Step inside Madeline’s Tea at the Carlyle Hotel for some family holiday magic. This enchanting experience is filled with fanciful food, tantalizing treats, superb singing, perfect piano playing, darlings dancing, and of course, everything Madeline!
When my little sister, mommy, and I arrived at Bemelmans’s Bar, we were given a warm welcome and met with giant smiles. I knew it was going to be a special experience. Once inside, I was taken aback by the beautiful surroundings: a giant stuffed-doll Madeline sitting on top of the piano, a bountiful buffet for brunch surrounded by Madeline books, dolls, and tea sets, and best of all, a mural encompassing all of Bemelmans. If you love Madeline as much as I do, you will instantly be transported to that “Old House in Paris that is covered in vines,” since Madeline’s maker (Mommy called him an author/illustrator), Ludwig Bemelmans, created the largest uncommissioned mural of its kind right here.
After admiring the mural, I was drawn to the brunch buffet. There was a tasty bite for everyone, including Nutella and banana tea sandwiches, berry parfaits, mini egg burritos, pancakes, and waffles. Sitting below rows of Madeline dolls, stickers, books, and tea sets was a buffet of scrumptious dessert treats, like chocolate cheesecake pops, Swedish Fish, and gummy bears, oh my! Plus, there were Madeline cupcakes and of course, madeline cakes. Delish!
My sister and I cozied up with our mommy at the table and placed our beautifully embroidered Madeline napkins in our laps. We grabbed a polite bite off our Madeline china and listened as Madeline’s friend, Tina de Varon, started the party. She has been hosting the tea party for over ten years and is an expert on music, Madeline, and making us little mademoiselles marvel.
Miss Tina got everyone in the room acquainted by playing “Willoughby Wallaby Woo,“ and it kept getting better and better from there. She sang the most-requested songs of all time like “Twinkle, Twinkle, Tomorrow” and “Do Re Mi”. Then she let us make song requests that included rocking renditions of “Once Upon a Dream”, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”, “Let It Go”, “Hamilton,” and my special request, a kiddie version of “Shut Up and Dance”. Plus, she did an extra special request for my little sister — “The Wheels on the Bus”. Our favorite part was when Miss Tina made up spontaneous and silly songs about the audience — like one about me and my sister wearing matching dresses. We whirled and twirled all party long!
After the tea, we were able to make a Madeline purchase of a sentimental item to keep the tea party going at home. I was so lucky to be gifted the book “Madeline” and a matching sticker activity book. We also each got a pink balloon and a sweet sendoff. Madeline’s Tea brought my favorite book and character to life — it was tea-rrific!
