U.K. invasion
Royal-wedding fever is sweeping NYC. Track down all of your Anglo essentials at the city's latest crop of British restaurants, pubs and speciality food shops before the big day.
Fri Apr 22 2011
Afternoon tea: The Crosby Street Hotel
High tea calls to mind white-gloved butlers and stodgy drawing rooms, but this buzzy boutique—the first stateside outpost of London's trendy Firmdale hotel chain—gives the tradition a downtown makeover. The plush Crosby Bar's striped banquettes, Moroccan-inspired caf tables and cheeky art (including Warholian portraits of Queen Elizabeth II) set the scene for the irreverent Crosby Afternoon Tea (served 2--5pm; $34 per person). Pots of loose-leaf tea come with a three-tiered glass tray that juxtaposes dainty finger sandwiches (smoked salmon and dill, egg mayonnaise and mustard cress) with a rotating selection of decidedly un-English desserts such as red velvet cupcakes and fat brownies laced with peanut-butter mousse. Traditionalists will forgive the liberties when they bite into excellent house-made scones served with clotted cream, marmalade and strawberry jam. Enjoy the spread on a shaded patio when the weather's nice (or anytime it's not raining, if you're British), and throw in an extra $14 if you want to blow it out with a flute of crisp bubbly. 79 Crosby St between Prince and Spring Sts (212-226-6400)
