Inside The Lytle Park Tea Tradition
Updated: Sep 2
The Lytle Park Hotel, a historic boutique hotel in downtown Cincinnati, invites guests to slow down and savor a beautiful afternoon tea served in its onsite, Italian restaurant, Subito. The Lytle Park Tea Tradition is reminiscent of a time when old-world charm and sophistication were front and center. Reservations are available on Saturdays and Sundays between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Early bookings are recommended since seats fill quickly. It is ideally suited for a girlfriends’ outing, mother-daughter time, or a solo experience.
Situated in two distinct landmark buildings, the hotel sets the stage for an elegant afternoon tea from the moment you arrive. When you step through the doors of the hotel, you’re immediately surrounded by an array of elegant interiors. The check-in desk, clad in gold tones, reflects the natural light illuminating the lobby. Just beyond the front desk, is a bar with a gorgeous handcrafted chandelier. Upon entering Subito, you’ll notice it is transformed into an intimate setting with polished silver and crisp linen suitable for such an upscale occasion.
An Artful Selection of Artisanal Teas & Delicacies
The afternoon tea offers a carefully curated menu, and guests can select an item from each course. There is a perfect combination of sweet and savory bites that consists of smoked salmon deviled eggs with chives and caviar, a crab salad roll with crème fraîche, warm biscuits and jam, and a rotating selection of scones, to name a few. Every course offers slightly familiar and understated elements.
What afternoon tea would be complete without exquisite tea? This is where The Lytle Park Hotel sets itself apart, collaborating with Churchill’s Fine Teas to provide an artisanal selection of rare teas. Guests have plenty of choices that include the classics with a modern twist: an English Breakfast blend of black teas delivering full-bodied flavor and an Earl Grey made with the finest OP Ceylon tea and enhanced with oil of bergamot and cornflower petals. Those seeking a more calming tea might choose the Serene Relaxing Herbal blend, a combination of lemon verbena, spearmint, chamomile, and lavender. Southern White Peach is Pai Mu Tan steeped with the flavor of a Georgia peach, a small detail that adds greater appeal.
The afternoon tea includes one tea selection per person. However, for anyone interested in a more elevated affair, I highly recommend a glass of Moët & Chandon Impérial Brut as an accompaniment. It is the perfect ending to an extraordinary dining experience.
Discovering a Luxurious Dining Tradition in Cincinnati
Cincinnati, Ohio, offers unrivaled epicurean dining concepts and The Lytle Park Tea Tradition happens to be one of them. Considering The Lytle Park Hotel’s historic setting and timeless elegance, it is no surprise that its tea pairings are so revered. This bespoke ritual of indulging in fine delicacies alongside refined specialty teas is something worth holding on to. It should definitely be among the things to do when in the city or passing through.
