Afternoon Tea Service Arrives at Elm in New Canaan

If this was 1840’s England, most of us middle classers wouldn’t be allowed to partake in afternoon tea. Now that we’re past the 19th Century—and living in America in the joyous years of 2020 and 2021—tea, tiny sandwiches, and snackable sweets before dinner is for all to enjoy, regardless of economic status.

Afternoon tea in present day Connecticut can be found, though places that offer it are few and far between, but there’s a new one going down on Fridays by Luke Venner at Elm in New Canaan.

Certain items will be swapped out seasonally. Berries are in, so expect lots of that in the various scones you’ll see during the infancy stages of afternoon tea.

Venner told us that the idea for tea and bites came about when he was reminiscing with colleagues about their days in Manhattan and wanting to offer a New York City experience for locals. “It’s good for a neighborhood place like Elm because people aren’t going into the city as much as they used to,” he says. “But city people are coming here, so why not try to recreate that?”

What Elm is doing is all kinda classic of a tea service but with their own twist on it.

Venner said there’s an order to how he would attack the snack tower. Start with the refreshing cucumber sandwich, then the ham and cheese, followed by the lobster roll. Then it’s onto sweets with the macaron, cannoli, s’mores. Though, there are no real rules here. Have fun!

Expect to see mini cucumber sandwiches…but with caviar. A ham and cheese sammy follows the fancy trend as it’s topped with a sliver of black truffle. And there’s a foie gras macaron. You get the idea.

Venner mentioned that he drew inspiration from Gabriel Kreuther’s tea program at the Baccarat Hotel.

“He was the former chef at The Modern and that (afternoon tea at the Baccarat) was one of the best I’ve had,” he says. “Offering this has become such a fun, creative outlet for me.”

More of what you might see in the triple decker tea tower is chilled lobster salad tossed in wasabi aioli for a kick, and sweeter stuff like a pistachio cannoli, s’mores tart, and a homemade scone with fresh blueberries, fennel pollen, and sidecars of yuzu marmalade and clotted cream.

And because this is “afternoon tea” there are a bunch of herbal, green, and black tea choices. If you’re a tea rookie, fear not. Gabrielle or one of Elm’s always in the know crew can help you decide.

Should you require something bubbly and boozy in the middle of the day (no judgement!) and want to splurge on a bottle of champagne, you can. If a bottle is too out of control, you can choose to rock with a glass of rosé, prosecco, or Veuve Clicquot if have to keep yourself in check for the rest of the workday.

Good for the ‘gram, too. If you’re about that life.

So far, Elm’s afternoon tea service goes down every Friday from 2:30 – 4:30 for $38 per person. It’s possible that it’ll become a weekend thing if it’s well received.

Judging by all the “OMG!!!” and “It’s sooo cute!” reactions from passers by on Elm Street, this is going to blow up.

73 Elm Street; New Canaan
203.920.4994; https://www.elmrestaurant.com/