Tea Room Review: Serenitea

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

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

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

Cool diamond drips slide
Sparkling mirrored light plays
Serenity in glass

Superstitious minds...

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

DFW Tea Readers Group

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

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)

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

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

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)

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)

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

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)

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)

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

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)

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

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

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

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

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

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