English high tea at Tysons' new Flore Café. Afternoon tea might be rooted in English traditions, but the elegant pastime lives on in many of D.C.’s most luxurious hotels (and a few other special spots). According to legend, Anna Maria Russell, Duchess of Bedford, popularized afternoon te a time in the 19th century because she got hungry between meals. The practice really became fashionable among England’s upper classes during that same century. Many hotels and restaurants cater to afternoon tea lovers with seasonal menus and traditional service year-round. Additions to this list include Flore Café and Cut by Wolfgang Puck. Here are 14 places around D.C. to find spreads of sumptuous scones, exquisite pastries, and finger sandwiches served with steaming pots of tea. ...read more read less