Afternoon Tea at The Grand America Hotel

Several weeks ago, for my sister in law's birthday, I had somehow happened upon this amazing event that takes place in Salt Lake City, every day. Afternoon Tea. At The Grand American Hotel. Amanda loves tea, and as soon as I found out about this, I knew she would just die. Amanda had been helping me so much over the past few months, and I definitely wanted to repay her in some way for everything she had done for me. I knew this was the perfect way to do it! I surprised her the Saturday after her birthday and we had the most wonderful afternoon exploring the hotel and enjoying the most amazing tea and food! It was so much fun, and we felt so pampered! The whole time we were there, all we could talk about was how much our Nana would love it (Nana is where Amanda's love for tea came from in the first place!). We loved it so much, we wanted to share it with the rest of our family!

Fast forward to a few weeks ago on a Sunday, we finally went back with everyone else! Nana, Amanda, myself, Chloe, our cousin Brittany, her daughter, Skylie and Amanda's girls, Makayla and Addison all went to tea. And oh my goodness, it was even more fun! We had such a great time, the tea was delicious, the service was great, it was a gorgeous day, the food was amazing, and the company was the best! I think it's become a new tradition for the Ashby girls - we've just got to get mom on board!

I would recommend this to absolutely anyone. There's a cover charge, basically, and it's by reservation only, but everything is planned for you. They have a menu of teas - caffeinated, light caffeine, herbal, and even several different hot chocolates (perfect for bringing the younger girls and non-tea lovers along!), and then the staff takes it from there! The menu is set with sandwiches and pastries, and there are so many, you're bound to find something you love and feel stuffed even if you don't eat everything!

They start you off with strawberries and creme chantilly, then bring out your choice of tea (in your own little tea pot!) and slowly begin bringing five finger sandwiches, scones, even PB&J variations for the little girls. They have everything from ham and cheese to egg salad to smoked salmon wraps, it was so delicious! They take their time and let you relax and enjoy the afternoon, which I love. They aren't rushing you, like a restaurant would. Once you've finished sandwiches, they bring out the dessert course! There were so many! Homemade gum drops, lemon and raspberry meringue, strawberry pistachio cake, chocolate mousse, raspberry finger cookies... it's hard to not have one of everything!

We had such a good time! My favorite part of the whole afternoon was watching 3 year old Addison at tea. She is such a girly girl, always wanting to wear dresses, and bows in her hair, and she was on cloud nine with her own tea cup and hot chocolate, all these pretty little foods, and in such a fancy place. She was so dainty and polite - it was the cutest thing, I couldn't stop watching her!

After tea, everyone headed back to Orem but Amanda had some time to kill before meeting the rest of her family up there for a different event, I stuck with them for another hour or so and we wandered temple square with the little girls. It was such a gorgeous afternoon, not even too cold, and we had such a sugar rush from tea that we were glad to walk off! We took the girls to the Christus and inside the south visitor's center, which has the temple replica. Makayla, who's 11 asked so many questions and was so intrigued by it all. We talked about the symbolism on the outside of the temple, the way it was built, and the effort it took to haul the granite slabs out of the mountains with ox-pulled carts, and she just soaked it all up. It was so fun to learn with her and discuss. She's such a smart girl, I forget that she's 11 because she's just so tiny! I love my family!

It was a perfect day.