BarbariTea

Tea deal!

2010-08-03T07:24:00.001-07:00

http://deals.woot.com/sellout

Check it out - ultimate tea experience!

Gingerbread tea and pie crust cookies

2010-07-26T12:42:00.000-07:00

Ah, again, the tastiness that is Pie Crust Cookies! Today's pairing with Gingerbread tea (a seasonal tea from Adagio - big surprise, eh?) is MOST excellent. In spite of my laissez-faire approach to tea brewing, the gingerbread tea tastes like...well, like gingerbread. It makes me wish I had some gingerbread right now. In fact, that might be a tasty thing to bake up later this week....

But back to the topic at hand - the tea is a typical flavored black tea, providing a good balance between the bite of tea and the gingerbread mellowness. Not one of my favorites, but a nice tea anyway. Definitely would not want anything more substantial than the pie crust cookies with this one - it could get overpowered easily.

Friday! Chocolate MacNut Coffee and White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies

2010-07-23T12:38:00.000-07:00

What a good day!
Zoe slept 10 hours straight last night, JJ woke up at 5 but didn't insist on bouncing out of bed until 7am - at which point he actually ate breakfast! - I worked out a little, got some work done, had a lovely lunch with my friend Joanna at a new place (The Holy Grail - the fried goat cheese with tomato jam was lick-your-plate AMAZING and the Red Dragon burger was scrumptious), and now, for my afternoon coffee, John sent me with Chocolate MacNut coffee and I snagged a couple of my fav cookies from Paradise bakery to go with.

Life is good. Really good.

Honestly, it just doesn't get better than this coffee. It is my favorite coffee of all time. And that's saying rather a lot. It has a velvety smoothness in your mouth that reminds you of that perfect taste you have in your mouth after you drink a cup of really high quality hot chocolate but before you've had anything else. And the cookies (already a fav) match perfectly.

I'm never going to lose weight at this rate, but right now I just don't care.

Here's to living the high life - yeah baby!

Strawberry tea and chocolate fudge

2010-07-20T14:26:00.001-07:00

Ok, so it's been a rough day. The baby kept me up most of the night and I had an early morning meeting that I needed to be "on" for. I'm a little dizzy and a lot tired. SO, I was really looking forward to my tea today.

Unfortunately, the strawberry tea was disappointing. The first taste was quite nice but it quickly went bitter on the tongue. Like, I am inspired to shave my tongue bitter. No kidding. The fudge - one of our friend brought it to our Christmas in July party - was the saving grace for the afternoon. I only had a little bit, but it was heavenly and made up for the bitter bitter bitter tea. To be fair, I may have brewed it just a bit too long (like maybe a minute) - if so this is not a tea for the careless tea drinker (that would be me). I'm just not dedicated enough to time things that closely.

rooibos vanilla chai and sopapillas

2010-07-12T13:38:00.000-07:00

OK - an odd comb I know. But I just *had* to have some sopapillas today (from Mi Chula's) and the rooibos vanilla chai was the only tea on my desk at the moment that didn't have the word "berry" in it. Surprisingly, they go great together. Actually, I guess it shouldn't be all that surprising since the sopapillas have a nice dusting of cinnamon on them. And they're sopapillas. I mean, really, what wouldn't go well with sopapillas?

The chai is a nice spicy sweet all on its own - definitely a sit up and grab you by the nose kinda tea. It give you that kind of sticky feeling at the back of your mouth that you get when you sip hot cider through a cinnamon stick. In a good way. I like this tea, but I think I will save the rest for a colder day. Since it's a rooibos tea, I could see myself having this before bed, maybe curled up on the sofa watching a rented CSI episode.

Tie Guan Yin and Big John's Cajun

2010-07-09T14:01:00.000-07:00

After a delicious Pad Kee Mow for lunch, I was left wanting just a little something more. So I settled on some Big John's Cajun cheese and an apple as my "biscuit" today along with a pot of Tie Guan Yin. This oolong tea is light, floral, and less grass-like than most green teas. It actually holds it own against the spicy cheddar (which is to die for - get a sample and try it at your local Whole Foods), which is slightly surprising, but matches very well with the apple (a nicely crunchy Pink Lady that has been sitting on my desk all week waiting to be munched). I also have some cold yogurt pancakes for the baked item (I'm clean out of crackers at the moment) which also match well with this tea.

If you're a cheese fan, definitely get some of the Big John's if you can find it. So far, it seems to go well with just about everything - including hamburgers!

So, a veritable Friday feast today! TGIF y'all!

Blueberry tea and a chocolate chip cookie

2010-07-08T14:34:00.000-07:00

Today's tea schedule was a bit off because I had a bunch of meetings in the afternoon, then I had to feed the baby, and then the my son said his head was grumpy....well, you get the picture. Chaos. Contained, but chaos nonetheless.

As a result, my tea ended up steeping a bit longer than I intended. Like, 30 minutes longer. But fortunately, that was ok. My Adagio Blueberry tea was still pretty darn tasty. I really like the flavored black teas from this company - they have a nice balance of tea-ness to whatever flavor they are using. In this case, the blueberry flavor was pleasantly understated, even with the serious tannin bite you get when you let tea sit too long (you know that fuzzy feeling that makes you want to scrape your tongue across the roof of your mouth?) Brewed properly, this is a very good tea. And it matches REALLY well with chocolate chip cookies. I had one leftover from my Paradise Bakery run (they give you a FREE chocolate chip cookie when you buy lunch) and it went perfectly with the tea. A lesser cookie would've been overpowered, but this one stood up to the challenge. Try it!

Tea Review: Gemini Adagio Blend and White Chocolate Mac Nut Cookie

2010-07-07T14:33:00.001-07:00

Ah, Paradise Bakery, how I love your cookies. I was going to have an apple and cheese as my snack today, but as fate would have it, I found myself at Paradise Bakery for lunch (their Fire Tomato soup and Ham and Brie panini are a killer combo) and I CANNOT go there without getting their white chocolate macadamia nut cookies. I'm pretty sure they're illegal in some states - they are that good. Really.

My tea selection for this afternoon is the Gemini blend from Adagio teas. A gift from an online friend, I was pretty excited to try it. It smells lovely - the peach really comes out in the scent. Nice for a summer afternoon. And not at all acidic. Lovely. I wish I had my pie crust cookies today and my white chocolate macnut cookie yesterday! The cookie definitely overpowers the tea, but would go great with coffee . Fortunately, I'll get a chance to try that later this week as I thought ahead and got extras (cookies that is). Unfortunately it is taking superhuman will power not to just eat all the extras right now (did I mention I love these cookies?).

The Gemini tea is definitely a keeper for when you want something light and unobtrusive with a little fruit in the nose. I would order it again when I run out.

First Review: Koa Kona Estate Coffee and Pie Crust Cookies

2010-07-06T12:56:00.000-07:00

Ok, so I got to thinking about this tea review thing and thought - why just do tea? So, I am adding coffee and cookies (or biscuits when it is tea) to the reviews. Because afternoon tea doesn't have to be tea - it's more about a short break with a light snack, a moment to reflect on the day and gather your resources for the next few hours so you can finish on a high note.

SO, with that in mind, today's "tea" is Koa Kona Estate Coffee (with heavy cream, no sugar) and Pie Crust Cookies.

The coffee has the characteristics I have come to appreciate in Kona coffees - smooth, full bodied, and very satisfying. This is a coffee drinker's coffee - no pretense of being anything but the classic idea of what coffee is. You know how when you smell coffee brewing it always has a certain smell, no matter what the variety of coffee is? Well, this is that coffee smell, in a cup. Perfect as an afternoon treat, a breakfast pick me up, or a counterpoint to a sweet dessert. Speaking of desserts, the pie crust cookies I chose for my accompaniment today do NOT do the coffee justice. They're good - plain, tasty, just a hint of salt - and would do well with a lighter, sweeter coffee or with some tea. But for this coffee they are just too blase. Something sweet - perhaps a truffle or a thin slice of Italian cream cake - would match much better with this coffee. I'll remember that next time I have some :)

For those interested in the "how to" on pie crust cookies: Make a pie crust using your favorite recipe (I like Crisco's basic recipe). Roll it out and cut shapes out of it like you would sugar cookies (I am fond of the old fashioned tin bridge cookie cutters), slap them on a cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes (depending on how thick/thin you rolled 'em). I like mine THICK. My toddler loves these things and they are stupid simple to make. If you like yours sweet, sprinkle sugar on top before you bake them.

A Cuppa Day - coming soon

2010-06-22T13:43:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm ready to revive my interest in tea. Between my dissertation and having a baby, I've drifted away from this particular love for too long. Unfortunately, news of my temporary tea-less state, never reached my friends and relatives, and as gift giving opportunities arose, the tea samples started to accumulate. I have tea tins stuffed in bags and baskets, on display in the kitchen, falling off of shelves, propping up spices and a random bag of granola, and generally cluttering up the kitchen. My husband actually threatened to give some of it away (ACK!) because "you aren't drinking it." Well, pooh on that. I will drink it. At least, I'll taste it. And, to keep me honest, I'll review it too. At least once a week, and hopefully (as my life gets back under control), once a day.

Meanwhile, perhaps I should look into creating a modern tea ritual to get more out of it than just the tasty goodness...

The Perfect Cup

2007-11-13T15:26:00.000-08:00

Many a treatise has been written on the perfect cup of tea, expounding on everything from the temperature of the water to whether the tea should be poured into the cup before or after the milk. George Orwell provides us with no less than 11 points necessary to ensure the perfect cup of tea! But what about the humble and oft overlooked vessel without which tea would simply be another hot drink – the tea cup.
Tea cups come in a bewildering array of colors, shapes, and sizes – from the daintiest bone china with a delicate pattern of forget-me-nots around the rim to boldly colored oversized French cups, large enough to bathe a small dog comfortably. Originally developed in China, teacups gained the addition of a handle when introduced in Europe to keep the drinker from burning the fingers.
But what makes the perfect cup? Volume? A cover (gaiwan)? Thinness (to help cool your drink) or thickness to keep it hot? Height? Designs in tea cups range from the basic to the visionary, much like the tea itself. But without a background in fluid dynamics (and, surprisingly, no physicists seem to have taken up this challenge), it seems we may never know which is best.
Fortunately, designers have known for a long time that it is not simply the function of the object that matters, but how it figures in the experience of using the object. That is, a tea cup is not simply a way to get tea from the pot to our lips, but part of the experience that is drinking tea. As a result the texture, shape, and beauty of a tea cup is just as important as its ability to keep your tea contained. For example, Bethan Laura Wood makes teacups that are treated to be stained in predetermined patterns – the more you use the cup, the more of the pattern is revealed – underlining that the tea cup in inextricable from the act of drinking tea.
But as I sit sipping a cup of earl grey, contemplating what makes the perfect teacup, I remember one important consideration that no one ever seems to mention. A saucer large enough for your biscuit.

Baby and Me Makes Two for Tea

2007-11-01T15:27:00.000-07:00

“…and you’ll have to give up tea…” continued a well-meaning friend of mine who was delivering a litany of all the things I could no longer do now that I was pregnant. I was horrified – give up tea? Sure, I could forego the wine and give up my sushi, but tea? That was going too far! Fortunately, a bit of research into the subject soon showed that I would not have to give up my favorite cuppa. The main concerns over tea and pregnancy are caffeine and herbs
Higher caffeine consumption (specifically more than 300 mg daily) has been linked in some studies to miscarriages and low birth rates. Low caffiene consumption - less than 150 mgs a day – has been shown in studies to have no affect on developing infants. Amounts in the middle (150-300 mg) are still in debate, with studies coming in on both sides. Since a typical cup of brewed black tea contains about 48 mgs of caffeine, you can sip up to 3 cups a day without real concern (and of course, you can always get decaf).
Herbal teas are trickier – some herbs can cause serious issues, especially in early pregnancy. Yellow dock and alfalfa are both considered unsafe during pregnancy while ginger and peppermint are thought to be fine. Fortunately, food-based teas (like my favorite Blood Orange) get the thumbs up across the board.
On a side note, there has been some recent controversy over green tea consumption during pregnancy. Due to the way the elements of green tea bond with certain chemical within the body, it has been suggested that drinking green tea may have an adverse affect on the body’s ability to process folate (important in reducing neural tube defects).
So, as with most things, the key is moderation. I ordered a few tins of my favorite black teas in decaf form, stocked up on my fruit teas, and made a date with my girlfriends to head out to our favorite tea room. Who knows? Maybe I can start growing a new tea lover early.

Seasonal: Dallas Arboretum: Chocolate Tea

2007-10-21T14:58:00.000-07:00

Celebrating the process of making chocolate, the Dallas Arboretum hosted a special "chocolate tea."
A formal, afternoon 3 course tea, the service and dinnerware was elegant and understated. The relaxing atmosphere provided by the arboretum ensured an enjoyable afternoon of quiet conversation with table companions. The food, while good, was overshadowed by the teas, which were unimpressive and at times down right nasty, having been allowed to steep way too long .

For Becky's review, see http://www.beckymadison.com/cgi-bin/blog?smonth=10/2007

Tea Event: Breast Cancer Awareness Tea

2007-10-01T11:46:00.001-07:00

Tea is always an excellent way to take time to visit with friends and a tea with a mission is doubly sweet. August found Becky and I at the ninth annual Breast Cancer Awareness Tea in Fort Worth.
The website had specified “Sunday best” but we were little prepared for the glamor of our fellow tea go-ers. As we walked into the Marriott, we were treated to a vision of hats, gloves, and pearls. After registering, we were directed to a silent auction with items ranging from beautiful gift baskets to adorable pink earrings. For those less comfortable with the uncertainy of an auction, there was the “Pink Store” with various small items available for purchase.
Soon it was time to find our way to our table which turned out to be another adventure in and of itself! Each table had a unique theme and we flitted from table to table taking them all in - tiny fairy statues, tropical Hawain foliage with leias, Indian elephants (complete with everyone wearing saris), Asian plates complete with name cards in Chinese and chopsticks, cowboy boots, whimiscial hat boxes with tea pouring from the top, beach ball center piece with chocolate shell candies, and even a disco themed table complete with disco ball.
Even more amazing than the tables were the hats. Becky and I stared in awe at the varied confections perched high atop the lovely heads of their owners, ranging from simple elegant pieces to daring constructions, like the winner of the Dare-to-Wear category, a riot of yellow carnations and organza with a tiny yellow hat perched at the very top (or my personal favorite - a beautiful chinese latern made into a hat).
After tea was served, the program consisted of a slide show tribute, pink roses presented to breast cancer survivors, an informative medical lecture on inflammatory Breast Cancer, an inspiring talk from the found of Men Against Breast Cancer, and a live auction that included some lively bidding for such high-dollar items as tickets to a Cowboy’s game.
The entire experience was one of education, elegance and fun, pulled together with a polish and surety that made attendance a pleasure. As we drove away, we were animatedly discussing what we had learned and how we might try to host a table next year. How about travel?

Tea Room Review: Adolphus Tea

2007-10-01T11:45:00.001-07:00

With a reputation for the "most elegant tea in Dallas", the Adolphus had quite a lot to live up to. Fortunately, and thanks to their excellent tea captain Michele, it did.
Four courses of lovely food were served, accompanied by live piano music. The atmosphere was quiet, peaceful, and most of all elegant. The tea menu was likewise well-appointed with a large number of choices of loose leaf tea, which were difficult to decide between. Thank goodness for Michele who was able to provide impeccable recommendations for every course.
Well worth the price tag, the tea at the Adolphus has certainly earned it's reputation as one of the best teas in Dallas.
For Becky's review, see http://www.beckymadison.com/cgi-bin/blog?smonth=09/2007

Tea Room Review: Middleton's House of Tea: Temple

2007-09-19T08:56:00.001-07:00

Tucked away in near-obscurity in Temple, TX, Middleton's House of Tea is definitely a find. Providing an impressive 5 course tea (starting with sorbet and moving through to the fabulous deserts), you feel transported to a quaint cottage in the English country side. Delicious mango tea complimented the courses. Service was cheerful and helpful, ensuring a relaxing, stress-free experience.
All in all, well worth the trip!

Tea Room Review: FiveTwelveCollege Tea Room: Waxahachie

2007-09-19T08:55:00.002-07:00

Hosted by one of the most fascinating tea room ownersI have had the pleasure to talk with, the FiveTwelveCollege Tea Room provides an experience simultaneously relaxing, delicious, and educational. A regular full-course afternoon tea is served with a select number of loose leaf teas. Everything is done with an eye to tradition, including the shapes of the sandwiches - soldiers, diamonds, and butterflies. The owner has been all over the world and is full of wonderful stories about tea she has had in far away places. A wonderful place all around!

Tea Room Review: Kiran's: Houston

2007-09-19T08:55:00.001-07:00

While in Houston for the Lucy exhibit, Becky and I dropped in on this upscale resteraunt with my sister Sharon to try thier tea. Kiran's offers a uniquely Indian twist on the traditional afternoon tea, providing perfectly brewed loose leaf tea with every delicious course. The atmosphere was quiet and elegant with understated service ready to help and offer advice. An experience I would recommend to anyone.
For Becky's review see http://www.beckymadison.com/cgi-bin/blog?smonth=09/2007

Tea Room Review: Gypsy Rose Tea Room

2007-07-28T17:34:00.000-07:00

On our way back from picking apples in Henrietta Orchards in Roanoke, Becky and I decided to try this new, up and coming tea room, located in the back of the Antique Mall in Lewisville. What an excellent decision! Gypsy Rose offers a wonderful selection of loose leaf teas, with sample available for viewing and (most importantly) sniffing. Prepared in individual pots, we tried the Emerald Charm and Roasted Almond varieties (both wonderful). For lunch, we ordered the daily quiche (broccoli cheese) and the salad sampler with chicken salad, soup, and pesto pasta. The quiche was excellent and the chicken salad was the best I've had at any tea room. For dessert, we split the pound cake with pomegranate reduction sauce and vanilla ice cream - lovely. The atmosphere was quiet but fun with cheerful service ready to help and offer advice. An excellent experience I look forward to repeating. I can only hope that they will begin offering an afternoon tea service in the near future - I'm confident they will do as well at that as they do at their current tea.
For Becky's review see http://www.beckymadison.com/cgi-bin/blog?smonth=07/2007
Gypsy Rose Tea Room: http://www.gypsyrosetearoom.com/

Tea Room Review: Katie's Daughter

2007-06-07T17:58:00.000-07:00

I have been twice for afternoon tea to this quaint little tea room, tucked in the back of an antique mall in Arlington, and both times have been pleased and impressed with their loose leaf tea selection and food.The berry scones were very moist and lovely and the cucumber sandwiches were unusual and tasty. But the real star of the menu is their loose leaf tea selection. I've managed to sip my way through five selections so far and can't wait to try the rest.

I look forward to returning this fall to try the pumpkin dessert!

For Becky's take on it, see http://www.beckymadison.com/cgi-bin/blog?smonth=06/2007.

Katie's Daughter: http://www.katiesdaughter.com/tearoom_hightea.htm

Belles and Bullets

2007-05-30T09:58:00.000-07:00

I love nothing better than a tea party. Except maybe a tea party where I get to do a little target practice with the girls.
I found out that Bullet Trap(http://www.bullettrapinc.com/) offers a "ladies night" on Wednesdays, so I couldn't resist setting up a second ladies tea shoot. (for pics and a write up on the first one, see http://barbaritea.blogspot.com/2005_08_01_archive.html?SID=8b23db6e3470315aba3dc9c3b770f109).
We met at the range and, with our 2 safety officers, proceeded to try out a number of pistols. Some of our ladies were first time shooters, others had been out to our first ladies tea shoot. Everyone had a fabulous time. After a couple of hours, we drove back to my house for a formal afternoon tea (albeit at 8pm at night) complete with finger sandwiches, scones, and lovely little desserts.
For more pictures and details, check out Becky's Blog - http://www.beckymadison.com/cgi-bin/blog?smonth=05/2007

Tea Room Review: Serenitea

2006-10-25T08:26:00.000-07:00

URL: http://www.sereniteatearoom.com/
Address: 13889 Southwest FreewayHwy 59 and Sugar Creek Exit(Gerland's Shopping Center)Sugar Land, TX 77478
Phone: 281-491-4588
Reservations required for afternoon tea.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 teacups
Ambiance: 5
Service: 5
Food: 5
Tea: 5

Located in an improbable strip mall, Serenitea surprises and delights from start to finish. An enormous tea selection, generous portions, and an enthusiastic and knowledgeable owner make this tea room something special.

A pot of good quality loose leaf tea is provided for each guest and for each course. An extensive tea menu is available, but definitely ask the hostess for her recommendations as there are so many considerations it may be difficult to decide. The hostess was able to provide extensive information and advice about tea selection, including suggesting a a wonderful blueberry tea that matched perfectly with the scones course.

The food was both delicious and generously portioned, served with a traditional clotted cream and wonderful lemon curd. Even with skipping lunch, we were unable to finish all of the desserts.
Service was great - the hostess was friendly and clearly enthusiastic about tea. When asking about certain varieties, she dashed off to bring back a tin to let us smell the selections before choosing. The atmosphere was comfortable, unpretentious, and welcoming. An excellent place for any tea enthusiast to spend an afternoon.

Tea Room Review: Enchanted Cottage Tea

2006-10-25T08:14:00.000-07:00

Combine dollhouse charm with superb service and tea selection and you begin to have an idea of the experience waiting for you at the Enchanted Cottage tea room. The owners have turned what was once a run-down ramshackle house into a gingerbread cottage in suburban neighborhood. Stepping through the door is slightly surreal as you leave a common place street behind and enter a sugar-coated wonderland. Every inch of the house is meticulously hand-decorated - the attention to detail is fantastic – and the overall effect leaves one feeling as if you have stepped into a beautiful fantasy land. The tea selection is extensive, providing an excellent variety in silk bags. A different tea may selected for each course, allowing visitors to sample several types. The food is delicious, with an emphasis on the sweeter courses. Service is excellent – it is clear from the moment that you enter that the owners are tea room enthusiasts themselves. On every level, the Enchanted Tea Room is worthy of its name - little wonder that it brings out the princess in all its visitors.

Tea Room Review: Mary Ellen's Tea Room

2006-10-25T08:09:00.000-07:00

Located in a strip mall in Dallas off of Beltline, Mary Ellen's provides a nice tea experience with the emphasis being on the service and atmosphere.
A selection of bagged, rather than loose, teas were provided. The china for serving was pretty as was the homey tea pot. The sandwiches were basic but tasty - chicken salad, egg salad, and tuna salad - served on soft white bread with a generous accompaniment of fruit salad. Two types of delicious scones were served (pumpkin and cranberry) with a lovely sugar glaze and were, by far, the favorite course. The pumpkin scone was deemed so delicious that the clotted cream was passed over! The desserts were good, if not particularly imaginative.
Service was attentive, polite, and efficient. We were checked on consistently and unobtrusively. The atmosphere was quiet and inviting - the decor varies from room to room and adds a homey touch. The layout of the place disguises the surprisingly large size - broken into several smaller rooms, it is ideal for large parties to be served while never disturbing the other patrons. Overall, a nice place for a quiet gathering of two or many.

Iced Tea Haiku

2006-07-28T12:33:00.000-07:00

Cool diamond drips slide
Sparkling mirrored light plays
Serenity in glass

Superstitious minds...

2006-06-09T08:08:00.000-07:00

http://www.teamuse.com/article_001101.html
An excellent article about superstitions and tea.

DFW Tea Readers Group

2006-05-31T12:31:00.000-07:00

http://dfwtea.com/
An interesting club in the DFW area that meets once a month to have a book discussion and tea. Happy sipping ladies!

Afternoon Tea Haikus

2006-05-17T08:12:00.000-07:00

Smiling at steam fronds
Breathe the scent of jasmine blooms
Escape for a time

When Sisters rejoin
Words that tumble fall into
Fragile cups of thought

Sipping hot comfort
Such tiny tasty tidbits
Belie the moment.

Tea Review: White Peach (Adagio)

2006-05-16T09:54:00.000-07:00

http://www.adagio.com/white/white_peach.html
This lightly flavored white tea has a slightly sweet taste that compliments the delicate white tea nicely. Matching nicely with mild snacks (such as crackers), I like this tea in the late afternoon, after an unwisely heavy lunch. Although I have not tried it iced yet, I imagine it would be a delightful way to enjoy this brew.

Tea Room Review: Grand Lux Cafe

2006-05-02T12:36:00.000-07:00

URL: http://www.grandluxcafe.com/
Address: Galleria Dallas 13420 N. Dallas Parkway, Dallas, TX
Phone: (972) 385-3114

Rating: 3.75 out of 5 teacups
Ambiance: 3
Service: 4
Food: 5
Tea: 3

Urban tea. That phrase best describes the tea experience at the Grand Lux, a large, loud, upscale cafe located in the Galleria mall.

Tea is served in the lounge/bar area, and as such, is hardly a cozy affair. Loud music blares from the speakers making it difficult to hear your tea companions. Servers are only slightly familiar with the tea service at this time, making it difficult to get good recommendations on the tea.

Decent quality loose leaf tea is provided, prepared in coffee presses (and interesting addition). Unfortunately, the tea is generally not allowed to steep long enough before pressing, resulting in a weak drink (unless you are fortunate to have a skilled server). Asking for "double strength" helps considerably.

The food is the highlight of this experience, delicous and artfully prepared. Four beautiful open faced sandwiches start the meal, followed by a two tiered trey with three lovely scones (accompanied with lemon curd, raspberry jam, and clotted cream), and seven heavenly desserts.

Sevice was inconsistent - the first time we went, the server was very efficient and friendly. The next time, the server was unfamiliar with tea and often misidentified items when explaining them. A second pot of tea can be provided, but at an additional cost.

Tea Room Review: Angela's Bistro 51

2006-05-02T12:20:00.000-07:00

URL: http://www.angelasbistro51.com/
Address: 2701 Guillot Dr, Dallas, TX
Phone: (214) 979-0051
Reservations required.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 teacups
Ambiance: 5
Service: 5
Food: 5
Tea: 3

Elegant from start to finish, Angela's Bistro provides a refined tea experience with superior cuisine. The warmth of the hardwood floors creates a quiet atmosphere that is enhanced by the striking painting hung on every wall, reminiscent of dining in an art gallery.

Upon sitting down, diners are presented with a selection of bag teas from which to choose. A pretty china pot of hot water is provided for the table to refresh your cup. Additions of a loose leaf tea, or a tea pot for each person (so you could steep your bag in the pot rather than in the cup) would be welcome.

The food is as elegant as the surroundings and as unusual as some of the art pieces. The sandwich, desert, and dip courses are served on a tiered tray while scones are brought in a basket to the table during the service. The sandwich courses included a wonderful chicken salad sandwich dipped in fresh herbs and an open-faced cucumber sandwich. The scones were very tasty as were the deserts. The dips were the most noteworthy portion of the meal, an unusual and delicious addition that included a cheddar/cherry dip paired with crackers, lightly steamed asparagus paired with a mustard dip, and strawberries paired with a sweet cream.

Service was impeccable - the server was very efficient and friendly. We never had to ask for refills on the hot water and the dishes seemed to whisk themselves away when we weren't looking.

Piccadilly Passion Fruit (Sir Aubrey's)

2006-04-25T09:01:00.000-07:00

http://www.siraubrey.com/products.htm

This lovely iced tea provides interesting passion fruit flavor to overlay the black tea based. In no way a sweet tea, the fruit stands up particularly well to the iced tea presentation. I prefer to brew this with a bag of Luzianne to further bring out the black tea undertones. This is an excellent blend providing crystal clear results.

Tea Review: Silver Needle "Yinzhen" (Holy Mountain)

2006-04-20T13:57:00.000-07:00

http://www.holymtn.com/tea/whitetea.htm

This mild and delicate white tea has a slightly nutty taste with very subtle smokey undertones. More flavorful than some of the other white teas I have tried, it should still be drunk on its own as it would be quickly overpowered by anything else consumed at the same time.

Tea Room Review: Lavendou's

2006-04-19T12:34:00.000-07:00

URL: http://www.lavendou.com/tea.htm
Address: 19009 Preston R., Ste 200 Dallas, TX
Phone: 972-248-1911
Hours: M-F, 3-5:30pm
Price: $14.95
Reservations required.

Rating: 4 out of 5 tea cups
Ambiance: 4
Service: 4
Food: 4
Tea: 4

An upscale French eatery on Preston near George Bush, Lavendou's offers a nice selection of teas and delicious food for a more than reasonable price. The atmosphere bespeaks of a lovely French country kitchen, elegant, yet humble. Sprigs of lavender adorn the establishment adding to an overall feeling of relaxation.

The service was unobtrusive and prompt - perfect for conversation and relaxation. While not particularly knowledgeable about the the teas, our waiter was efficient in explaining the food and the tea menu provides an excellent overview of the selections.

The teas were interesting and prepared with skill in basic china. Each guest gets a single pot. The de Lavendou tea is especially nice for those who enjoy a bit of lavender, but all teas were of a high quality.

The food is presented all at once on a three tiered tray. The sandwiches, provided on a good quality white bread, included cucumber, proscuitto, and chicken salad - all nicely put together. The scones were a bit dry (clotted cream and a single type of jam were provided), but the tea bread was delicious and moist, served with a creamy spread already applied. The desserts were by far the best part of the meal, with the chocolate/coffee napoleon stealing the show.

Tea Review: Jasmine #12 (Adagio Teas)

2006-04-12T18:03:00.000-07:00

http://www.adagio.com/oolong/dragon_pearl.html

Jasmine #12 is a lovely jasmine pearl tea with a well-balanced, traditional oolong flavor. Delightful to watch, the pearls unfold into long graceful leaves in the pot creating a beautiful golden tea. Be sure to brew in a clear pot so you may enjoy the show. This tea quickly becomes quite strong, so do not over steep.

Tea Review: Mandarin Green (Adagio Teas)

2006-04-10T06:44:00.000-07:00

http://www.adagio.com/green/mandarin_green.html

This lightly caffeinated green tea provides an excellent introduction to green teas. The delicate flavoring of subtle orange overtones effectively masks the strong grassy taste generally associated with traditional green teas. Once brewed, the tea takes on a beautiful light green tint. Very forgiving on the steeping time and unaffected by repeated reheatings, this tea is perfect for the office or for a quiet afternoon at home. Matches surprisingly well with chocolate.

Tea Room Review: Maudee's

2006-04-05T13:01:00.000-07:00

URL: http://www.maudees.com/frameset.html
Address: 4333 Lovers Lane Dallas, TX
Phone: (214) 526-9750
Hours: M-Sat, 3-5pm
Price: $17.95
Reservations required.

Rating: 4 out of 5 tea cups
Ambiance: 4
Service: 4
Food: 3
Tea: 5

Located in a strip mall in Dallas off of Lover's Lane, Maudee's provides a decent tea experience with the emphasis being on the tea rather than the food.

A selection of lovely teas are served in eclectic china shaped like elephants, mums, and more. A different tea may be selected with each course. Of the teas tried, the Green Strawberry Hibiscus (a seasonal choice) was the most remarkable, with a surprisingly pleasant tang. The unique shapes for the tea pots occasioned a comment and the server indicated that finding new and interesting tea pots is a bit of a passion for Maudee's - one that definitely sets an interesting and memorable table.

The sandwiches were extremely basic - pimento cheese, egg salad, tuna salad, and chicken salad - served on soft white bread. Scones and muffins were tasty with a lovely sugar topping and were, by far, the favorite course. The desserts - an iced chocolate brownie and lemon bar - were mundane when compared to City Cafe and Inessa Stewart (both on the same street), but were tender and delicious.

Service was attentive, polite, and knowledgeable. The server was able to provide excellent recommendations regarding the tea selection and preparation. The atmosphere was quiet and inviting - the decor offering a wonderful break from the hustle of the street outside. Overall, a lovely place for a tea lover who is looking for a quiet afternoon.

Tea Review: Blood Orange Tea (Adagio Teas)

2006-04-04T09:47:00.000-07:00

http://www.adagio.com/herbal/blood_orange.html

A caffeine free herbal tea, this blend combines fruits and spices, such as cranberries, orange peels, and hibiscus flowers to create a cup with a lovely tart orange flavor and deep red color. With a cinnamon stick in the cup, it's like drinking Christmas! Even before brewing, the tea is so fragrant and attractive, it could easily be used as a potpourri. Very forgiving on the steeping time and unaffected by repeated reheatings, this tea is perfect for the office.

Tea Room Review : Lavender House Tea Room

2006-04-02T09:08:00.000-07:00

URL: http://www.lavenderhousetearoom.com/ourtearoom.htm
Address: 2821 Craig Drive, Ste 101 McKinney, TX
Phone: 214-726-0777
Hours: M-Sat, 9-11am and 2-5pm
Price: $20
Reservations recommended.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 tea cups
Ambiance: 4
Service: 3
Food: 3
Tea: 4

Located in a strip mall in McKinney, Lavender's is an interesting mix of frou frou shopping, antiques, and tea.

Each place setting includes lovely china, reminiscent of your grandmother's tea service. The dining area is seperate from the shops, ensuring a lack of interruptions. Unfortunately, a family with very noisy children were seated next to us, causing the atmosphere to suffer.

The tea selection seemed limited to black teas and the server was unable to help illuminate the choices. The tea, once served, was decent but unremarkable. Of note is the royal tea that includes champagne as well as tea.

The sandwiches were extremely basic - pimento cheese, egg salad, tuna salad, and chicken salad (the lack of the ubiquitous cucumber sandwich was noted with some dismay). Scones were tasty, but appeared a bit lonely on the plate. The desserts seemed unimaginative, compared to some other places in the DFW area, but were gobbled up nonetheless.

Service was attentive and polite, but not particularly knowledgeable.

Tea Room Review: City Cafe

2006-03-31T08:07:00.000-08:00

URL: http://www.citycafedallas.com/tea.htm
Address: 5757 W. Lovers Lane Dallas, Texas
Phone: 214-351-2233
Hours: Th-Sun, 3pm
Price: $25
Reservations required.

Rating: 4.25 out of 5 teacups
Ambiance: 4
Service: 5
Food: 4
Tea: 4

Located on Lover's Lane in the "Tea Cup" of Dallas, the City Cafe tea room has captured the tea captain from the Aldolphus - much to the credit of City Cafe.

The tea room is quiet and well appointed, definitely a haven from the everyday bustle of the street. An interesting selection of music compliments the atmosphere and effectively masks any noise that might seep in from the restaraunt. The china is elegant rather than ornate as is the silver tea service.

The food was impressively good and unusual, starting with a tomato basil soup and fried green tomatoes that they were "trying out." Sandwiches were tasty, but compared to the rest of the food, unremarkable. The scones were delicious (with generous portions of clotted cream) and the desserts heavenly.

An interesting selection of loose leaf teas is provided, with a different pot of tea served with each course. All of the teas were flavored or herbal, favoring those with a sweet tooth. The tea captain was able to provide feedback as to which teas matched best with milk, which were caffinated, which were ideal for pregnant or nursing mothers, and a wealth of other tea-related information.

Service was impeccable, providing not only knowledgable recommendations for the tea but also an entertaining patter. We were "my lady" and "my lovelies" and definitely felt pampered, fussed over, and adored. Possibly the most unique and genteel service we have ever experienced in a tea room - each diner is left with the impression that they are on par with royalty.

Tea Room Review: Into My Garden Tea Room

2006-03-30T10:26:00.000-08:00

URL: http://www.intomygarden.com/
Address: 1017 East 15th Street, Plano, TX
Phone: 972-509-0292
Reservations required.

Rating: 4.75 out of 5 teacups
Ambiance: 5
Service: 5
Food: 5
Tea: 4

Tucked away in the back of a cute gift shop in old downtown Plano, Into My Garden Tea Room is a hidden treasure. With a variety of levels of tea service, ranging from full three course tea to a child's tea party, this tea room has something for everyone.

The homey atmosphere with beautiful china provides a welcome contrast with so many of the tea rooms found in Dallas by stressing comfort and quality rather than appearance. Upon sitting down, you immediately feel as if you have simply stopped by a favorite aunt's house and are being served a really lovely tea in her kitchen. Tea is served in an arbor-like retreat which provides a nice separation from the rest of the cafe.

A single pot of good quality loose leaf tea is provided for the table, with ample refills on both hot water and leaves. No tea menu is provided but the selections (listed from memory by the hostess Sue) are extensive. The hostess was able to provide extensive information and advice about tea selection, including suggesting a highly caffeinated floral tea for one dinner who had been up too late the night before.

The presentation of food perpetuates the feeling of "home" that pervades this tea room. The generously portioned sandwiches use a simple, crustless white bread decorated, amusingly, with small silk flowers. However, it is the delicious gourmet sandwich fillings (such as wild rice chicken salad) that make them stand out as exceptional. The second course had multiple scones and moist tea bread of various flavors served with a homemade clotted cream and a delicious plum jam. Dessert - four bite-sized delicacies (such as a key lime tart) - completed the experience nicely. Each course had remarkably large portions and, even with skipping lunch, we were unable to finish all of the desserts.

Service was impeccable - the hostess remained attentive without becoming intrusive and immediately ingratiated herself with the table with her friendly demeanor during a brief cross examination about the tea selection. We never had to ask for refills on the tea - they seemed to appear almost magically while we had been deep in conversation.

Tea Room Review: Cafe Danielle

2006-03-29T07:18:00.000-08:00

Phone: (214) 741-2244
Address: 5710 W Lovers Ln Dallas, TX 75209
Reservations recommended.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 teacups
Ambiance: 2
Service: 3
Food: 5
Tea: 4

Nearly invisible behind the Buffalo Gap Trading Company, Cafe Danielle provides a surprisingly delicious addition to the Lover's Lane tea rooms, acquitting themselves admirably along side the Renaissance Garden Cafe, Maudee's, and City Cafe.

From the outside, the cafe has a pleasant feel, lovely trumpet vines spilling over the adjacent wall. A smattering of antiques are hung on the walls and from the ceilings - the price tags detracting only slightly from their eclectic charm. The tables are spare with bamboo folding chairs that provide no cushioning and minimal comfort. On our visit, the windows were extremely dirty, detracting from what would have been an otherwise lovely view of the flowering vines. The table setting itself was charming, with an interesting mishmash of cups and saucers and teapots provided with pressed glass plates that seemed at odds with the spare surroundings.

A selection of five teas from Tea Forte (http://www.teaforte.com/) is provided, in charming silk tea bags. The pyramid shape of the bags alone afforded a great deal of comment and interest. The quality of the teas were excellent - unfortunately, we were left to our own devices in determining which to try as our server did not provide any information about the varieties, their characteristics, and what they might match best with. A tea menu with a brief description of each tea would be a welcome addition.

The food was, by far, the most enjoyable part of the entire experience. The enormous scone was served with a lucious clotted cream (the best I've tried in the metroplex to date) and a generous portion of jam. The sandwiches were both delicious and imaginative - excellent breads served with up-to-date versions of old favorites. The dessert course was as wonderful as the sandwich course and included a heavenly warm chocolate cake that stole the show. Each course was of impeccable quality and presentation, although we were uncertain exactly what each sandwich and dessert was since the server offered no information about any of the courses.

Service was prompt, polite, and cursory. Our server spent most of the time in the kitchen, audibly giving directions for a catering job later in the evening. We were definitely left with the feeling that tea is not the primary (or indeed, even the secondary) business for this cafe. Nevertheless, we look forward to returning to sample more of the wonderful food.

Tea Room Review: Renaissance Garden Cafe

2006-03-29T06:44:00.000-08:00

URL: http://www.inessa.com/index2.html
Address: 5201 W. Lovers Lane Dallas, TX
Phone: 214-366-7770
Hours: Th-Sat, 2-4pm
Price: $20
Reservations recommended.

Rating: 4.25 out of 5 teacups
Ambiance: 4
Service: 4
Food: 4
Tea: 5

Located in the upscale Inessa Stewart antique shop, this tea room provides a high quality experience in lovely, unique settings. Everything from the china to the table and chairs at which you sit exudes elegant refinement - and are for sale. Perfect for a quiet, upscale, quality tea

The sandwiches are consistently imaginative, if not always a hit. Fillings are presented in unusual container such as tiny puff pastries and tart shells - a welcome departure for the adventurous. Each selection appears to be a tiny work of art almost too pretty to eat, like the salmon mousse, piped into a puff pastry and topped with a miniature mound of caviar. While the scones are a bit dry, the tea bread is wonderfully fresh and delicious, served with clotted cream, jam, and a lovely lemon curd. The selection of desserts is as varied as the sandwiches and just as tasty - definitely a source of creativity for the chef.

The tea is outstanding quality loose leaf with new varieties added regularly - Nicholas II and Silver Jasmine are both exceptional. Patrons may choose only one tea, but each guest gets an individual pot and sharing is encouraged. A tea menu is provided along with a very professional and detailed overview of the tea selections (that includes such useful bits as which teas are best with milk) of each variety by the server.

Service is attentive but varies depending on the server - some of the wait staff is quiet and efficient while others are more boisterous. The manager always checks in regularly without being intrusive, leaving you with the feeling that you are being attended to without being hovered over. The only distraction from the otherwise elegant surroundings is the occasional shopper that wanders through looking for the perfect addition to their home.

TeaGrrl

2006-03-18T16:24:00.000-08:00

Texas Tea Shoot

2005-08-31T08:34:00.000-07:00

We decided to hold a Southern Tea - and what better place to do it than a gun range! Our three safety instructors (John, Charlie, and Don) did a GREAT job of teaching us the ropes and bringing loads of pistols for us to try out. Next time we hope to try some clay shooting with shotguns. The food was a Southern twist on tea...and delicious!

Tea: Sweet, iced Lipton

Food (by course):
Biscuits with butter, honey, and pecan fried chicken, cucumber cups with potato salad and paprika, crostini with cajun crab spread, ham salad in sweet corn muffins
Cranberry tea bread, orange date scones, clotted cream, lemon curd, 3 kinds of jam
Hummingbird cake, cream puffs, fruit tarts, chocolate tarts, cheese cake tarts.

Dress: Casual

Attendence: 5 + 3 instructors

Gift: Cowboy boot cookie cutter, safety glasses, ear plugs, 50 cal brass with "Texas Tea Shoot" on the side, and a praline

Recipe for Concentrated Tea Syrup (by Sherri)
Ingredients:
4 quarts of water
1 cup of loose tea leaves
5 cups of sugar
Instructions:
Bring water to a boil. Add tea leaves. Return water to a rolling boil. Remove from heat, cover, and let sit for at least 20 minutes.
Measure sugar into a large bowl. Strain tea mixture into sugar (Sherri suggests putting a cloth in the strainer to make sure that no dregs get into the sugar). Stir until sugar is dissolved. Pour mixture into a pitcher, let cool, then refridgerate.
To use tea syrup, add 1/2 inch of syrup, water, and ice to an iced tea glass.