High Tea at Café Boulud: A Birthday to Remember

An Elegant Afternoon in Palm Beach

When it comes to marking life’s special occasions, afternoon tea is a ritual that whispers refinement and celebration. Café Boulud located at 301 Australian Avenue in Palm Beach, Florida, the high tea service elevates this tradition to new heights, making it the perfect venue for an intimate birthday gathering.

I have a small group of friends who have celebrated our collective birthdays for several years and Café Boulud was my sister’s choice to celebrate her birthday. From the moment westepped inside the dining room, we were enveloped in a sense of timeless elegance. The space was decorated in a distinctly Floridian style—open, breezy, and bathed in natural light, with subtle coastal touches that gave the room a fresh and inviting atmosphere. That day there was a wedding taking place outside on the back patio which was beautifully decorated and there was a sense of excitement in the air. The staff warmly greeted us, their attention to detail evident in every gesture, from the delicate place settings adorned with fresh blooms and blue glassware. The pretty robin’s egg blue and white plates were topped with a folded soft linen napkin.

We were presented with a tea box filled with many selections. I selected a verbena herbal tea that has a bright, fresh, and slightly sweet taste with a noticeable lemon flavor with hints of fresh herbs. Each lady was encouraged to select her favorite, and our teapots arrived steaming.

While enjoying our tea, we were presented with a red colored egg-shaped vessel that was decorated with pearls. Upon openingthe top, we found our first course, which was a delightful amuse-bouche of cantaloupe sitting on a mint leave and crowned with a petite colorful edible flower. The mint leave was placed on top of an ice cube which kept the cantaloupe cool and crisp, combined with the taste of fresh mint created a perfect palate pleaser.

No high tea is complete without its edible accompaniments, and Café Boulud’s pastry team did not disappoint. Three tiers of delicacies formed the centerpiece of our table: at the base, pillowy finger sandwiches—cucumber with herbed cream cheese, smoked salmon with crème fraiche and chives, egg salad on multigrain bread and lobster salad with citrus on brioche—each bite balanced and perfectly seasoned. The middle layer offered a parade of beautiful pastries: almond and citrus meringue tart that tasted like summer, guava and passion fruit mousse, vanilla and caramel choux puff and peanut marble cake. The top layer was an assortment of freshly baked scones: cranberry, apricot and vanilla accompanied by Devonshirecream and preserves. I found all of the flavors to be bright and lively.

As our high tea drew to a close, we found ourselves reluctant to leave, enjoying our conversation while the sun streamed through the window next to our table. Café Boulud’s high tea service is more than a meal; it is an experience, a tapestry of flavors, a beautiful environment and memories woven together into a perfect celebration. Whether toasting a birthday or simply reveling in friendship, this Palm Beach gem promises an afternoon of elegance and delight.