>Margaret's Hope Estate Darjeeling at the Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay

A stroll along Half Moon Bay and an afternoon tea in the Ritz-Carlton's cozy library with mom and dad.

<- mom

The menu introduces the general history of tea ("...It has been said that in 2737 BC, Sheng Nung, the Chinese Emperor, was banished to a remote part of Southern China. Poverty forced him to drink only boiled water. One day, when some leaves fell from a nearby tree into the saucepan he was heating, he was pleasantly surprised. The resulting infusion cleared his mind and relaxed him. He often drank it, naming it Tai (peace)...") and describes each tea in detail. (Margaret's Hope Estate Darjeeling, "the Champagne of teas with subtle Muscatel flavor and a wonderful aroma".)

Here's their "Royal Tea" menu.

Champagne, Laurent Perrier, "L-P", Brut, Tours sur Marne
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Your choice of tea (see below)
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Smoked Salmon with Saffron Cream, Salmon Caviar and Dill on Dark Rye Bread
Cucumber and Crushed Pink Peppercorns, Dill Cream Cheese on Whole Wheat Bread
Sesame Chicken Salad, Apple and Currant Relish on White Bread
Egg Wedge with Paprika Mayonnaise, Onion Sprouts on White Bread
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Caramelized Cashew, Cherry & Coconut Scone
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Seasonal Fruit Tart
French Macaroon
Earl Grey & Raspberry Diamant
Olive Oil Cake with Apricot Confiture
Chocolate Fondant, Salted Caramel Ganache
Eclair Praline
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California Strawberries served with Vanilla Whipped Cream and Grand Marnier

Fifty-Eight Dollars

The tea choices were: (unrelated links)
Yorkshire Gold
Scottish Breakfast
English Breakfast
Blue Sapphire
Afternoon Darjeeling
"Special Rare" Darjeeling, Margaret's Hope Estate
Earl Grey
China Rose Petal
Japanese Green Tea Whole Leaf "Imperial Gunpowder"
Vanilla
Mango
Jasmine Blossom Green Tea
Spiced Orange
Chamomile Flowers
Peppermint
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"There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea."
-The Portrait of a Lady, Henry James