The food tasted stale and unreasonably priced for the quality. The tea was good. The service was amazing as always.
Evelyn
We love anytime Azmir is our waiter; however, everyone here is great! A wonderful place for afternoon tea.
holly
This was my first experience for high tea at the Drake hotel. We had been looking forward to this day for months. The total cost for the 4 of us was $450 plus coat check and valet. Let me tell you the best parts. The valet who greeted us was lovely. The woman who took our coats was very pleasant. The hostess who sat us was so cheerful and friendly and got us excited about being there. The doormen/bellmen were outstanding. Joked with us, thanked us, took pictures of us. This is where the Drake failed. He host who greeted us at Palm Court was standoffish and unpleasant. Remember we were so excited to be at high tea. All he said was we will get you in closer to your reservation. (We were 10 minutes early. We were sat 20 minutes late but no apology. The server came over, not really pleasant, asked who was having a birthday, couldn't understand her, couldn't really hear her it was so loud in there, didn't act like she was happy we were there. Brought our tea, brought our food, going through the motions, never came back to see if we were fine, if everything was good or okay or if we needed anything. I had to wave someone over twice to refill water. Are you kidding? For $450? No one could even pretend they were so happy that we were so happy to be there? She also dropped the birthday dessert down for our guest and quickly left. Not even an enjoy. Not a happy birthday. Nothing. That's it. It was extremely disappointing afternoon. The food was good but the bread on the prime rib sandwiches was soggy. The staff at Palm Court really were just going through the motions. As if it was a big boring chore to them. But to us it was going to be one of the most exciting afternoons of the year. I'm not a complainer. I can have the best times at a local diner. I worked for Westin and Hyatt hotels for over 15 years. We never would have allowed guests to have such a mediocre experience (AND may I mention one more time for $450 plus valet and coat check!)
Jax
We love Palm Court and have been to tea several times there. This time, the service was odd. We felt very rushed during the tea service. The server, was nice but when I mentioned being gluten free at the beginning she said to wait until she took our tea order. When she took our tea, I said it again but she never acknowledged it. So when she brought our tea, we just reconfirmed and she seemed annoyed. She also tapped our plate when she pointed out all over our items. We did get a few hot water refills which is always great. But we definitely were in and hot in 60 mins, in the past it's been more leisurely and we have been able to sit and chat 1.5 hours. There wasn't anyone coming in after us. It wasn't like it was beyond busy. Overall, it was good and we will be back but definitely an odd experience since we've had several top notch experiences there!
Donna
This is such a special service to attend! We were celebrating my daughter's birthday and our servers Amir and Genaro were phenomenal! They were attentive, friendly and cheerful! They truly made a great experience over the top special! Amir is so sweet, charming and an excellent server. We've attended the tea service multiple times but this time was really special. And the food is always so good! The room is lovely and the charm of the Drake just welcomes you like an old friend. We will be back again!
Stephanie
The room is beautiful, but very crowded. Our seating felt rushed even with a reservation. The server looked like he had too many tables and gave a hurried description of the teas and platter of sandwiches and desserts. I would not of left a review about those details but I cannot underestimate how terrible the food tasted. I think pastries and sandwiches from a grocery store would've been miles better than what was served. Everything tasted dry, overcooked, and the price for 2 was over $200 for the worst food I've ever eaten. My first review ever but felt I need to warn anyone looking at this as a possibility for their Chicago experience to do anything else.
Jillienne
High tea is always a wonderful treat at the Palm Court. I highly recommend and will be back to enjoy the good tea, food and ambiance in the future.
Hardy
Great! Incredible service, decent food. I was so happy they had vegan options for the afternoon tea and the tea itself was fantastic. Plus, you can get extras of anything you like!
Marius Polachi
What a joke, a 100 bucks for a tea and some bites that are stale and cheap quality. (Tea service) Save your money. You will walk out hungry and you will feel robbed. Great atmosphere though. Still not worth it.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 1
Vera
I was disappointed in food quality, we had great service and great tea. Bread was hard like it was old. Sitting out.
The tea food was lovely and the harpist exceptional! The hostess was also very friendly and gracious!
Gemma Cesario
They asked for a review so i did.
“My boyfriend and I have been coming to the Christmas high tea for many years. Unfortunately, this time the service did not meet the standard we’ve come to expect. In the past, the waitstaff took their time to share the history behind the tea, describe the different selections, and explain how the service worked in a polished and thoughtful way. They always made us feel special.
This time, the person who served us wasn’t even wearing a uniform and spent only a couple of seconds speaking with us. It felt more like a cheap buffet than the elegant experience we were used to. The food and ambiance were as wonderful as always, but the service was extremely disappointing. Sadly, we won’t be returning.”
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 1
Kirsteen
Lovely experience in the Christmas room, which we were glad of as the main room was extremely noisy. Really nice touch with carol singers and harpist. Sandwiches and cakes were pretty good although we saw additional ones being brought out to other diners but we didn't receive any . Felt it was a bit expensive for what it was but cannot fault the service we received.
Sara
This was a lovely Tea experience and afternoon for my 4 friends and I. Lovely change up from our usual dinners and something fun and festive for the holidays. Food and ambiance was great.
Lynn
The Holiday High Tea at the Drake is a wonderful tradition. The holiday decor and music are lovely. It's a fun way to get started on the Holiday season!
The food tasted stale and unreasonably priced for the quality. The tea was good. The service was amazing as always.
We love anytime Azmir is our waiter; however, everyone here is great! A wonderful place for afternoon tea.
This was my first experience for high tea at the Drake hotel. We had been looking forward to this day for months. The total cost for the 4 of us was $450 plus coat check and valet. Let me tell you the best parts. The valet who greeted us was lovely. The woman who took our coats was very pleasant. The hostess who sat us was so cheerful and friendly and got us excited about being there. The doormen/bellmen were outstanding. Joked with us, thanked us, took pictures of us. This is where the Drake failed. He host who greeted us at Palm Court was standoffish and unpleasant. Remember we were so excited to be at high tea. All he said was we will get you in closer to your reservation. (We were 10 minutes early. We were sat 20 minutes late but no apology. The server came over, not really pleasant, asked who was having a birthday, couldn't understand her, couldn't really hear her it was so loud in there, didn't act like she was happy we were there. Brought our tea, brought our food, going through the motions, never came back to see if we were fine, if everything was good or okay or if we needed anything. I had to wave someone over twice to refill water. Are you kidding? For $450? No one could even pretend they were so happy that we were so happy to be there? She also dropped the birthday dessert down for our guest and quickly left. Not even an enjoy. Not a happy birthday. Nothing. That's it. It was extremely disappointing afternoon. The food was good but the bread on the prime rib sandwiches was soggy. The staff at Palm Court really were just going through the motions. As if it was a big boring chore to them. But to us it was going to be one of the most exciting afternoons of the year. I'm not a complainer. I can have the best times at a local diner. I worked for Westin and Hyatt hotels for over 15 years. We never would have allowed guests to have such a mediocre experience (AND may I mention one more time for $450 plus valet and coat check!)
We love Palm Court and have been to tea several times there. This time, the service was odd. We felt very rushed during the tea service. The server, was nice but when I mentioned being gluten free at the beginning she said to wait until she took our tea order. When she took our tea, I said it again but she never acknowledged it. So when she brought our tea, we just reconfirmed and she seemed annoyed. She also tapped our plate when she pointed out all over our items. We did get a few hot water refills which is always great. But we definitely were in and hot in 60 mins, in the past it's been more leisurely and we have been able to sit and chat 1.5 hours. There wasn't anyone coming in after us. It wasn't like it was beyond busy. Overall, it was good and we will be back but definitely an odd experience since we've had several top notch experiences there!
This is such a special service to attend! We were celebrating my daughter's birthday and our servers Amir and Genaro were phenomenal! They were attentive, friendly and cheerful! They truly made a great experience over the top special! Amir is so sweet, charming and an excellent server. We've attended the tea service multiple times but this time was really special. And the food is always so good! The room is lovely and the charm of the Drake just welcomes you like an old friend. We will be back again!
The room is beautiful, but very crowded. Our seating felt rushed even with a reservation. The server looked like he had too many tables and gave a hurried description of the teas and platter of sandwiches and desserts. I would not of left a review about those details but I cannot underestimate how terrible the food tasted. I think pastries and sandwiches from a grocery store would've been miles better than what was served. Everything tasted dry, overcooked, and the price for 2 was over $200 for the worst food I've ever eaten. My first review ever but felt I need to warn anyone looking at this as a possibility for their Chicago experience to do anything else.
High tea is always a wonderful treat at the Palm Court. I highly recommend and will be back to enjoy the good tea, food and ambiance in the future.
Great! Incredible service, decent food. I was so happy they had vegan options for the afternoon tea and the tea itself was fantastic. Plus, you can get extras of anything you like!
What a joke, a 100 bucks for a tea and some bites that are stale and cheap quality. (Tea service)
Save your money.
You will walk out hungry and you will feel robbed.
Great atmosphere though. Still not worth it.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 1
I was disappointed in food quality, we had great service and great tea. Bread was hard like it was old. Sitting out.
Restaurantji Recommends
The tea food was lovely and the harpist exceptional! The hostess was also very friendly and gracious!
They asked for a review so i did.
“My boyfriend and I have been coming to the Christmas high tea for many years. Unfortunately, this time the service did not meet the standard we’ve come to expect. In the past, the waitstaff took their time to share the history behind the tea, describe the different selections, and explain how the service worked in a polished and thoughtful way. They always made us feel special.
This time, the person who served us wasn’t even wearing a uniform and spent only a couple of seconds speaking with us. It felt more like a cheap buffet than the elegant experience we were used to. The food and ambiance were as wonderful as always, but the service was extremely disappointing. Sadly, we won’t be returning.”
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 1
Lovely experience in the Christmas room, which we were glad of as the main room was extremely noisy. Really nice touch with carol singers and harpist. Sandwiches and cakes were pretty good although we saw additional ones being brought out to other diners but we didn't receive any . Felt it was a bit expensive for what it was but cannot fault the service we received.
This was a lovely Tea experience and afternoon for my 4 friends and I. Lovely change up from our usual dinners and something fun and festive for the holidays. Food and ambiance was great.
The Holiday High Tea at the Drake is a wonderful tradition. The holiday decor and music are lovely. It's a fun way to get started on the Holiday season!
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