Sometimes finding the perfect respite itself becomes an adventure. One of the most civilized, put-up-your-feet adventures has to be tea time, and tea time comes in various ethnic cups. Four Seasons Hotel (120 E. Delaware Pl.; 312-280-8800) offers a classic English tea service ($16.50) in its seventh-floor lounge 3-5 p.m. Monday to Saturday. Order your pot of tea (11 choices), demurely kick back to live piano music and ponder the selections from the three-tiered plate: scones, sandwiches or pastries. Sparkling wine service ($20.75) is available in addition to the tea service. Call for reservations.
Tea time in Chinatown is “yumcha,” which translates into “drink tea.” Most of us know it as dim sum, a generic term for savory and sweet pastries. Phoenix Restaurant (2131 S. Archer Ave.; 312-328-0848) does tea the big way, Hong Kong-style, with the capacity to seat 400. Yumcha is offered from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Up to 100 items are presented on carts that employees push by your table. Choose from four teas, among them jasmine and oolong teas. China Cafe (2300 S. Wentworth Ave.; 312-808-0202) serves a similar yumcha from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily in its 180-seat dining room. No reservations are needed.
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