I wasn’t gonna write anything about it. It was a leisure Tea with my family. So I was fully present…not thinking about critiques or notes. I took one photo of the tier, just to have one for remembrance. But- IT WAS SOO GOOD!! (whiny face emoji)

Since I’m not actively on socials but go on once in a great while to share a Story really quick or something…on one of those occasions, I saw an ad. It was The Ritz in San Francisco, something about a Pineapple Tea. I was intrigued and thought we should have an opportunity at a re-do, since the HMB one was so severely bad. (which by the way, my review on our awful experience at the Half Moon Bay Ritz still til this day gets tons of traffic!) Called the trusty Cuties and they were up for redemption as well. Because our schedule is + always packed to the rim/filled to the brim…we thankfully found a day to go. But just shy of the last weekend it would be offered, so that’s why I wasn’t gonna really tell anybody we went. Didn’t want to tease you guys with it, and then yall might not have had an opportunity to go before the theme was done. Even still, THIS is worth mentioning!

The actual experience was called “Summer Pineapple Afternoon Tea” and I did not realize (until now, referring back to the ad I sent them) it was MAUI GOLD Pineapple and that this was going to have a tropical vibe. So- fully didn’t expect but was absolutely pleasantly surprised to see KELAGUEN!! on the menu and things like calamansi and guava!? (three open mouth emojis) [Read about the only other time we were offered Kelaguen at a tea service on our review from the wonderful Kiki’s Coffee Shop that I miss and can’t wait until they get back to serving again.]

Everything was deeelectable and made us completely forget about those nasty gluten-free 2-hour sandwiches from HMB. The teas were spot on and some of our favorite items were the Heirloom Corn Tart and Chicken Kelaguen Mini Taco. And for sweets: the Strawberry Calamansi Cheesecake (SO smooth) and Piña Colada Cake (the lightest and most airy thing ever).

Of course I had thee best time with my family (the Huz + Cutie Girls, missing Cutie’s Mr.) and our Welcome Beverage (Veuve Clicquot Rosé Champagne) made it a parTEA! We were well taken care of by the SWEETEST girl and she showed us a fun time!

The last time I went to The Ritz in the City was June 2015. And if you’ve read about that visit (if you haven’t, go ahead I’ll give you some time) you’ll know all about Ramesh! He was our server then and because he was so gracious, dubbed my “Boyfriend” haha. I didn’t see any sign of him today and didn’t think he would still work there anyhow. (Tho we later learned that lots of the servers still there are loyal ones from over a decade ago!) At the table, we all joked that he probably owned the joint now hahah. While we were getting to know our server, I casually brought him up and she said she knew him…cuz she had worked back then with him too! And get this- he OWNS TWO other restaurants!!! Hahahaha! What are the chances, how did we know!? Good for him! Anyway, now we have plans to go try them. Our family also loves to Brunch, so we will be checking out one of his spots in the near future! Too funny + too cool.

So I can’t really tell you to go try this one, cuz it’s gonna be gone soon. But they still offer Afternoon Tea Service year round AND they will be opening their newly remodeled Lounge coming October, so check them out for that too! We def will be back.