Raving about The Raven: Edgar Allen Poe-inspired cafe in downtown Port Huron

Port Huron's The Raven: on an afternoon bright and cheery, we enjoyed a scrumptious chai tea brownie 

On an afternoon bright and cheery, while we pondered tea sincerely, biz lunch at The Raven with chai brownies. Quoth me, I'd like more. 

Last month, we mixed business with pleasure while visiting Port Huron on a cool, but sunny, March afternoon. Barb's Tea Service has been invited to host a tea in this historic Michigan city later this year and, after a very enlightening tour of the Port Huron Museum, we took a quick drive to the main street of town to have lunch at The Raven.  A unique waterfront restaurant with, as you may have surmised, an Edgar Allen Poe theme. It's as delicious as it is quirky and we can't wait to go back.

Lunch on the second floor & adjoining balcony. We'll take advantage of the latter soon.

The Raven was new to me, but not to BTS team member, Pam B., who, knowing we were traveling to Port Huron, suggested this cafe for lunch. A few years back, on a trip to Stratford, Ontario, her posse of patrons of the arts stopped at The Raven for a repast before crossing the Blue Water Bridge.

Coincidentally, our business contact at the museum, also recommended The Raven. 

A quick review of the menu and I was sold. They had me at "Pit and the Pendulum Grilled Rueben". 

On arrival, we followed our hostess to the second floor to cozy space which faces the water. In warmer temps, we would have enjoyed a table on the adjoining balcony, but on this late winter afternoon, we were content to enjoy the views from inside along with the comforts of a hot beverage.

Although we did partake in their delicious coffee, along with a soup and sandwich combo, we did take tea in the form of one of their "Dreamland Desserts", specifically the chai brownie. This scrumptious confection is served with a drizzle of caramel syrup. It was incredible. 

A glimpse of Port Huron from top of the museum. See you later this year!

Our server was incredible as well - even offering to brave the chilly temps to take a less backlit photo of our table from the balcony. We declined, but we were appreciative - actually in awe - of the offer.

We plan to go back soon and take advantage of that balcony. . . and, perhaps another chai brownie or two. As earlier quoth-ed, we'd like more. 

For more information on this delightful Port Huron cafe, check out this link to The Raven. 

Barb's Tea Service is now on Substack!

Find Barbara Gulley on Substack, where we talk tea and tea-adjacent topics

 

This year, Barb's Tea Service is celebrating its "Emerald Anniversary" with twenty years in business. Thus far, we've also engaged in social media, for almost as long, to connect with our fellow tea-enthusiasts on Facebook, Twitter, blogspot, Instagram, YouTube and SoundCloud. 

And, now, Substack!

If you're new to the outlet, welcome - so am I. But, to be fair, it is relatively new on the scene. According to a Newsweek article last month, "Why Is Everyone Suddenly on Substack?", the San Franciso-based tech platform only launched in 2017 and already is "home" to 50,000 publishers. 

Who's on Substack? 

There's a wide range of contributors including former New York Times opinion editor Bari Weiss, FiveThirtyEight founder Nate Silver, journalist Dan Rather and the talented, singer/songwriter, millennial son of one of my besties. 

And, now Barb's Tea Service.

At the urging of my Podcast co-host, Chris, I signed up to Substack last month and published two articles to date. The first one was just an intro, the second, a topic very familiar to BTS blog readers:  Jane Austen. For our first true content piece, we reviewed three film adaptions of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice (and, yes, one of them covers Mr. Collins' mastery of the banal dinner conversation, i.e., "the most excellent boiled potatoes").

Our second Substack article reviews three Austen film adaptations. 

To date, many publishers quoted in Newsweek like Substack's kinder/gentler environment. According to Catherine Valentine, Substack's head of politics, content producers like the great visibility but also, "more than that, [they] have been able to find a community with their readers".

We hope you will be part of our communi-tea.  😊 Please check us out with the link below and we'd love if you "subscribe" (no charge!) 

Barbara’s Substack | Barbara Gulley | Substack