I organized a charter bus to go to NYC for the day.
I was thrilled to sign up for the Tea Bus Tour. This is something I have said I want to do in my Amish area near me, lol.
My friend and I took the Subway from Chinatown to Times Square. I was using my app and got us turned the wrong way and we went about 6 blocks out of the way. I was hot, tired, and hungry, so I asked a petty bike cab if he would take us to Bryant Park. He said $30, I said no, he said $25, I said no. He said how much and I said $10. He said ok! I was thrilled.
I was thrilled to be driven 6 blocks!! He was a great driver- zipping up in and out of traffic.
Being dropped off at Bryant Park to meet the Tea Around Town Bus.
I love Bryant Park. They had the Christmas market going, it felt very European.
We boarded the bus at 1:30. It was a 90 minute tour around the city with tea and snacks.
It was a double decker bus, and we got to sit upstairs.
This was the highlight of the day for me. I was a little down by the quality of food, but I loved loved loved the experience.
Super cutely decorated
This gentleman greeted us as we got on the bus. He then sang show tunes the entire trip, as well as pointed out spots of interest. He did a fantastic job!!!!
They had tables for 2 on the one side and table for 4 on the other. It was great, we did not have to share a table with anyone and we each got a window seat.
Also there was AC on the bus, which was fantastic!!! It was in the 80's and for the end of September I was not prepared for the heat.
We had cup holders for our tea. They also gave us bottled water.
We paid the $69 to so the standard menu. It was close to $100 a person with taxes, I felt it was a bit deceiving.
Okay...The scones were dry and the jam wasn't good. Also, we didn't get clotted cream, we got butter. I was super disappointed- so neither of us ate the scones.
The sandwiches were good, but dry, I think they should have put a wet towel over them while the waited to serve them. And the mini quiches were cold, like really cold.
But, the deserts were good. I did enjoy those.
This is the plate for standard price of $69.
So the desserts were good and the tea was done well. I thought the tea was very good, but I could never get my server to give me seconds. She seemed flustered and overwhelmed.
These ladies beside us gave us these fascinator hats to wear. It was so fun to wear them while we were having tea. You also see the man singing show tunes.
We were told that someone had not showed up and since we switched seats so a group could sit together we were going to be given their food if we wanted it. They had got the Premium Menu- the $109 meal!!
On the left below are the deserts, they were good but sweet.
On the right below are the sandwiches and other savory items.
The bread on the egg salad and cucumber sandwiches were dry.
The salmon on the pumpernickel was good, but that bread was dry too
The quiche was again super cold, like it had just come out of the freezer
The wagyu beef was good but the chip was cold and not crisp, it was like the juice was soaked up and it was not a good vessel for the beef.
The lobster loaf was good, although again the bread was dry
If they could have somehow figured out how to keep the bread from drying out with wet paper towels over the sandwiches that may have helped. But, it seemed like everything was maybe made up in the morning and just sitting around waiting for us at 1:30.
The overall experience was 3 tea cups out of 5. The tea was good, the food was a little below average, the sight seeing was good. I would love a chance to give them some tips, lol.
On the Left- These ended up being all my desserts!!!
On the Right- My sweet tooth stopped working and I had it! Everything was so sweet I had to stop.
Sights we passed while riding....
St Patrick's Cathedral
Rockefellers Center
Columbus Circle
Naked cowgirl in Time Square...
