Victorian Tea Parlor - An Unruffled Tea Time with all the Ruffles

Entering the small brick building with the bright yellow door, in downtown Berkley, one is met with an explosion of chintz, lace and bric-a-brac. Every shelf and table surface is filled with an assortment of tea cups, teddy bears, candles and other tea-related curiosities. There’s so much to take in, you’ll use your leisurely afternoon tea time to absorb it all. Such was our entry into the Victorian Tea Room last week.

To say there’s a feminine side to this tea room is a bit of an understatement. But, it shouldn't deter males from partaking in the fun. The food and service is quality and gender-neutral and worth the absence of a big-screen TV or moose head on the wall.

My tea companions were my son, Matt, and daughter, Rachel. Matt and I had been there a few years ago, when, even as a teenager, Matt was willing to cross the line into ruffled curtains and pink tablecloths to take his mother out to tea for Mother’s Day. What struck us back then, as it did last week, was the friendly service and inviting home-brewed tea.

We started our afternoon, after some highly-spirited and good-natured chiding directed at Matt from our hostess, with two pots of tea: black current black tea and tropical green. After waiting for the leaves to steep, we poured the tea into our cups with the help of those charming silver tea strainers that catch the loose tea from the teapot. It’s just another lovely detail that adds to the ultimate afternoon tea experience.

For our lunch entrée, we all decided on the open-faced chicken salad sandwich with melted cheese. As our hostess proclaimed from the onset, “this is not fast food” and so, while waiting for our meal, we sipped our tea and discussed everything from college schedules to health coverage to the cute little stuffed animals that pop out from various glassware around the tearoom. When served, our sandwiches were tasty and light, which saved room for this restaurant’s "home baked" desserts.

Matt and Rachel chose the chocolate raspberry cake while I broke from the pack and ordered the lemon curd tart with Devonshire cream. The chocolate cake was deliciously rich while the lemon curd tart was a burst of citrus-y decadence tempered most appropriately with the silky-smooth cream topping.

It was an afternoon of tea, food, and conversation. Keep in mind, this is not a place of drive through service or economy pricing, but that’s why one comes to visit, to be sure.

BTS gives this a pearl-buttoned, lace-crocheted, white-gloved thumbs up.

Yours in TEA and
friendship,


Barb

Jane Austen Festival at Locust Grove

It was a fortnight ago that BTS, including Mrs. and Miss Gulley, attended the Jane Austen festival at the historic Locust Grove, in Louisville, Kentucky. We experienced such felicity, it is our hope that our account of the event will meet with our Dear Readers approbation.

On the weekend of July 18 - 19th of this year, Locust Grove held its second annual JA festival, full of all things Jane and Regency period. Bonnie Wise, president of the Louisville chapter of the Jane Austen Society, is the coordinator of the festival and the perfect hostess in manner and dress. Attired with the requisite bonnet and empire-waist gown, she greeted guests with alacrity and charm.

The site of the festivities, was once the home of William and Lucy Clark Croghan and, later to George Clark, Revolutionary war hero, brother-in-law to William Croghan and older brother of William Clark, of the famous "Lewis and Clark". Built in 1790, it approximates the time when our favorite author was spending her days in England (more than likely never conceiving she'd have a fan club more than 200 years later - and across the pond, at that) . Locust Grove's handsome buildings dot the rolling grounds of eastern Louisville and if you check your ipod and your cell phone at the door, you will swear you are back at Netherfield, seeing Mr. Darcy approaching from the manicured path. Do not think we are aggrandizing - it is the truth!






Our first event of the day was a book talk, by another of our favorite authors, Margaret Sullivan, editrix of Austenblog.com and writer of "The Jane Austen Handbook". Loaded with multifarious facts about Jane and the Regency period, enhanced by teasing tidbits ("a lady" did not wear * ahem* panties) and delivered with sassy wit, Ms. Sullivan delighted her audience and gave us much to ruminate upon. Thanks to her "Five Things a Janeite Heroine (or Hero) Needs to Know", under the topic of servants, I now know why it was quite acceptable for Elizabeth Bennett and her aunt and uncle to tour Pemberley without Mr. Darcy being present. It also explains why Mrs. Rushworth, after some study, was almost as knowledgeable as the housekeeper "to shew the house" to her guests. The Handbook is a must have for all JA devotees as well as those curious as to Regency customs. It's a reference guide that is as interesting as it is entertaining.

After the talk, we strolled the grounds before our afternoon tea time. We toured the Croghan home, climbing the narrow stairs to the second floor, to see period fashions displayed throughout. After a turn about the room, we noted a lovely table set for tea in one of the period bedrooms. How civil!

From there, we hit "Meryton" and shopped for bonnets, feather adornments for one's evening attire and the latest in shoe and boot wear. We talked personally with the Shoe Maker, who showed us how some shoes were constructed so they could fit either foot - thus making it possible to have to replace only one, should the other be lost or ruined. Dear Readers, I dare say, you won't find any Jimmy Choo, but, thankfully, you won't see any crocks, either.

Then, back to the "Regency Emporium", the main market place where we bought some Pemberley soap and browsed through dress patterns and specialty books. This was also home to the "main dining room" where we were shown our table for afternoon tea time. We sampled various Harney teas and were treated to a three-tier tray filled with scrumptious sweet and savory favorites. The meal's finale was quite literally the icing on the cake and we had our choice of several to pick from - I had the carrot cake with its creamy white frosting and Miss Gulley the spice, with its golden, caramel topping.
But, those were not the only riches being served. We saved room for the fashion show, which was was a living display of Regency attire for men and women, hosted and created by Betsy Bashore. It was an early 19th Century Project Runway, with the latest styles that would make Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn demand an encore. Squires and Ladies and young misses walked the aisle way to an admiring crowd. (Perhaps, Mrs. Gulley will need to acquire a new gown and reticule for the next JA Festival!)

After a day in merry old Louisville, it was time to locate our Chevy four-wheeled phaeton in the parking lot and drive back home to 2009 on the interstate highway. We recharged our cell phones and Miss Gulley plugged in her ipod with not a single country dance on the shuffle. Bidding adieu to our Jane Austen world for the moment, we had much to cogitate on our way home for it is most certain that we will be back again.

Yours, Dear Readers, in TEA and Friendship,

Barb

Note: Barb's TEA Shop will be presenting "An Austen-tacious Tea and Tea Manners" program at the Blair Public Library, Clawson, Michigan, October 5th. Contact BTS or the Blair Public Library for more details.

And, for those of you who visit the Regency Period on your own from time-to-time, check out BTS past blog, dated March 30, 2008. It's true - you don't have to go far, to go back in JA time!

Light of Day - "Green" Tea in Northern Michigan

Hello TEA Friends,

Another adventure in "serendipi-tea" brought us to Light of Day, a true "green" tea business that is dedicated to providing organic products that are high quality, healthy and, I'll readily add, simply delicious.

Two weeks ago, BTS took a trip to Traverse City for the annual Cherry Festival. This area has long been known for its scenic bay views, resort living and, of course, cherries. In recent years, however, entrepreneurs have embraced this region's natural resources and the northwest sector of the lower peninsula has seen the proliferation of wineries and gourmet restaurants. This little city, where years ago we brought our kids every summer for putt-putt, water slides and parasailing, is now attracting the nobility of the haute cuisine, including celebrity chef Mario Batali, who has a summer home just northwest of this cherry capital.

So, we started our adventure at Trattoria Stella, a charming, brick-walled and arched ceiling restaurant whose menu, filled with dishes prepared with ingredients supplied by local farms, will meet any epicurean's expectations. Their daily lunch menu offerings include local cheeses and fruits, salads and tramezzinis (sandwiches) on crunchy homemade bread and, something new to us, "Light of Day" teas. Sampling one of their exciting black teas, we knew we needed to know more about them. Who knew it be in less than an hour?

From Trattoria Stella, we made our way through wine country and stopped at what have become some of our favorites: L.Mawby, Chateau Chantal and Blackstar Farms. At Blackstar, outside their retail store, we were met with quite literally, another sign, that pointed to Light of Day. Was this fate?

I was convinced it had to be at our next and final destination: the Cherry Festival in downtown Traverse City. We had ordered tickets to the first ever "Global Wine Pavilion" at the festival and, while this was supposed to be our reason for being there, we found we were pleasantly sidetracked.

On the way to pick up our tickets at the hospitality tent, we again saw the Light of Day sign inside the Sleeping Bear Gourmet booth! Here we met Bob and he allowed us to sample a variety of Light of Day teas including Honu Chai and Creamy Earl Grey. All of the teas were amazing and, because it was an usually hot day in northern Michigan, he'd alternate serving the teas hot and cold. Tasted great either way.

Bob explained that Light of Day was the creation of Angela Macke who is both a registered nurse and a horticulturist. Her farm practices Biodynamic agriculture and supports Free Trade tea. Everything is quality, right down to the packaging which features polished tin containers (which boast the "Made in USA" stamp) and labels that are designed and printed locally. Imagine drinking a delicious cup of tea and feeling so gosh darned good about it!

So, I'm getting ready to place another order with Light of Day. My newest addiction is Creamy Earl Grey. It really delivers on what it advertises - this is a silky smooth black tea that needs nothing added to it. In my unscientific dining room test market, both my daughter and husband, who ALWAYS add milk to any tea, were happily satisfied drinking this one au natural.

Enjoy the rest of your (Light of) day and this beautiful, summer weekend.

Yours in TEA and Friendship,

Barb

Karma Tea and Tonics Will Get You Instantly

Hello TEA Friends!

As soon as you walk in the door, Karma Tea and Tonics will get you. . . . from its sleek, contemporary furnishings to its gleaming wall display of loose tea selections, you'll feel like a superstar - and how right you are!

It's a stretch, I know, but as a life-long Beatles fan, I can't help but think of John Lennon whenever I hear "karma" and, although his "Instant Karma" had nothing really to do with tea rooms, it does seem to have some application to this unique establishment: an uncluttered, yet sophisticated interior that any individual or group will feel comfortable at. It's a place, if you will, where we can all shine on. On the particular day of our visit, we saw an eclectic group of visitors from small families, to students, to office professionals, sipping tea while conversing, reading or looking over laptops.


We met the owner, Terri Heard. who has been running Karma Tea and Tonics since 2008. According to Teri, the tea room was the kind of business she was looking for - a gathering place to serve quality teas and host special events like poetry readings and book signings. In fact, Terri's daughter has written three books of poetry which can be found on the gift shop shelf occupying a portion of the tea room's east wall.


The teas, of course, are the focal point and they come in selections of choice, premium and elite; going up the scale of quality and price, accordingly. I sampled Monkey Gold, which is a hearty black tea. I found it smooth and nutty. My only regret was not trying a tonic. These are liquids comprised of fruit and herbs that add flavor and other benefits to your drink. That will give us something to look forward to at our next visit.


In addition, you will want to check out the display of loose teas - as fun to look as it is to sample. Every tea Karma sells is on exhibit in a clear glass container. You can open any one of them up to inspect and inhale the aroma of the tea inside. Aside from trying out a tonic, next visit I'm certain to ask for a pina colada tea. It had me at first sniff.

We were served tea in paper cups, which works well for some occasions, but not all. However, we were told china is available, so if that's your preference, make it known when you order.


So, when in Ferndale, check out Karma Tea and Tonics and - you knew this was coming - "dine on, like the moon and the stars and the sun".

Karma Tea and Tonics, "Bar-style Tea Lounge", located at 309 W. Nine Mile, Ferndale, MI.

Afternoon Tea Bridal Shower (or May Showers Bring June Wedding Flowers)

Although, May (and April and June) showers did provide us with one beautiful, outdoor setting for a wedding this month, if we had used the Afternoon Tea Bridal Shower as a predictor of things to come, we would have all rested easier the week before the nuptials.

The third week in May we held an Afternoon Tea for my, (now), daughter-in-law, Karyn.

Borrowing off her wedding reception theme of vintage serving pieces, we gathered collections of "heirloom" china plates, bowls and teacups that were longing to be showcased.

Among the china, crystal, teapots and warmers, each place setting had a favor to commemorate the upcoming big event - and it had to be tea, of course. Each guest received a customized blue (the bride's favorite color) and white labeled tea tin, housing white tea bags, with the couples' names and wedding date.

But, perhaps the most important part of the table setting, the tea sandwiches and desserts, arrived right at noon, catered for the event by 2 Unique Catering. Family and friends could sample a variety of "European sandwiches"; vegetarian, salmon and turkey, to name a few. Absolutely delicious and only overshadowed by the grand finale: the dessert tray! Served on glossy black platters and garnished with fresh yellow roses, each plate was filled with miniature pastries and chocolate covered strawberries. There were tiny bumpy-cake confections and flaky-crusted tortes, along with truffles, lemon bars and tiny carrot cake pieces. Each a Lilliputian work of art and each tasting as scrumptious as they looked.

All of this accompanied by assorted black teas and champagne to cap off our "Royal Tea" (remember, an afternoon tea served with champagne or sherry is bestowed the majestic titled, to make any occasion - and especially this one - special). A fitting event for our bride-to-be, who, like our pastries, is as beautiful on the outside as she is on the inside.

So, May showers can be lovely - just as long as they stay indoors.

Happy Holiday Weekend to All!

Barb

Mother's Day is Golden

Hello TEA Friends!

I'm treating myself to an extravagantly leisurely (read: "lazy") afternoon today, sipping an equally luxurious cup of Yunnan Gold, with shorts on, feet up and windows wide open. For the past six months, most of my time has been spent aiding and abetting in wedding plans for my son and now daughter-in-law. Next feature story will be ALL about the nuptials (and, so as not to hold you in suspense, it was beautiful!), but this weekend is devoted to getting caught up with all things that have been set aside for awhile.

It's actually rather fitting that I'm going back a month to Mother's Day. Now that I'm both a mother and a mother-in-law, it seems most appropriate to take a short trip back to the day that honors all moms. In the midst of the wedding preparation flurry, my son, Matt (aka "best man"), phoned me the day before Mother's Day as I was helping my other son, Rob, (aka "groom"), cut brush and trim trees on our property up north (aka, site of the wedding reception and ceremony) to suggest we go out to tea on the following Sunday afternoon.

I suggested the Goldfish Tea Room in Royal Oak. It had been awhile since I last stopped in this tea room (see BTS blog story, March 2, 2008) and I was anxious to go back for a visit. Their tea is wonderful and I knew Matt, and my daughter, Rachel (aka, "bridesmaid" - - and, okay, okay, not more "aka"), who joined us, would find this a pretty hip place to hang out. And, indeed, they did.

We started with a pot of Yunnan gold and a plateful of delicious, assorted pastries. The serving system is as casual and comfortable at the furnishings. The tea room folks prepare your first pot and send you off with a tray and timer. When the minutes for steeping are up, you pull out the mesh basket with leaves and let it rest on a wooden tray, which has long, cut out grooves to allow for draining. After you've enjoyed your first pot, you can go back to the serve-yourself counter, select the appropriate hot water dispenser for your type tea and reuse your tea leaves. We were told we would get at least two or three pots, but I think we squeezed in a fourth as we were in the middle of a heavy discussion of best books-to-film adaptations (A & E's "Pride and Prejudice", anyone?).


Goldfish Tea Room is a great place to sample excellent teas and spend a relaxing hour or two. Again, Barb's TEA Shop gives this tea room two gloved thumbs up! Hope you treat yourself to a little R & R this weekend, too.


Yours in tea and friendship, Barb

London Afternoon Tea in an Unlikely Place

Afternoon tea at Starbucks?!! Surely, Barb's TEA Shop has not exhausted all tea room visits!

Well, in answer to these questions, it's "yes" and "no", respectively. But, tea snobs, hang in there (rest assured, we draw the line at tea time served at McDonald's drive-through) and please allow me to explain . . .

Last weekend, to celebrate my birthday, my daughter and I were going to have afternoon tea together. Because it was the day before Easter, I thought some tea rooms may be closed or booked. So, late Saturday morning, I called what looks to be a very urban, very hip tea room in Ferndale to see if they were open. Although, I was told they would be closing early (6:00 pm) because of the holiday, they were, indeed, open now. Rachel and I were looking forward to trying out this newer tea room and sharing some quality chat time.

We got ourselves ready and drove down Woodward and turned west on 9 Mile. We found a spot in the public parking lot (remember to bring quarters when patronizing Ferndale) and made our way to the front of Karma Tea and Tonics. Only one problem - the door was locked with a sign taped to it that read, "Will be back at 1:30". It was about twenty after one when we got there, so despite the brief let down, we decided to sit on a sidewalk bench and wait. Meanwhile, the meter was sucking down our quarters while we were doing nothing more than watching for a door to open.

Shortly after 1:30, we looked back at the darkened storefront and, discouraged, decided to hold out no further. There was no indication if we'd be waiting another two minutes or forty, so we cut our losses and jumped back in the car.

Moving north on Woodward, we thought we'd check another tea room on the way back home, but they had a sign posted on their door as well - they were closed for the holiday. No misleading message there, so we were left to consider our few remaining options.

Rachel suggested Starbucks. She had been to one near campus lately and knew they had enhanced their tea and food offerings. We were guaranteed they would be open and what they may lack in tea room ambiance and other delicate accoutrement's, they would make up in surety.

We swung by the familiar Starbucks sign and, seeing cars in the parking lot, and no sign posted on the door, we ventured in. I requested a London Fog Tea Latte made with Tazo tea. To borrow from Starbuck's own description, it's a black tea "with citrusy Italian Bergamot and a hint of lavender. Sweetened with vanilla syrup and topped with steamed milk and velvety foam".

I must say, not too bad at all. Accompanied by a Starbucks scone and my college sophomore across the table, I had a very enjoyable afternoon tea. Not exactly London or Ferndale, but convenient and quite tasty. And, you have my word, if Barb's TEA Shop's next tea time visit is to White Castle, I will voluntarily retire my tea etiquette consultant status.

Yours in tea (no matter where!) and friendship,

Barb