I was invited out to have “afternoon tea” with a fellow foodie friend whom I haven’t seen in 3 years as a treat.
The good news is we have a coupon.
The bad news is the cost is still pretty high.
See, it’s normally $97 but it’s on for $50… but what do I get out of it?
- Tea — I feel like I could sneak in my own pot of Earl Grey Cream tea
- Scones — Hello Tim Horton’s Ham & Cheese Tea Biscuits
- Sandwiches — Cucumber? Hmm…
- Desserts — This sounds interesting.
- Alcohol — I don’t drink, so this is a lost cause
All of the above can’t even begin to add up to $50.
I’d say $20 at the maximum, and I’m pretty sure it isn’t unlimited all you can eat 😛
I’m also really suspicious of places that can charge $97 for something and are easily able to drop their prices down by almost 50%!
This same skepticism goes across retailers too. How can they have such insane sales for $9.99 for a shirt that used to be $58? Ugh.
That being said, I’ve never been to one, and being someone who loves trying new experiences, I’m wondering if I should just go, dress up, and drink tea with little gloves and my pinky raised.
(Oh and no matter what, don’t even ask. This is totally going to kill my budget for the month either way. Forget the $1000/month for December. Rent, Food and Parking eats up almost all of the budget.)
Just a girl trying to find a balance between being a Shopaholic and a Saver.
I cleared $60,000 in 18 months earning $65,000 gross/year.
Now I am self-employed, and you can read more about 
I think in those cases, you can’t think of it as paying for the food/ tea… you have to take in the atmosphere (a definite upgrade from the stereotypical coffee shop) and remember that for afternoon tea, you’ll probably sit there for 3 hours (easily!) chatting it up. Dress up and drink tea with little gloves with your pinky raised! and take pictures! ^^
I know but I can\’t separate the two. Or pay for atmosphere.
No matter how much I might love a friend I would not suck it up and pay $50 for a meal. NO WAY! That could feed me for a week. Suggest something more affordable 🙂
My recent post Chickpea Curry Comfort Food-Savory Vegan Recipe
Chipotle 🙂
Different strokes for different folks. I've done afternoon tea a couple of times in my life (school field trips, entertaining friends from out of town, a super girly get-together, when I was in London). Like the other commenters said, you're not just paying for the tea and little sandwiches and pastries, but the overall experience and the service and atmosphere. It's pricey but if you've never experienced it before it's a fun one-time indulgence.
My recent post Birds Of A Feather
I suggested Chipotle in the end 😉
$97? $97? No, really…$97? That's crazy talk.
On the other hand, perhaps I should fashion the guest bedroom into a tea room and charge crazy prices for Costco Earl Grey and ham sandwiches….hmmmmm…
My recent post Petite Holiday Gift Guide
$97. Not $0.97
I went to Chipotle 😛
Since it’s only $25/each, I’d go & consider it a “treat”! 🙂 I think it would be worth every penny! Let us know what you decide! 🙂
I ended up not going. Chipotle it was!
Personally, I'd like to have tea at the Plaza hotel one day. It's $50, but the menu there seems worth it. Plus, I mean…it's tea at the Plaza!
If you aren't excited about it at all though, I'd say skip it. To me, it sounds like a nice way to spend a afternoon.
My recent post My first GIVEAWAY!
It just isn\’t a dream of mine. If it was for my mom\’s birthday or a REALLY special occasion of what someone REALLY wanted to do (like dreaming about it for years), I\’d go. But it\’s a one-off.
I think $50 for tea for two is a good value. But, if it's not in your budget and not something you want to splurge on, then you did the right think to suggest something else. Chipotle is pretty good; just a totally different experience.
My recent post Avery Labels and ReUsies Winners!
Chipotle is a more filling experience I think 🙂
I think it's an afternoon rip off!
I went to a bachelorette party with an afternoon tea thing (where the maid of honour paid, thank goodness) but I wasn't even full after.
I honestly don't get what all the hype is about. I guess it's a chance for girls to feel girly????
I would not fork out $50 for an afternoon of looking at dainty things that look to nice to stuff in your mouth.
Even if it was at the Empress Hotel (though tempting) in Victoria BC 😉
Girly for $25/each? Nuh uh. NUH UH!!!!!!!!!
My Goodness! High Tea at the Empress Hotel in Victoria, BC is only $55 AND that's Canadian dollars AND you get a package of tea to take home!
In the end, it comes down to what you think of your friend and how willing you are to spend this much on a high-end experience that only she will actually enjoy.
I will say that a number of mothers and I took our graduating daughters out to a high tea a couple of years ago, and it was a wonderful experience all around–but then again, it was $30 a person!
My recent post Managing the Many Moods of Christmas
Well I think the real price is $48 for 2 people, so it\’s really NOT $48 per person as I had thought. Even so!
Oh, that's not a bad price and I actually really like tea! It's not so much the food as the ambiance and the whole experience. I went to tea at the Drake Hotel in Chicago recently and really liked it. My best friend and I sat there for 2-3 hours and chatted and had nice hot tea and pretty yummy but small sandwiches, etc. I liked the sound of the water fountain there, the harpist, the good service. It was all worth it to me and I am super cheap.
In the end I couldn\’t pay for it. I just couldn\’t!
My vote is to delicately suggest something nice but lower-cost. If she balks then just go to afternoon tea and have a great time with your good friend and chalk it up as one of those "experiences" it's better to spend your money on than stuff.
Well she’s too polite to balk 🙂 She totally accepted my Chipotle substitute!!!
It's Pricey! with that money you might as well get a full meal
I agree that "the less food served, the more expensive!" Take Sushie for example, if I jgo to a Sushie place, it's much pricier. I go to Chinese/Korean/Japanese buffet, and they also serve sushie along with a bunch of other yummy food. I get my money's worth and a happy stomach 🙂
Tell me about it. This is why I\’d rather buy a full meal!
Total ripoff. At the Banff Springs, the afternoon tea price is $40-$50 (with champagne) – regular cost. And that's the Banff SPRINGS !!! (Note that I haven't actually gone, just looked up their menu online).
My style is more the high tea at the Lake Agnes Teahouse in the Rockies which can only be reached by horse or on foot up a mountain. Guilt free carbs with all that exercise. About $8 / pp. 🙂 Of course, there's no flush toilets either… LOL
I don't know FAB, I've heard there's some good tea houses in Victoria. Never went to one, but did walk by some.
(love that you looked up the menu online :P)
My style is more stuff your belly until you can\’t move. 🙂 I\’m not keen on spending even $25 on that. $10 maybe. Atmosphere is just not worth that kind of cash for me. I guess I\’m too cynical/frugal/cheap for this.
I’m pretty sure this place is Windsor Arms Hotel…(if not i’m sorry)
One of my ex-colleagues works there and the hotel is well-known for afternoon tea. Around special days like Mother’s day, their reservations start to fill up months before.
As for the price, it is based on the prestige of the hotel/venue’s brand & luxury experience. Their main target market for afternoon tea is, well, rich people with money to burn, not everyday fru-gals like us:)
While $50 isn’t cheap by any means for a cup of tea and scones, I think it’s worthwhile to try it at least once. I’d imagine the experience and service you will get at this place is probably totally different & far better than, say Tim Horton’s for example. I’m sure you will have a great time AND you don’t have to pay the full price for it! (It’s really pretty there, you should take a lot of photos to compensate for the $50. 😀 )
Oh count me out. I am not a rich girl at all.
I asked her to go somewhere else. She was cool with it. Very gracious. She IS a huge foodie though. The last time we went to a restaurant the bill was $300 for two of us!!!! I ALMOST CHOKED. I felt sick but it was her birthday so I paid and now I watch out for overspending like that.
I would normally say go for it, but trying to be more responsible and creative these days… why not have a tea party at home and spend the $15 it would cost to throw it together. Then you can sit and chat on comfy couches as long as you like!
My recent post Authenticity Equals Power Self-Discovery- Word by Word
Or just not go and go to someplace cheaper like Chipotle 🙂
FB, seriously I would say go. You are merely paying for the experience and a professional setting.
info@workingmomjournal.com
…Which is what makes me cringe 🙂
Maybe she’s not getting anything out of the setting or experience, though? Some people just don’t get much out of the whole experience of tea, for whatever reason. Maybe they’re just not interested, like some people get nothing out of going to the spa. Maybe they would rather be at home or in another setting. Maybe they have to go to events like that or teas all the time for whatever reason (this was once my job) and are burned out on it, especially around the holidays.
Exactly. I can\’t get over the cost of the actual items. I don\’t like paying for atmosphere…. 🙁
yeah, like a noodle shop which can feed twice as much people rather than the high tea.
i think we would feel a lot better if we stay true to ourselves and our principles. and good on you for thinking about the purchase before plunging straight into it!
Thanks!
It depends. If me and said friend haven’t ever been to a certain place I’d join them. Yes its expensive but sometimes it can be fun to go to such outings. Its not like you go to them every day. I would make sure I had the budget for it though. Its up to you, sometimes its worth it sometimes it isn’t.
For me, it isn\’t worth it any longer. I can\’t pay for that.
Why can’t you and your friend make your own tea party things and have it at one of your place’s?
Where is this place? Sounds like somewhere in Toronto…was it a Groupon offer you’re referring to?
Actually I don\’t have a place where she lives, so I may just end up picking a restaurant. A cheaper one.
That's a total rip-off. I would normally not agree to go, but since it's your friend that you haven't seen in forever (and I'm assuming she chose the place), I don't see anything wrong with "indulging" just this once (though I'd personally find it painful to indulge in something that isn't even a favorite indulgence of mine, haha!).
My recent post a vintage poem by me
She did choose it. 🙂 I think I just want to see her, not my wallet crying.
I think much of what they're charging for is the experience. While it's not in everyone's budget, you're not JUST paying for tea and scones and tea sandwiches. You're paying for the service and the experience.
If it's a friend you haven't seen in a while, and you *have* the money (though it's not in your budget and not something you're going to make a habit out of), I say go and enjoy the new experience 🙂
Ended up deciding to go somewhere cheaper instead.
Oh, it's only once. Then you can write about it.
My recent post Paulas Make-Up Recommendations- Frugal to Splurge
I've been once – I didn't pay because it was a bridal shower, but honestly the food wasn't at all worth what I'm sure it cost, and even the tea wasn't that great. Go somewhere you'll actually enjoy!
I would say skip it and go to tim horton's instead, i am a huge fan of tea myself (indian chai rather :)) – but i can skip that for hortons' french vanilla cappuccino.
I've been to high tea once. I didn't pay, it was someone else's birthday. Not all you can eat but we got pretty full anyway!
Go. It's not that much really and it's a friend you haven't seen in 3 years.
My recent post Reverb 10- Community
*waffles*
arg.. this is where personal finance gets tough.
Since my country's currency is not in dollars, I had to go and use a converter… and WHOA! I'd never pay THAT much for what you show in the picture. OK let's say $30 at most if it is a really elegant place, where just sitting there is awesome… Is the $50 for 1 or for 2 people? Last time I was out I paid that much for 4 people… and it consisted of a hell lot more food than that. D:
On the other hand, I can totally understand your fascination with going out for tea. That tray with food selection is making my mouth water… 😛
I think it\’s $50 for 2 people, as far as what people are telling me.
Tea = Love. But I can love tea just as much at home. For cheaper.
Well OK, if it's a very elegant place, $50 for two people is … meh acceptable. But I dread to think what would happen if you didn't have a coupon (well probably not go). Granted, prices here are lower then in Canada, but then so are our salaries too. :
Without a coupon there\’d be no chance in hell I\’d go!
I say go! Your friend really wants to go, you can afford it (you're still meeting your financial goes! One over-priced meal won't erase any of the progress!), and it will definitely be an experience. It will probably be better than you think. I wouldn't be stuck so much on the cost, focus more on quality time with your friend!
I couldn\’t stomach the cost for just an interim meal in between meals… so I told her we should do a lunch instead. She agreed 🙂
I'm assuming she got the WagJag coupon for the Windsor Arms full tea?
The reason they're offering it cheap is because it's only valid during the week. I almost bought it, too. Also, it's $50 for BOTH of you, so it'll be around $25 each. I really like the tea at the Arms, I've gone there several times for special occasions, it's a wonderful experience!
Full tea is really about the experience, not just the foods and stuff. Although from doing my own tea party I understand why they charge so much–it was way too much work!
Full tea can be had anywhere. High tea means an actual meal with meat dishes, veg, etc. You can read up on the differences in the old tea party posts on my blog! The hotels in Toronto don't offer a true high tea, more of an afternoon one with the sandwiches. It's meant to be had as an in-between after lunch and before dinner, but not to substitute either. You'll have to feed yourself dinner, FB!
My recent post Event Planning- Holiday Dinner Party
Whoa not $50 EACH?
That\’s not so bad then.
It also depends on how long you can loiter and eat in a comfortable area. If you can sit around for 3-4 hours talking and enjoying the atmosphere I would do it. Its a fellow foodie, the quality should be good and you haven't seen each other in three years. In the end the memory of the experience will trump the cost.
I work in fashion…kind of … but before I got into the design part I was in the extremely boring financial department. Even at 90% off clothing cost less to manufacture! Of course when you factor in bringing the clothes to the US, distribution, operating a store overhead, etc it cost more than that. So a $150 suit marked down to $15 still only cost about $11 to manufacture. I was apalled!
Holy cow. That\’s really surprising re: the $150 > $11 manufacturing cost.
Kind of depressing too. 🙁
Yes 🙁 I feel your pain! I went to a baby shower at a "afternoon tea party" … cost $35 @__@~ i was already crying (inside).. but there wasn't much I could do since it was a big group of girls.
Since you are only going out with a friend you haven't seen… maybe try a place that is almost the same price but with better or more food…if "trying something new" is something on your friend's mind (the more bang for your buck theory).
My recent post Stressed
I\’m still not sold at $25 per person. I say that I can make tea and little cute sandwiches for a lot cheaper.
Holy geez! Totally not worth it. I mean…those sammiches look pretty good, but not for a hundred bucks (or even fifty!). You could throw your own, better tea party – especially if you're a foodie – for cheaper and with much cooler nosh. What a frikken rip!
My recent post Pardon My Absence
Which is why I\’m thinking vietnamese sandwiches (LOL!)
Are these US or Canadian dollars?
Perhaps this is the reason why I'm in debt and can't follow my budget, but fun experiences like this are hard to put a value on. Sure, if your friend agrees to do something different, then go for it. Tea, however, is totally fun and will be memorable!
CAD.
I know it\’s hard to put a value on it but I guess I don\’t like paying for atmosphere when I can get it elsewhere for cheaper. Hmmm… am wavering now.
i love love love high tea!! however….. there has GOT to be cheaper high tea than this. You need to find the authentic british tea shop that does high tea. The fancy hotel high tea where we used to live was probably $60 for the same thign you're showing. but our local, authentic british tea shop (run by a charming british lady) served the exact same thing (probably minus the alcohol) for $20. And… the food was way better.
If you can find another tea place, then your friend still gets the high tea, dress up excitement, you still get to enjoy tea, and you both save a bundle.
My recent post Pay student loans… while still in school
True. Or I can just buy the tea and do it myself 🙂
I wouldn't go. I would cringe at spending that much for afternoon tea. I hosted an afternoon tea at my apartment for 8+ people, and I made all the sandwiches, and lots of little treats, a display of sliced up fruit, and had multiple tea options.
It certainly didn't cost me $97 to host. I had to buy a tea pot, so I think I did spend around $50 or so, but that worked out to no more than $5 a person.
This is exactly why I\’m cringing!!!! The COST. Oh the COST!
That's just plain CRAZY! I would defeinitely deny the invite and keep in mind my ultimate goals 🙂
Right on board with that 🙂 So far.
The only way to get out of it is to suggest something even better. Otherwise, just enjoy your friend and forget about the money.
My recent post Social Security Holiday- The Gift That Keeps On Giving
I\’ll probably end up suggesting something better.
Must be at a super duper fancy hotel?? I agree, the price is super high but I say go for the experience… I’d love to read about the experience 🙂
Enabler! 🙂
I feel like I could make my own awesome tea party.
You can (and should!) host your own tea party. Everyone liked the one that I hosted, and we could play board games and enjoy each others company without a high price tag.
Plus you could have BF help create delicious food!
I could rope him into little tarts or something. He makes an awesome creme brulee and rice pudding.
Wow, do you mind telling where it is that the tea is 90 plus dollars? Because even at the Plaza in New York, the tea is only like $50 or $60 full price, and that's New York City.
That\’s pretty cheap. I say in London it was something like 60 pounds. my mom tried to get me to go so she could live vicariously.
I guess prices are lower here since afternoon tea is less popular in America? The Pierre in NYC is like $45 including sparkling wine, only $35 if you don't drink alcohol. The Willard Hotel in Washington DC's prices are like that too. The Peninsula in Beverly Hills only charges like $30 something for tea including champagne. I forgot, but it doesn't cost much more to add fancy foods, like caviars…
And those are three terrific hotels in the best locations in very high-cost-of-living cities…I can't imagine a tea in the US having a $97 sticker price unless there was some very special add-on.
I guess it\’s $50 for two people or the \”group\”, not $50 each like I thought!
Ohhh phew…that’s better…
But not by much, right?
If your friend can easily be persuaded to go someplace cheaper then give it a shot. If your friend is really keen to go, then just go. As long as you're not meeting too many friends for expensive afternoon tea, don't feel too bad about it. As you said, it's been 3 years since you've seen your friend.
If it was me I would be trying to eat as much as I can and stuffing little cakes into my purse.
My recent post MAC STUDIO SCULPT SPF 15 NC15 REVIEW
Hmm. I think I\’ll try and persuade her to go more low-key. She seems excited about it, but I just feel sick knowing it\’s tea and scones for $50 when I could eat very well on half that for a full meal with an appetizer and so on.
As for stuffing cakes into my purse, I\’d be stuffing them into my mouth 😛 I have a pretty big appetite which is why I\’d be worried about it not being AYCE. (all you can eat)
It,s all about the company and the relaxing day out rather than what you are eating, in fact the less on your plate the more expensive it gets. Imagine if someone came to your house for tea and sandwiches and you put cucumber in them !!!! I know my friends wouldent be too impressed.
I think it,s a rip off and the tea houses know it,s a rip off.
My recent post My Whinge FestSorry !!!!!
LOL!! The less I have the more expensive it is? Goodness.
It is price-y! I would normally say skip it because I also can't see how all that food (although those tea sandwiches are pretty good) and tea can add up to what you will be paying. But then again, you'll be meeting your friend who you haven't seen and this won't be a habitually thing, so maybe if you can find it in your budget, I'm hesitate to say go.. But yeah, I don't know how I would feel after spending that much on an afternoon tea. (and this coming from someone who enjoys tea)
I am a huge fan of tea. Like crazy about it. But even at 50% off (ish) it\’s still more expensive than what I\’d spend on a single meal eating out.
Eh. Go. You had me at new experience. and dear friend. That combo is rarely bad. Sounds like a rip off if you put it that way (tallying up the cost of everything), but it sounds fun. $50 worth of fun, I am not sure about, but if it's something you've been dying to try, it'll be worth it. to be sure about it, you could research if this place is the #1 place to go for tea and if it has good reviews.
(What on EARTH are they serving you for $97?! Those cakes better be gilded. :))
Oh those cakes are definitely gilded 😛
I have never researched the place, and apparently the only place to have high tea is in England, not Canada 😛
hm, i think, you should go to another place with more value for your money.
Like to a noodle shop right?