“It’ll be an afternoon with hats on!” I forget where my sister and I got the expression but it was either from some old black-and-white movie or an episode of I Love Lucy. In any case, to us, it meant that we were going to have a fancy afternoon: Maybe get our nails or hair done, go to a museum and have some afternoon tea, usually at King’s Head in Santa Monica.

Haven’t done that in awhile since she moved far, far away. ::sigh:: But High Tide at Casa Del Mar makes me want to find a replacement for her right quick. First, because it takes place in the beautiful historic hotel that I love right on the beach in Santa Monica and second, I think it may be the only one to serve PB&J on banana bread. Yup, that’s what I’m talking about!

From LA.com:

Friendly servers help you maneuver through the “waves” menu, which playfully riffs off of the classic tea service: The Low Tide offers simple noshes and tea; High Tide adds an Elixir specialty drink like the blueberry bikini; Rip Tide (our fave!) is the most decadent, because it also adds a glass of champagne and a white chocolate-dipped strawberry. The “tide bites” come on two trays, one savory and one sweet, and trust us, it’s a lot of food (only two people can fit to a table because the plates are so large). The menu includes salmon tea sandwiches, egg salad on wheat bread, tiny grilled gruyere and tomato sandwiches on brioche, chocolate cannoli, peanut butter and jelly on banana bread, scones and more.

And if you’d like to have tea time with 10-plus of your best friends on a Saturday, call (310) 581-7714 and speak with the manager for specifics.

Casa Del Mar
1910 Ocean Way
Santa Monica, California 90405
(310) 581-5533
Cross Street: Pico Boulevard
Tea Time: Monday-Friday 3pm-5pm