Tuesday, November 7, 2017

A Tea-filled day in the Windy City

The Walnut Room [I still refer to it as tearoom] was beautifully decorated for Christmas, and the great 45 ft. Christmas tree was the show-stopper!  It was decorated with 2,000 ornaments and 6,600 sparkling lights.  This was the 110th tree lighting in the Walnut Room.



The photos below are before the tree was lit.  



Our table was near the windows facing Michigan Avenue.


Linda ordered Buttery Garlic Bread with Wisconsin Asiago Cheese, and Holiday Crab Cakes.  Always the traditionalist, I ordered Mrs. Herings 1890 original Chicken Pot Pie. The Walnut Room was the first restaurant in a department store, and is also the longest continuously running restaurant in the country.  It opened in 1907, known as the South Tearoom.  It's name changed to the Walnut Room in 1937 because of the beautiful Circassian Walnut paneling.  


A commemorative booklet was at each place setting.


~ Linda's Buttery Garlic Bread ~


~ The tea chest ~


~ I chose organic Earl Grey ~


~ Mrs. Herings delicious Chicken Pot Pie ~


The dining room filled up quickly.



Linda had some fairy dust sprinkled on her before making a wish.


I kept watch of the festivities happening in the center court before the tree lighting countdown at 11:00 a.m.  There were wonderful entertainers while we ate.



Then just like New York City's New Year's Eve countdown in Central Park, the countdown began 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, and the tree was illuminated with sparkling with lights.  I'm so glad I was able to be present for this magical event.


Pictures of previous Marshall Field's and Macy Christmas Trees.


After lunch we went down to the 6th floor to browse Macy's china and Christmas decorations.  Below is the Waterford Crystal area.




I loved their nostalgic photo boards that displayed the history of the store when it was Marshall Field's.  How I wish they would do something like that for J.L. Hudson's in Detroit and display it in Macy's at Oakland Mall.


There were eight boards in all, but I'll only post a photo of two.


Non-functional Marshall Field's water fountain.



The retail Christmas decoration area was like a fantasyland.  



 There were strolling carolers to put us in the Christmas mood.



For a commemorative keepsake I bought a Macy's dated ornament.


The flip-side of the above ornament.


Then we went outside to catch a taxicab for our next destination, but not before looking at some of the beautiful window displays celebrating 50 years of animated holiday windows.


I wish I could have photographed them all, but I only managed to get a few.


They reminded me of J.L. Hudson's display windows. 



The exterior of the store building was decorated too.


The original Marshall Field's clock and nameplate are still on the building.


Below is a working glass replica of the exterior clock displayed on the 6th floor.


To be continued...



4 comments:

  1. I'm enjoying your trip so much! That pot pie sure looked delicious. I can just imagine how gorgeous that tree is in real life...I love Christmas lights! Thank you so much for sharing...can't wait to hear the rest!

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  2. This looks like a wonderful day, and I'm glad you could enjoy it. The tree is beautiful, and I am sure it was very magical when the lights came on. I love the idea of strolling carolers in the store, too. This post also makes me a little sad, because it reminds me of Rich's, our beloved Atlanta department store which is no more, they also had a "great tree" and tree lighting on Thanksgiving night, which I remember from my childhood. I'm glad the Marshall Fields traditions are still being carried on, even though it is by Macy's.

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  3. This sounds absolutely magical! Marshall Field's is so legendary in the retail world, I just think it is so special that you can still enjoy tea there ... and the chicken pot pie, appropriately enough!

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