We were coming off a vampiric awards weekend when we met one of our best friends on the rooftop patio of the Peninsula Beverly Hills under the guise of the hotel research needed for the architecture project he had to complete. Though the rooftop is just a few floors up, the stringent Beverly Hills building codes and clear LA skies made for a local maximum with near-360 degree views. Reclined on lounge chairs with frozen lemonades, we fell into a brisk calmness, revived enough to head to our next event.
Though tea in summer can be as off-putting as a melted popsicle, we were anxious to try the afternoon service that has received rave reviews. There is something comfortingly idyllic about holding a warm teapot and nibbling perfectly cut sandwiches, accompanied by a crisp scone and buttery Devonshire cream. In our world of chaotic sensory extremes, this is one type of order we don’t mind a bit.