Spend Valentine's Day with tea, chocolate, roses and. . . hamburgers?

It's Valentine's Day and we all have our own idea of how the perfect February 14th should be celebrated. I like spending the day with chocolate, roses and tea (see our blog entry from February 12th on Adagio's Valentine tea which combines all three!). Throw in a candlelight dinner and my ideal has been realized. But I never, in all my romantic daydreams, considered fast-food hamburgers in the scenario, let alone reserving a table at the neighborhood White Castle. But, maybe it's time to break out of the heart-shaped chocolate box and reconsider.

In a story I first ran across this weekend by The Restaurant Examiner, Anya Vinclauv, I thought it must be a one-time, one-locale promotion. Further reading and a visit to the White Castle website, proved, however, that across the county, one could celebrate Valentine's Day at the short-order grill with tableside service and flowers on the table. It's all part of White Castle's "Sweetheart Meal Deal" and, if this sounds at all tempting, you'll have get to your phone quickly. This is a reservation-only affair and, per White Castle's website, "seating is limited".

The White Castle menu includes not only its signature "Sliders", but exotic fast-food fare such as fries with cheese, fish nibblers and chicken rings. In addition, you'll see they also serve chocolate shakes and a hot tea (the latter's menu picture proudly captions "have a sip and meditate on the depths of White Castle Flavor"). Chocolate, tea and a rose on the table - this is starting to sound dangerously familiar.

Should you never want to forget such an evening, White Castle advertises that you can have your picture taken during dinner. Somehow, though, I don't think a photo would be necessary. I have a feeling, this is an experience that would remain in one's memory for a very, very long time.

It may be too late for this year, but I'm keeping options open for 2012. For now, I'll console myself with some Valentine tea, chocolate truffles and a beautiful rose on my dining room table (thanks, Chris and Rob!)

Happy Valentine's Day to all - no matter how you spend it!

Barb

Celebrate Valentine's Day with Chocolate, Tea, and Roses from Adagio

Valentine's Day is almost here and we're celebrating with all the traditional ingredients of the holiday. At Barb's TEA Shop, we are spending February 14th with tea, chocolate and roses. In fact, we like the combination so much, we turned to Adagio Tea's Valentine tea, which allows us to enjoy all our favorite things in just one cup.

For those of us who have sampled a lot of chocolate tea, it's easy to get disappointed. The aromas can promise delicious things to come, but it doesn't always translate in the brew. Adagio's Valentine tea, however, will not only have you at "hello" when you open its package, it will keep your interest until it has the last word at the end of your cup.

Starting with Ceylon black tea, Adagio's romantic blend, adds rose petals and natural strawberry and chocolate flavors together to bring all the delights of February 14th to your teapot. Roses will fade and chocolates bring calories, but Adagio's Valentine's tea will satisfy all year long.

Happy Valentine's Day to all!

Barb

Scones for your next Super Bowl Party?

On the top ten list of the most popular food items consumed on Super Bowl Sunday, even I was surprised that tea made the list. Even more shocking was what made it to the top. According to the NY Daily News, the market research group NDA reports the most popular food eaten on professional football's biggest day of the year are vegetables. Who knew?

Well, certainly not anyone who attends my brother Glenn's annual Super Bowl party. It's a holiday feast starting a few hours before kick-off with a 6-foot sub, salty snacks and delicious dips. The pot-luck menu gets better every year with gourmet cookies, home baked chicken wings and spicy meatballs. At half-time, while we wait for the next potential celebrity wardrobe malfunction we munch down just delivered deep dish pizzas. All this typically gets paired with a diet cola or low cal ale in attempt to counterbalance the super-sized caloric intake for the day.

So how do vegetables, salads and milk make this top ten list? According to NDA, not everyone watches the Super Bowl. It's hard to believe as long-time attendees of my brother's Super Bowl party. How insular can we be to forget that most households in America don't watch it at all? So in all the years we devoted fans have endured times where the commercials were better than the game and indulged on dips with sour cream, double-fudge brownies and pizza with cheese-stuffed crusts, most other folks are sitting down to dinner with vegetables and tea? Incredible.

Based on this recent information, I have informed my brother that I will be bringing a pot of Earl Grey. He's up for the new addition, but says it will remain a BYOV (if you want veggies, you have to bring them yourself). I don't think the pre-Super Bowl trivia games are in threat of being replaced by a viewing of A & E's Pride and Prejudice nor do I think Chris' from-scratch chicken wings will get any competition from scones and crumpets.

Let the best tea/football party begin!

Yours in tea and friendship,

Barb