Gracious Gift of Hospitality: Afternoon tea with 'Tea on the Titanic' Author

Afternoon tea with Penelope Carlevato

Imagine someone you have never met before inviting you to their beautiful home, across two time zones, for a delicious afternoon tea complete with freshly baked scones and cut flowers on the table, greeted like an old friend and charmed by a fascinating  hostess who is a published author.  If it sounds like a tea enthusiast's dream, it is, and yet, all of this really did happen to me a few weeks ago.

In April, my sister-in-law, Cara and I were guests of Penelope Carlevato, tea professional and author of the book, "Tea on the Titanic".  Penelope lives just outside of Denver, not far from the Molly Brown House, the home, and now museum, of one of the most famous survivors of the Titanic, and the subject of one of the chapters of the author's latest book.

Denver's Molly Brown House  was featured in the March/April issue of  Tea Time Magazine

 As a writer of both a tea blog and an on-line news column, I'm always looking for new tea experiences whenever I travel. Knowing I was going to the Denver area this spring, I began contacting some of the tea rooms in the vicinity that were on my wish list (see "Dushanbe Tea House" and "The Denver Tea Room") to visit. I also found inspiration in the March/April  issue of Tea Time Magazine. They featured historic places of the western United States to go to for a  unique tea experience and the Molly Brown House was included. That seemed like a must-see, too.

When I "googled" the Molly Brown House, I couldn't believe it - Penelope Carlevato was the guest speaker for an afternoon tea there the weekend we would be in Colorado. Unfortunately, it was scheduled for the day we were flying out and there wouldn't be time to squeeze in a cream tea, let alone a full afternoon tea spread and presentation.

Outside the Molly Brown House Museum in April

So, I sent a note to Penelope to see if she would be available to meet one of the days I was in town for a quick cuppa and chat about her book. After a few exchanges, we nailed down a time and Penelope suggested I come to her house for tea.

If I had any expectations (which I did and they were filled with crazy anticipation), they were far exceeded the minute Penelope invited Cara and I through the front door. It was like visiting an old friend and I felt instantly at home, albeit a beautiful one.

We spent the afternoon talking over tea about our families and our journeys. Penelope was born in England, her father an American soldier and her mother was British war bride. Her great-grandparents lived in in northeast England and their business was providing household help to wealthy families. They were visited by Queen Mary, grandmother of Queen Elizabeth II, and Penelope's great-grandmother served her tea. Penelope herself, met Queen Mary, as a child, in Sandringham and has had the remarkable story to share ever since.

"Tea on the Titantic" was written last year during the 100th anniversary of the  ill-fated luxury ship

Penelope's book, "Tea on the Titanic" has an interesting perspective on the ill-fated cruise ship, but despite the tragic story, there are many details that still hold us captive. Penelope's book has personal tales that relate to the cruise experience from a British point of view. She also includes recipes to create one's own Titanic afternoon tea as well as  interesting facts about the personalities and the class system on board the ship. Having just recently been to Cobh, the port town in Ireland where many Irish immigrants took passage, I felt a connection myself.

My husband, Chris, in Cobh, Ireland on our trip last October. Cobh was the final place of departure  for the Titanic.

But the part of the book that has the greatest meaning to me is Penelope's references to hospitality. She credits her mother for teaching her the "gracious gift of hospitality" and she further defines the difference between "hospitality" and "entertaining". She see the former as receiving guests "generously and kindly" and the latter as more of  a performance, with the emphasis on show rather than comfort and care.

Molly Brown House gift shop carries Titanic-related merchandise, including  "Tea on the Titanic" 

There's no question, Penelope has inherited that gracious gift from her mother. Imagining someone I never met before inviting me to tea in her lovely home for scones and friendship may have been a stretch. Imagining having a more delightful time over a cup of tea - well, I could never have dreamed that one, but I'm thrilled and most thankful it really did happen.

The Denver Tea Room: Tea and Social Media make great connections

Meeting Margo Seymour, tea room owner

I love social media about as much as I love tea, so when the two come together the results are usually pretty amazing. Such is the case with The Denver Tea Room.

A year ago, I received a few comments on my blog from Margo Seymour, owner of The Denver Tea Room.  She found me through the web and we started following each other’s posts and would frequently applaud a recent event or note a shared experience.  I had been to Denver for the first time a year ago February to visit family and I knew I’d be back, so I let Margo know  I’d stop by her tea room  whenever that opportunity presented itself.

That time finally came the first of April.  Chris (my husband) had a business trip in Boulder, so I tagged along to conduct a business trip of my own – all related to tea, of course.  My first notification was to Margo. I couldn’t wait to actually meet her  - and see her tea room - in person.

My sister-in-law Cara, who lives in Denver, was my tea companion and she navigated the route from my Boulder hotel to the tea room with ease. A few steps up to the tea room and my year-long wait was over. Margo, and her sister, Arlene Guillen, who manages the tea room, were there to greet Cara and me and instantly I felt like I was talking to one of my friends from the old neighborhood.  

 

Sisters, Arlene and Margo pair up to make a great tea room

And then it was tea time!

Cara and I enjoyed a delicious and beautifully presented afternoon tea. The food is prepared on-site, evidenced by the fresh and flavorful taste of everything we sampled on the tiered-tray. The scones were served with cream and lemon curd, which were scrumptious. There was a great variety of tea sandwiches and the sweets were delightful.

 

Delicious afternoon tea sweets and savories  

Guests can select their own loose tea from a tray where the individual tea is presented in tins.  You can view and sniff the different choices and then the tea is brewed in individual pots.

Guests can select from a variety of tea presented in tins for inspection

Another great feature of the tea room menu is that it can be prepared for various dietary restrictions with advanced notice. This was a big plus for my sister-in-law and she enjoyed herself so much, at her request, her husband and sons took her back  to The Denver Tea Room on Mother’s Day! There was something for everyone in her family on the menu.

The Denver Tea Room hosts special events throughout the year, too. They have book club meetups, bridal and baby showers, and themed teas, such as (oh, how I wish I could have been there!) their Downton Abbey tea the end of April. 

What a wonderful place for afternoon tea.  I can't wait to go back, even if it may be another twelve months before I can swing another trip to Denver. 

It's no secret tea brings people together, it's part of what makes tea time so popular. Now with on-line connections like blogs, Facebook, and Twitter in the mix, tea friends can be made miles away. In this case, it brought us to the Mile High City and we're so glad it did!

Mackinac tea in May: A grand time at the Grand Hotel

Matt and I just outside the Grand Hotel

Two weeks ago, we traveled to the tip of the lower peninsula and ferried across the Great Lakes to Mackinac Island. My son, Matt, volunteers as a forensics coach for his former high school and they end their competition season the second weekend of May at the Grand Hotel. Matt has a few hours of downtime, so we take the opportunity to meet up with him and enjoy the pre-season prices and smaller crowds. Of course, there's always the chance of pre-season weather and this year, we experienced chillier temps. But, it was still a great weekend filled with family, history, fudge and, of course, tea.

Shopping at Carleton's Tea Shop inside the Grand Hotel

This year, we made it to the hotel well before afternoon tea time, and, so had a chance to shop before Carleton's Tea Shop closed. Their tea selection is inviting. Displayed in old time wooden bins, you can view and sniff the tea  as you read about the ingredients under the bin lids. I bought Isle Royal and Mackinac Island Breeze tea. Brewing them up once back home, I found both are wonderful with fruity flavors -  great for the warmer weather. For a review of Mackinac Island Breeze tea, see the Detroit Tea Examiner's review, Start your summer with a Mackinac Island Breeze in your teacup.

Chris in a pensive moment during afternoon tea

We were among the first parties to be seated for afternoon tea. The sweets and savories were amazing. The only surprise we encountered - and different from the experience we had last year - was that the tea came in tea bags. Harney's teas are fine to be sure, but for such a grand place, loose tea just seems to be the expected.

Delicious sweets and savories served on charming Grand Hotel china

The presentation, however, with the charming teacups that sport the hotel's signature geranium flowers, along with the service are superb. The views from the Grand Hotel's famous porch are equally stunning.

Views from the Grand Hotel's famous porch are spectacular

Despite the clouds and cooler temps, old time baseball demonstrations carried on for visitors to the island. Matt had viewed a game before we docked, and, on our way to the hotel, we were all able to catch few innings of new one. It was really captivating to see how baseball was played before the multi-millionaire contracts were part of the equation.

Old time baseball played with the straits of Mackinac backdrop

After a day of shopping, tea and baseball, my husband, Chris and I headed back to the ferry dock. Matt joined us at Mary's Bistro for a quick snack before he headed back to the hotel for his  banquet and Chris and I went back to Mackinaw City.

Enjoying a quick snack before boarding our ferry

Back at Mackinaw City, we checked in at our hotel and crossed the street for, what we hoped, would be a quick bite to eat. Forty-five minutes later, we got our pizza. Held captive in a dining room filled with stuffed wildlife, my husband was showing signs of the strain.  

The long wait for pizza. Chris was hungry as a . . . well, you get it. 

The pizza wait was just a temporary setback. We woke up the next morning to a beautiful sunrise on the lake, with a spectacular view of the island and the Grand Hotel. We walked the beach and even the swarm of May flies did not deter our spirits. 

We took a leisurely trip down Mackinac City's main street before heading south on I-75 to our home. In another four hours, we'd be reliving memories of the Mackinac Island with sinfully delicious fudge and Grand Hotel tea served in a souvenir cup. 

Real tourists don't come home without fudge. Also treated myself to  a tea cup from the Grand Hotel.

We support Matt's volunteering for his former high school's forensic team. We find the team's season finale to be a great opportunity to visit one of Michigan's most scenic and unique destinations!

Dushanbe Tea Room: A Great Tea Room of America

Pouring tea at Dushanbe

When a tea room shows up in Bruce Richardson's  Great Tea Rooms of America, I know two things: its going to be good and I want to go there. Last month, I had the great fortune to be in Boulder, Colorado with the opportunity to visit one of the entries in Richardson's book - the Dushanbe Tea Room -  and it was, in fact, very, very good!

The tea room itself is a gift from Boulder's sister city in Tajikistan and the decor reflects the unique craftsmanship of many of the country's artists. The brightly colored carved ceiling, white plaster wall panels and bronze sculptors are visually stunning and, alone, would be worth the trip.

Beautiful carved ceilings from artists in Boulder's sister city in  Tajikistan

A fountain surrounded by bronze sculptures fills the center of the tea room

  The food, however, is equally amazing. My sister-in-law and I went for afternoon tea (of course!) and sweets and savories were all fresh and delicious. General Manager, Kasi Tenborg, joined us at our table for a chat and explained the restaurant's mission of farm-to-table as well as the history of the Boulder tea room. (For more on all that, see The Detroit Tea Examiner's article "Dushanbe Boulder Tea Room provides a unique setting with a creative menu".)

General Manager, Kasi Tenborg, visited our table and explained the tea room's history

To start our meal, we were served an "amuse bouche" (a French term that literally translates "to amuse the mouth") of asparagus soup with goat cheese. Served in glossy-white, demi-tasse cups, the soup was as appealing to look at as it was to taste. Asked how one should properly convey the soup to one's lips, our waiter told us using spoons was the proper method. The only suggestion I would add here, is that it would be delightful to have miniature utensils for such purposes.

An amuse bouche of asparagus soup with goat cheese was fabulous

Our afternoon tea came with a variety of scrumptious sandwiches and desserts, along with scones served with cream and lemon curd. Dushanbe also has a line of their own tea which was served in individual tea pots to accompany the repast. We sampled four different teas and our favorites were Earl Grey and Boulder Tangerine.

Afternoon tea menu and fresh flowers adorned our table

Sweets at the top of our three-tiered tray

After tea, we stopped at the retail counter and purchased some tea for home for everyone in the family - including the dogs. Yes!, it's true - the Boulder Tea Room also carries a line of tea for canines. Back in Michigan, I brewed some for our two dogs:  Baylee drank it right from the bowl, but Chloe preferred hers mixed in her food. But more about that to come.

Some of the items for sale include dog tea!

The Dushanbe tea room scores big on ambiance, service and cuisine. Now that I've been to this great tea rooms in America, I can't wait to go back!

My sister-in-law holds our take-home treasures outside the tea room 

Tea Time in Boulder Rocks!

Ku Cha House of Tea on Boulder's Pearl Street Mall

In the last three months, we at BTS have made as many trips:  February, we visited Atlanta,  in March we were in Florida and last month, April, we were dividing our time between Boulder and Denver.  Although a little jet-lagged and airport weary, I never tire of traveling or taking tea. Our trip to Colorado provided the latter in spades. We hit four tea venues/events in two-and-a-half days beginning with a Chinese tea room and ending at an in-home afternoon tea. We experienced a broad spectrum of tea times and all were amazing.

Quick break in Boulder with sister-in-law Cara

We started our trip in Boulder; my husband was there for business and I tagged along to connect with tea friends and family. My sister-in-law, Cara, resides in Denver and we had such a great time last year visiting with her and her husband and two boys (as well as The Brown Palace and Celestial Seasonings!) that I knew we’d be in for more fun this time around.  Cara was my “tea wing-man” on all but one of this year's tea outings and we slurped and sconed our way through two days of afternoon teas.  I know, tough assignment (ha!), but we were up for the task.

Ku Cha employee, Nich Dipasquale brews us up a sample of teas

The first night in Boulder, it was unseasonably warm -  the region had been dumped with snow the week before (and the week after!) our visit - and when my husband and I decided to dine out in the city’s Pearl Street Mall, we were caught up in the spring fever of the locals. Open air dining was available at almost every restaurant in the upscale neighborhood and as we walked down the busy streets, we came across Ku Cha, a Chinese tea room and retail store.  Located right on Pearl Street, this inviting store grabbed our attention immediately with its bright, cherry interior lined with shelves of tea. The customer service was equally appealing as we were treated to tea samples and steeping demonstrations by Nich Dipasquale.

My brother brought this peeing baby back from China. I picked up one at Ku Cha in Boulder.

My favorite tea accessory at Ku Cha was the “peeing baby”.  I had never heard of such a thing until this winter when my brother, Ed, returned from his year-and-a-half residency in China as part of a work assignment. He brought back several artifacts from his journeys and showed me the miniature terra cotta baby he bought at a tea room. It’s used as a hot-water indicator. You pour the hot water over the baby and if he leaks, the water is the right temperature for tea.

It was amazing, but less than a month after Ed showed me the peeing baby he brought back, I ran into the same tea accouterments in Boulder at Ku Cha. Nich prepared a variety of teas and ran through the peeing  baby demonstration for us a few times, to our delight and, yes,  giggles. Of course, along with a shopping bag full of tea, I bought one hot water indicator for myself.

Nich D. prepares a sample of Ku Cha's teas

We also met the owner of Ku Cha, Qin Liu, as he stopped in briefly just before the store closed. We wrote about our adventure for The Detroit Tea Examiner’s column: Ku Cha House of Tea:  Where East meets West in Boulder.

At Ku Cha - nothing like sampling some tea after a long day of travel

And, that was just our first night! The next morning, we headed to the Dushanbe Tea Room in Boulder followed by our final day's visit to The Denver Tea Room and a trip to the author of “Tea on the Titantic” Penelope Carlevato’s home for afternoon tea. But more about that in the next few blogs.

We headed west for a taste of the East and enjoyed it all to the last drop!

Simply Wonderful: Simply Gourmet AfternoonTea at the Crosley Estate in Sarasota

Visiting with Chef Larry of Simply Gourmet at the Crosley Estate in Sarasota

Less than a fortnight ago, my husband I headed south to visit his parents in Florida. In advance of our trip, my in-laws asked us what we would be interested in doing during our stay.  Chris had no agenda other than chilling out by the pool, but, of course, my automatic reflex response is always "tea room".  Lucky for me, my mother-in-law found a real gem of a tea event during our stay in nearby Sarasota - a Royal Afternoon Tea at the Crosley Estate put on by Simply Gourmet.

The Crosley Estate, built in 1929, is a bay-front Mediterranean Revival-style mansion which is beautiful venue for any event (they host weddings, showers, banquets and the like). But my good fortune, afternoon teas were being held there during the month of March by Simply Gourmet, owned and operated by the husband and wife team of Larry and Jamie Barrett.

Traditional egg salad and cucumber sandwiches were served with  turkey/sun-dried tomato pinwheels

Chef Larry met with us before the tea for an interview for The Detroit Tea Examiner (Crosley Estate's Royal Tea: Simply Wonderful from Simply Gourmet) and, then again, joined us at our table afterwards. A charming and engaging personality, Chef Larry provided the history and details of his journey from performing arts to catering, although within minutes of meeting him, one will know these occupations are not exclusive. Artistry and presentation are as important to Simply Gourmet's afternoon tea fare as are the undeniably deliciousness of every sandwich and scone.

Bay view window view

The bay views were a beautiful backdrop to the tea time treats of savories and sweets. Traditional egg salad and cucumber sandwiches were served alongside turkey and sun-dried tomato pinwheels. Current scones were served with heavenly Devonshire cream. But, the grande finale of desserts was spectacular. Cassis-soaked strawberry parfaits and double-chocolate brownies were among my favorites.

Scrumptious desserts included strawberry parfaits and double chocolate brownies

We sat with a wonderful group of ladies from the Sarasota area and enjoyed chatting with them at lovely table, set with vintage china and fresh flowers, overlooking an equally spectacular view from a bayside window.

We sat with a delightful group of woman from Sarasota

It was a simply wonderful way to spend an afternoon in Florida. Even though the outside temperatures were unseasonably cool - and not quite the contrast from Detroit we were hoping for - the tea warmed us inside and out and the Royal Tea from Simply Gourmet brightened a mostly cloudy visit to the Sunshine State.

Lovely tablescape with vintage china and fresh flowers

Austentacious Tea at Brighton Library: A Most Amiable Time

Brighton Public Library for BTS' Jane Austen Tea last week

Last Tuesday, BTS presented an Austentacious Tea at one of the assembly rooms at the Brighton Library to a most amiable and handsome audience.  

Having a presentiment about our equipage, we brought a “Plan B” laptop, as one should always depend upon an alternative should one’s primary resource present issues, which, last week, ours did.  After a cable transfer of small consequence, we moved beyond this trifling matter to the importance of tea - along with other Regency influences - in Jane Austen’s life and novels. 

We discussed where Jane shopped for tea and, perhaps, of greater importance, the sources she certainly would have avoided for fear of poor taste, quality or, far worse, poisoning!   

We also noted – and it is always with affection, and great comfort to me -  that we may all share in tea the way Jane did over 200 years ago by just adhering to two basic components:  Twinings tea in a Wedgwood tea cup.  The Austen’s were loyal to both.

And what about the Versailles connexion?!  C'est vrais, mes amies, there is a link to Jane Austen and Marie Antoinette. Is is not a surprise, than, that a  Limoges tea cup must be part of the story? 

 

Jane Austen and Marie Antoinette connexion? Mais oui. (Photo of Versailles  when we visited in 2008.)

When our presentation concluded, we recommended to those in attendance to avail themselves to our recent brochures which list all of our current programs, including our most recent addition: “Downton Abbey Tea”. By a most welcome reaction, we do detect that there is a great overlap between Austen and Downton Abbey enthusiasts!

Tonight, Brighton Library continues its celebration of Jane Austen and the 200^th anniversary year of Pride and Prejudice with “If You Liked the Movie, You’ll Love the Book”, presented by JASNA Michigan Chapter President, Barbara Adler.  I know all who attend will find this a gratifying experience. I attended the presentation last year and offer my highest commendation!

With much fondness and appreciation, we thank the Brighton Library for its accommodations and delightful patrons. It was truly a wonderful group of ladies who contributed to great evening of Jane Austen and tea!

Now I shall ring for Carson to bring me a cup of Twinings tea in a Wedgwood cup.

At Twinings in London where Jane purchased her tea