor Gumbo more than once.

Even their choice of DJ was spot on. This dude managed to keep things rolling with just enough banter to goad the mascots and keep both kids and parents amused – not an easy task. The grand finale was a second line around the room, complete with napkins a-wavin’ all over the place. God bless New Orleans!

I’m not kidding when I tell you I was grinning like an idiot the whole time, and my kid was sopping wet with dance-induced sweat. Oh, and our final departure time was 15 minutes after the event was scheduled to end. THIS is how it’s done, folks!

We skipped Monte’s annual children’s holiday tea last year, as it sounded like a disciplinary nightmare for my active five-year-old, but I’ve seen the light. These people know what they’re doing, so we’ll be first in line for this year’s festivities!

For more info on the Hotel Monteleone or to check out their calendar of events, visit http://www.hotelmonteleone.com/