Teatime with Dad at Denver’s Brown Palace Hotel

Exquisite Treats at Denver’s Brown Palace

Travel is often most rewarding when you step out of your comfort zone, when you do something you’ve never done before. This can mean zooming on a zip-line in the jungles of Costa Rica or just sipping tea at a fancy hotel. I’ve done the latter countless times but it became a more novel experience nearly a year ago when I found myself sharing afternoon tea at The Brown Palace, Denver’s legendary hotel, with my father.

We were together in Denver on our way back east after he’d spent time in his beloved West. At eighty-four years old, those trips have been curtailed from the days when he’d spend weeks on end skiing in Aspen. But still, we’ve all tried to make sure he gets his Colorado fix even if he has to be “accompanied” throughout most of his travels these days.

So this is how we came to find ourselves together in such a fine hotel, such a grand setting. Dad’s more of a chain hotel person that likes to take his coffee at Dunkin’ Donuts or Starbucks. I prefer fancier locales with more ambiance. We’ve gone his route many times in the past but since we were in Denver, you can bet I was itching to visit one of my favorite destinations. Lucky for me we found ourselves nearby after a tour at Denver’s U.S. Mint on a dreary November day that commanded a warm pick-me-up.

La Pièce de Résistance

I ushered Dad into the well-appointed and expansive atrium of The Brown Palace where people have taken tea for over a century and was glad to see that he was settling in without much resistance. I could tell though that he wasn’t entirely at ease in what he surely perceived as fussy surroundings; yet he seemed open to trying something new, especially since he knew that coming here together would make me happy. His demeanor turned more to shock and awe, however, when he studied the menu and discovered that The Brown Palace Signature Tea was priced at $29. “This is outrageous, Bethie,” he exclaimed.

I explained that that price includes a pot of properly brewed tea of your choice, accompanied by scones served with Devonshire cream and preserves, savory tea sandwiches and a delightful array of classic tea pastries. He listened intently but still didn’t seem convinced. I reassured him that he’d love it, suggested we order one Signature Tea to split (for the treats) and that he have his coffee on the side. We settled into polite chit-chat and banter, the sort of light conversation you share in grandiose establishments or at elegant dinner parties.

Dad’s eyes widened when the tiered tray of delectables arrived. The server carefully poured his steaming coffee from a silver pot into a china cup after he had served me my tea. I watched my father take in every detail like a concerned parent keenly observing his child. We didn’t talk for the next few minutes while we settled into our sandwiches, the logical beginning of this late-afternoon repast. As I had hoped, Dad fell under the spell of such delicious food and drink, an observation that was confirmed when he commented on his “out-of-this-world” coffee. We slathered our scones with the thick clotted cream—a huge indulgence for my father who’s been a devotée of Smart Balance for years. The oohing and aahing truly began when we bit into the pastries, miniature marvels that looked and tasted divine. Dad felt more than content and happily payed the bill knowing that he had received more than his money’s worth, many times over.

We stopped into The Brown Palace coffee shop afterward and bought their signature Brown Palace Crown Jewel Black Tea Blend for me and a gift for Mom. Our visit had been an immense success.

This is one of many memories I’ve been clinging to throughout the year. I call them my emotional postcards and I knew when we stepped into the Brown Palace together that this would be filed away as a bright one. Today is Dad’s eighty-fifth birthday and it has been nearly a year since we’ve seen each other, too long to go at any age but especially at eighy-five. Fortunately I only have a couple days to wait since I’m headed east to see both my parents on Wednesday. I’ll be with them for a while and I’m sure lots of tea and coffee will be consumed but certainly none as special as our teatime together at Denver’s Brown Palace.

The Brown Palace Hotel & Spa, 321 17th Street, tel.:  303-297-3111.

Christmas teas are immensely popular at The Brown Palace, so much so, in fact, that people reserve months in advance. Read Viva Italia, Viva Italian Americans, Viva la Dolce Vita in Denver to learn more about what I have to say about The Brown Palace and holiday time in Denver.