VIBE

Lady Mendl’s is mature, slightly whimsical, and charmingly old fashioned in both décor and decorum. It’s best known for its wedding shower and baby shower private events, where guests are served a lavish afternoon tea in one of a number of Victorian-styed private rooms, but there’s a small, well-appointed public tea salon, too. Either way, guests enjoy a five-course high tea (complete with finger sandwiches, cakes, scones with clotted cream, and, of course, a choice of freshly brewed teas) surrounded by elegant architecture and dainty period antiques.

CROWD

Shower goers, mothers and daughters, and groups of girlfriends.

WHAT WE WOULD WEAR

Look the part with pastels and jewels to match, like a pretty, pink knee-length dress with an elegant string of pearls and cute ballet flats.

GO HERE WITH

The girls - for a dainty snack hour; your beau - for the romance (if he can take it, ours probably couldn’t); your mother - for a gab-and-bond session over scones

WHY WE LIKE IT

There is nothing like Victorian décor to evoke some old fashioned romance. It’s impossible not to be seduced by the exquisite surrounds.

WHAT WE WOULD CHANGE

The food is fine, and perfectly fits the setting, but it is not truly a “wow!” culinary experience.

GOOD TO KNOW

To keep the mood, cell phones are strictly forbidden. Weekend seatings are (naturally) the most popular and fill up fast, so book ahead. Lady Mendl’s is located in a lovely 1834 brownstone, which, since 1994, has served as the Inn at Irving Place. This is a traditional afternoon tea, which means it is more like a full meal–come hungry!

CLOSEST COMPS

Mariage Frères (Paris); Ladurée (Paris)