Afternoon tea--a relaxing daytime pleasure.

The California sun waifs through the lush greenery outside the windows of the elegant Peninsula Beverly Hills Living Room. The elegant space is filled with well-dressed ladies carefully selecting their next bite from a tray of exquisitely presented teacakes and sandwiches on silver trays. Tea is poured into exclusive hand-painted china and there is a feeling of sumptuousness and sophistication throughout the room. On one row of sofas a group of ladies celebrate a baby shower and sounds of their laughter raises the atmosphere to pure joy. They sip tea and warn of the pitfalls of impending motherhood while watching as each beautifully-wrapped gift is opened and examined. The lilting tones of the harpist bathe the room in quiet ambiance and serenity. On another side of the room Beverly Hills Mayor Linda Briskman sips tea with daughter Ashley, enrapt in deep conversation with an occasional moment of laughter.

It is not unusual to see high-profile visitors and celebrities enjoying a respite from their heaving, tedious schedules, sipping the exotic blends of tea and nibbling delicious savories and sweets.

The sofas and chairs are plush and they seem to enclose the visitor in a tranquil and comforting cocoon.

This is the afternoon tea experience at its finest, as only The Peninsula could envision.

To enhance an afternoon meeting, my friend Judy Henning and I decided to treat ourselves to tea.

Service is always the utmost concern at The Peninsula and tea is no exception. After our server Stephanie ensured we were comfortable, pillows were secured and tables adjusted, she recited the vast selection of favorites from the array of available teas.

Judy selected The Belvedere Blend, their signature, with a lush aroma and hint of dried fruit and I chose Caramel, for that extra sweetness. They also offer a selection of the finest green teas and the perennial-favorite English Breakfast, a black tea from China and Ceylon perfect with a splash of milk any time of day.

Conversation seems to flow more easily in such an elegant and pampered atmosphere and Stephanie places a caviar cake before us.

The savory cheesecake topped with a layer of caviar was unusual and contained numerous layers of flavor. It is a Peninsula exclusive and favorite as well. Next we are treated to a glass of strawberries with a dollop of sweet, whipped

A tray of tea sandwiches and sweets is delivered to the center of the table. I am immediately struck by the tempting palette of colors and shapes and take a moment to select the curried chicken salad on sweet raisin bread.

The tray is filled with cucumber and watercress pimientos and dill, charred vegetables on wheat bread with a pesto spread and The Peninsula's own smoked salmon on dark bread with Borsin spread.

Judy comments that the salmon is the best she's ever had. I concur.

We spend a relaxed hour sipping tea, nibbling sandwiches and desserts and chatting amiably about topics that peak our interest.

It is no accident we are relaxed and feeling tranquil, it is all part of The Peninsula master plan to treat their guests to a pampered and sensual stay, whether sleeping, dining or at Afternoon Tea.

The mastermind of this delicious repast is world renowned Chef Bill Bracken, Executive Assistant Manager of Food and Beverage who has been the driving force in establishing The Peninsula's reputation as an innovative, culinary leader.

Bracken confesses his greatest challenge is to keep the tea fresh and creative and The Peninsula chefs are constantly at work creating new delicacies for the menu. He is ever mindful that Peninsula Managing Director Ali Kasikci has set a standard for luxury it is his responsibility to ensure is met and exceeded.

"You walk a fine line," Bracken says. "So many of our guests for tea are regulars who enjoy their favorites. You don't want to disappoint anyone by not offering their particular selection, but you want to keep the creative energy flowing and bring new tastes and recipes to the experience."

Bracken believes it's the little things that enhance the experience most. Things only a well-trained eye would notice.

"The way a table is set. The design of the china, the stuffing inside the sofa cushions to give the maximum comfort."

"These are the things most people wouldn't consciously observe, yet they may add or detract from the entire experience and it's my job to ensure nothing is missed."

The room holds up to 40 people and so many enjoy hosting showers and celebrations there.

"We make every effort to ensure each guest receives the optimum service and experience whether a party of two or twenty," he says.

"It's so important to be detail oriented. The numbers of guests who visit us are increasing weekly and we have a responsibility to ensure they are happy and pampered in The Peninsula tradition."

It is a tradition I happily embrace and applaud.