Silver Dove Afternoon Tea — Restaurant in Boston

Affordable afternoon tea treat in downtown Boston.

Came here this past weekend to try this new afternoon tea spot. While there are only a few options for afternoon tea in the city, most of them strive for a classy and elegant atmosphere. Silver Dove, on the other hand, offers a more casual and trendy vibe, which sets it apart.

Upon arriving at the restaurant, my party was the first to be seated, and we were warmly greeted by the owners, who also happened to be our servers. This personal touch made the experience even more special. One of the owners, who happened to be a former bartender, impressed us with a well-crafted cocktail. The service throughout was also impeccable, and I appreciated the fact that they had removed tip options and included a mandatory 15% admin fee instead, streamlining the payment process.

As expected, the experience began with the traditional scones. Served warm and fresh out of the oven, the currant scones were simply irresistible. Topped with strawberry jam and clotted cream, they offered a perfect balance of sweetness and richness.

Moving on to the savory canapes, I found the coronation chicken and snap pea canape to be the highlights. Despite the use of relatively simple ingredients, the flavors were impressive. The coronation chicken, featuring vadouvan, crème fraiche, and sultana, had a good blend of spices and creaminess. The snap pea canape, combining fresh snap peas with whipped brie, was a unique and refreshing experience reminiscent of a fresh salad in a single bite.

The matcha layer cake and pate a choux were the stars among the sweet offerings. The matcha layer cake had a luscious mango passionfruit mousse that added a tangy twist to the earthy matcha flavor. The pate a choux filled with hazelnut mousseline was a creamy and nutty delight that left me wanting more.

Overall, Silver Dove offers a great afternoon tea experience at an affordable price point. With a menu that changes monthly, it promises an element of surprise and encourages return visits. If you’re seeking an introduction to afternoon tea experience in Boston, I highly recommend...

I’ve been obsessed with having a proper afternoon tea for quite sometime so when I discovered there was a tea room in Boston that was completely gluten free I was both surprised and excited!

Let me start with the positives.

The service was great even though there was an underlining feeling that we were being rushed. Which… for afternoon tea, is not proper. You are supposed to take your time and enjoy the moment. But not here, I do understand that since they have such a small space maybe they need to have a rapid turn around… if this is so… afternoon tea shouldn’t be your specialty.

The establishment itself was very cute, loved the velvet seats and the details including the portrait of Queen Victoria.

Now… for the downsides. The price is hefty for the portions. You only get one currant scone… traditionally you get a plain and a fruit scone. The sandwiches are not sandwiches… they are crostinis. They were also stale and not satiating, the mushrooms were tough and chewy. For additional portions you must pay extra. The French onion soup was very good but was a sip. The tea pots are also very small, you only get one pot included. Additional pots of tea cost extra… but they will top it off with hot water. I ordered a tea that must be rinsed prior to steeping or else it tastes vegetal. It was clear they did not rinse it.

Then there were the sweets… I applaud them for wanting to go out of the box with their pairings. However, it left much to be desired and their tastes and textures melded together since they were mostly of the mousse variety. None really stuck out or gave me a wow! I did like the macaron… because who doesn’t love a macaron?

All in all, I’m happy there is a dedicated afternoon tea venue but alas for the price and experience I will not be...

A Rather Disappointing Flutter at The Silver Dove

One does so hate to write a lukewarm review—after all, the business of afternoon tea is a sacred one, a ritual of clinking porcelain and genteel indulgence. Alas, The Silver Dove in Boston left us more perplexed than pampered.

Let us begin with the positives, as a good guest must: the service was prompt, and the staff were ever-present—efficient, if not effusive. The atmosphere showed flashes of promise: a wall of flowers offered a charming backdrop, and the emerald green tufted benches had a certain je ne sais quoi. The table settings were, admittedly, quite photogenic, and the surroundings were bright and clean. One could almost imagine oneself in a proper tea room. Almost.

Then, the reality set in. The layout was tighter than a corset at a Victorian luncheon—conversations from neighboring tables intruded upon one’s own with alarming clarity. Privacy was but a distant dream, and one couldn’t help but feel rather enmeshed in the lives of fellow patrons.

But the true tragedy lay in the food. The pairings were puzzling, the flavors lackluster. We found ourselves delicately sampling each offering, then discreetly abandoning most. A valiant effort in theory, but in execution? Rather like a teapot with a broken spout—all promise, no pour.

[Keep in mind, there’s an automatic 18% gratuity added to your bill]

If it’s a proper tea experience you’re after, might I suggest Jenny’s section at the Boston Library Tea Room? One leaves there feeling rather more satisfied—and isn’t that the point?

Two stars, dear Silver Dove. With a heavy heart, and a rather...