Fortnum and Mason: visited by the Queen, Camilla, Catherine and Barb and Rachel

Less than a fortnight ago, Fortnum and Mason was the chosen venue for Queen Elizabeth, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, and Kate, Duchess of Cambridge as one of their first joint public outings and a place for intimate tea party of 150 special guests, as noted by The Detroit Tea Examiner's recent column. Similarly, within 9 months of that same event, it was also the choice of Barb and Rachel Gulley, a party of two, for a joint (ad)venture and a spot of tea, although, admittedly, the latter occasion was not as high profile as the first.

In any event, the latest Royal Trio visit to Fortnum and Mason brought back a lot of great memories of our mom/daughter trip to London last July. Thought this would be a fun time to bring out the Fortnum and Mason pictures to share.


Front of Fortnum in Mason in the Piccadilly section of London.




Rachel and Barb enjoying a pot of Fortnum and Mason's Earl Grey tea.




Fortnum and Mason's tea blends are displayed in glass teapots where patrons can see and small the loose tea.







Tea Merchandise beautifully displayed and stored.




Silver teapots and strainers,add the Royal touch, for all who come to visit.




For more detailed account of tea time at Fortnum and Mason, see The Detroit Tea Examiner's London Tea Rooms: Fortnum and Mason, the Royal treatment in Piccadilly.

Valentine's Day at the White Castle: tea, tablecloths, and sliders by candlelight

After spending the first week of February visiting Denver, highlighted by a trip to the Brown Palace, we continued on our royal theme by spending the next week, Valentine's Day, at a castle - the White Castle, home of the Slider.

According to its website, White Castle is America's first hamburger fast food chain. It came onto the scene almost twenty years after the Brown Palace, opening its first diner in 1921. But, it too is rich in history and, although not typically singled out for it's lavish decor, that all changes on February 14th.

For the last 21 years, White Castle has gone all out for the night of romance with reserved seating, wait staff, candlelight, flowers and tablecloths.

I told my husband I had made reservations for Tuesday's 6:00 seating. He accepted, and with barely any trepidation.

I will readily admit, we had a great time, and I plan to go back next year. The staff was courteous and attentive and I was truly impressed with how shiny clean the dining room was. Tablecloths were on every table with Valentine's Day decorations throughout the room. We were quickly seated and given a "goodie bag" filled with candy, pink fortune cookies and a souvenir clear plastic heart inscribed with "White Castle, February 14, 2012" as commemorative of this special evening.

Reverse sticker shock came when our menus, specially printed for the day, were presented. Nothing listed on the left side of the menu was over $3.00 and on the left, even the snack meals were barely double that. The only two high ticket items were the exclusive Valentine's offers: the "Sweetheart Special" for $14.98 and the "Group Hug" for $23.88, which are meant to feed up to three to four people, respectively. So, even at those prices, they are a heartwarming bargain.

A complimentary dessert was served after our sliders, fries and iced-tea. Already packaged and clearly labeled, we finished our meal with a fudge dipped cheesecake . . . on a stick! It was short, sweet and tasty - like our romantic evening at the self-proclaimed "Love Castle".

Just before we left, the hostess took our picture which will be posted in a few weeks on the "Hot and Steamy" Valentine's Day promotion page of White Castle's website. It will provide yet another opportunity to relive the magic of the majestic fortress just minutes from home.

I think a new Valentine's Day tradition has begun!

Royal tea time: from the Brown Palace to the White Castle in less than a week

In less than a week's time, I had tea in two regally named establishments: The Brown Palace in Denver and a White Castle in Detroit. Although the menu, ambiance and, final bill were on extreme ends of the dining experience, we were treated royally and had a lot of fun at both establishments.

Last week, my husband, Chris, and I were able to combine business and pleasure with a quick trip to Colorado. Chris had work that brought him to Boulder and it gave us the opportunity to visit with my sister-in-law and her family who live in nearby Denver. Aside from spending time with our nephews, top on my list was a visit to Celestial Seasonings tea tour (future blog) and a stop at The Brown Palace for afternoon tea. After reading about the latter a few year's back in Bruce Richardson's, The Great Tea Rooms of America, it became a fantasy destination for me.

Last week, my sister-in-law made those dreams a reality. On Thursday afternoon, we sat across from each other at an intimately-sized round table in The Brown Palace's impressive eight story atrium lobby while background music played from the grand piano in a corner of the room. Built in 1892, the hotel's rich interior drips with elegance and grandeur. It takes little prodding to relax and assimilate to the environs.

Silver tea pots and a three-tiered tray were soon placed on our table and we were enjoying the ambiance while nibbling on delicious scones and egg-salad sandwiches. We sampled the hotel's signature brew, "Brown Palace Crown Jewel", a rich black tea blend of Assam and Ceylon. I liked it so much, I bought two tins of it from the gift shop to take home to keep the memories steeping a little while longer.

Good times, good tea, good day!

And, although one would find it hard to top such an elegant affair, especially within only a few days, we found a majestic venue in our own backyard upon our return home - and for Valentine's Day, to boot! We paid a visit to a White Castle restaurant complete with wait staff, tablecloths, candlelight and flowers. But, I'll save that story for the next blog.

For more information on the history and location of the Brown Palace, see The Detroit Examiner's recent article featuring this delightful tea room.

Barb's TEA Shop's In Out List for 2012: Don't risk falling victim to antediluvian fashions

It's that time again: the new year when we all get a chance to start anew. Every January, we're given the opportunity to set new goals and purge the negativity. It's also a time to get up-to-date on current trends and avoid falling into the rut of following old fashions.

Barb's TEA Shop, presents our second annual In/Out list of (mostly) tea-related trends. In 2011, we traveled to England (London, Winchester and Chawton, Niagara-on-the-Lake, Massillon, Ohio and all over our home state of Michigan to uncover only the latest in fashions, events and happenings for 2012.

We owe much of our inspiration to Wayne State Honor's College, featured in this week's Detroit Free Press, which has a list of their own. In response to "Lake Superior State College's List of Banished Words" (this year's list included "man cave" and "ginormous"), my alma matter came up with a group of words they would like to reintroduce to our everyday lexicon.

(We've provide links to past articles, primarily from Barb's TEA Shop blog and The Detroit Tea Examiner, but there are a few other sources included.)

Barb's TEA Shop's What's In/What's Out List in the World of Tea for 2012

In ..................................................................................Out

Afternoon tea at Kensington Palace................................Valentine's dinner at White Castle, unless you can handle the supercilious looks you'll get from the one percent.

Downton Abbey, Edwardian serial drama on PBS......The execrable Kardashian family drama on E!

The wedding of Kate Middleton & Prince William...........The divorce of Kim Kardashian & erstwhile husband of 72 days, Chris Humphries

Wide brimmed hats and tiaras.......................................Fascinators, unless you are from Whoville, although we applaud fashionistas' Sisyphean efforts to try and bring them back to favor again this year with the ill-fated assistance of Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie.

Jane Austen novels.......................................................Stephenie Meyers and all vampires who dare transmogrify classic lit again.

Jane Austen tea..................................................... ...... sensational assertions of parlous additives to medicine, by one crime writer, which may have caused of Jane Austen's death.

Irish tea, Irish tearooms and Irish shops.......................waiting for St. Patrick's Day to enjoy. Prolong the Emerald Isle frisson you experience on March 17th and partake in Irish delights throughout the year.

Aprons and pearls (Mrs. Cleaver) .........................Animal prints and fake tans (Snooki) Aprons and pearls don't need to be combined, nor do they necessitate truckling to domesticity, they're just classic accessories that beat out ginormous hoop earrings and orange bronzer.

Penultimate on our list is only "in": Jane Pettigrew's tea talks and books.

Tablescapes...................................................................White Castle outside the castle. A dining experience without a proper setting is downright antediluvian. If one's table doesn't have a theme, a centerpiece, fanciful dishes and an assortment of creatively garnished food, you might as well cook your dinner over an open fire and have your guests eat their turkey legs with their hands.

And, with that, we're off! The new year has started and we wish everyone all good wishes in future tea endeavors.

One last affirmation, just to validate what all you tea enthusiasts already know, in The Detroit News In Out List, published December 30, 2011, tea was "in".

Happy New Year to All!

Get ready for Holiday Tablescapes!

The holidays are here and I'm looking forward to one of my favorite activities of the season - decorating the dining table. To me, the feast isn't the same unless the table is set with colorful linens, amusing napkin rings, fine china and an eye-catching centerpiece, all displayed in a coordinated theme.

This is why I am so excited to be going to Blumz in Ferndale next month for their class, "Setting the Holiday Table . . . with Style!" This more-than-a-floral shop's event will have the professionals demonstrating creative napkin folding and fresh new ways to accessorize your table.

I've always found table settings fascinating. Even back in junior high, in my home economics class (so long ago, it was before boys could join us, so any future Emerils or Wolfgang Pucks were sadly stuck in shop class), I always volunteered to arrange the plates and silverware. I seriously don't remember what grade I received in meal preparation, but I do fondly recall my teacher inspecting a few of our final products and remarking, "I can tell Barbara set the table". At the age of 12, I could think of receiving no higher praise.

A little out there? Maybe. But, the interest in table settings never waned. Over the years, I have accumulated many unique serving pieces and always with the purpose of creating another festive dining tableau. When I first heard Sandra Lee, of the Food Network, describe her latest assembly of dishes, glasses, linens and themed-accessories as a "tablescape", I knew my somewhat unusual fascination had a name. . . and, even better, I was not alone!

That's one of the things that led me to afternoon tea. I love a table filled with polished silver, teapots, lace and candles. I can even forgive a less than spectacularly tasting meal, if the table setting from which we are eating is worthy of a photograph. Fortunately, I married a man who is a gourmet cook and so our friends and family don't have to suffer a poorly cooked meal at the expense of a fancy tablescape.

Today, the fun began. I went out and bought a new tablecloth for Thanksgiving Day dinner. With a gold leaf pattern on an amber-hued silk backdrop, I searched my china cabinet for plates and cups that will serve this festive covering. I'm also reworking a pumpkin centerpiece from last month into a harvest-themed focal point.

But, as you can see from my picture, I've only just started. This year, I need some new inspiration and I know I'll find it at Blumz! You should come, too. Send me an email if you are going and I'll look to see you there.

For more information, see the Blumz website. Here's date and time:

PRE-REGISTRATION Required by 12/11/2011Reserve Tickets In advance: $10.00 DONATION ea OR Bring 3 or more Canned Food Items for a local food bank Pay at the door: $25.00 Date - Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2011Time - 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm Location - Blumz... Ferndale,503 E. Nine Mile Road

The Irish Tea Room in Niagara-on-the-Lake: Warm, inviting and delicious!

Niagara-on-the-Lake is well known for its Shaw festival and many picturesque vineyards, but for those looking for a great cup of tea and delicious food with an Irish flair, the Irish Tea Room, on the town’s main street, is a must-stop destination.

Last month, my husband and I stayed overnight at NOTL on the way back from our cousin’s wedding. We had had many testimonials from family and friends (including said cousin) that this was a destination worth seeing, especially for those of us who are patrons of the arts and wines. But, through the internet, I also found there was a tea room downtown and from reviews and pictures, I knew that it would fit in nicely between the galleries and the vineyards.

With an early start and a hearty breakfast, we traveled the Lake Ontario shoreline and stopped at a half a dozen wineries. There is a distinctive taste to the Niagara-produced wine that I found I really liked. In fact, it was much like the comfortable fall day we were there - cool and crisp with just the right amount of zing.

But, I digress. . . after the self-directed winery tour, we drove to town and found The Irish Tea Room in the back of the Irish Design store on Queen street, the town's main avenue. The tea room's lace curtains, hardwood floors and shelves stocked with goodies make guests feel immediately at home and comfortable.

We met owner, Pat Henry, who is as warm and charming as her tea room. Originally from Ireland, she came to the America over twenty years ago. A degree in culinary arts and many years of catering experience, her dream of opening up her own tea room came seven years ago with the Irish Tea Room. Everything in the store is made on the premises. Pat told us, with a smile, "I make everything served here but the dishes".

We sampled the tea rooms scones which were amazing - perfect blend of delicious taste and light consistency - not to mention that the portions are extremely generous.We paired it off with a simply wonderful cup of Earl Grey although there's more than tea to choose from. The menu offers a wide range of beverages, including gourmet hot chocolate, specialty coffees and even a selection of the region's fine wines

Aside from scones, the tea room offers a wide variety of tea fare, including Guinness Steak Pie and Irish Whiskey Cake. In addition, the Irish Tea Room sells its own brand of packaged scone mix. We, of course, purchased a few to take back with us to go with our box of Barry teas - and a few Niagara wines we had purchased earlier in the day.

To learn more about this delightful tea room in NOTL,continue reading The Detroit Examiner.com Irish Tea Time in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Cheers to weddings, mini-vacations, and charming Irish tea rooms!

Tea Travels North of the Border: weddings, chocolate, shopping and lots of tea in Canada

While still sorting out photos and mementos from tea travels in London this past July, we set out on another international tea-filled trip, although this time, not quite so far away. Heading north of the border, my husband, Chris, and I drove from Detroit to Kingston, Ontario two weeks ago for our cousin's wedding. This mini-vacation combined all my favorite things: family, friends, weddings, vineyards, shopping, tea rooms, and, of course, lots and lots of tea.

Saturday morning - the day of the wedding - we went to the Farmer's Market in downtown Kingston. Lucky for us, Cha Cha Tea was in attendance and we were treated to a sample some of their delicious green tea. The good folks from this Kingston tea store prepared matcha tea in the traditional fashion,whipping it into a frothy lime green concoction with a bamboo whisk.

From the open air market, we walked down Brock Street to Cooke's Fine Foods. In business since 1865, this store offers a great selection of gourmet foods, coffees and teas in charming vintage Victorian decor. We were so transfixed on their shelves of tea, we totally ignored another cousin who had, unbeknownst to us, entered Cooke's around the same time we did. After apologies erupted and, as quickly, graciously accepted, we moved next to the candy area. Here we found another tea treasure: Roger's "High Tea" chocolate bar.
Another Canadian treasure, Roger's Chocolate began in the back of Charles "Candy" Rogers' grocery store in 1885 in Victoria, British Columbia. Today, with their own master chocolatier, they continue to create new and tastey chocolate treats. I'm not sure who to credit the High Tea chocolate bar to, but it successfully combines the very sweet taste of chocolate with the bold flavor of black tea. It also proved to be a great emergency snack on the way home as we experienced the familiar traffic slowdowns through Toronto on the Canadian autobahn, the 401.

Our cousin's wedding on Saturday night was what you hope for all weddings: it was beautiful and filled with joy. And, this union joined not only bride and groom, but a blended family of five daughters. The genuine affection of the family was so touching, I found I was, once again, outfitted with an inadequate amount of tissues.
The next day, the newly married couple invited us all to their home for a lunch buffet. Our hostess served us tea in generous-sized mugs, which inspired a "tea-scape", an abbreviated tablescape (top right). The tea was as warm and inviting as our hosts and we are so happy for them - and for the chance to have been a part of this big event.

Fortified with tea and munchies, we started back home, but with a slight detour to Niagara-on-the-Lake. Well known for its Shaw-themed theaters and abundance of wineries, we'd been interested in checking this place out for some time. I can tell you, we weren't disappointed. Our next blog will feature an amazing tea room we found on the main street of NOTL. Keeping with our international theme, we were back across the pond while still at our neighbor-to-the-north. And, still drinking lots and lots of tea!