OTHER PLACES FOR AFTERNOON TEA
GRAND LUX CAFE: This mega-restaurant serves afternoon tea with
open-face tea sandwiches, scones with Devonshire cream and lemon curd,
assorted pastries and petit fours. The tea selections feature Earl Grey,
chamomile and peppermint. Daily from 3 to 5 p.m. 13420 Dallas Parkway
(at the Galleria). 972-385-3114. $15.95.
LA DUNI: Both locations of the Latin cafe and bakery offer three-tier food service, but the teas cost extra. The three courses include
finger sandwiches, canapés, scones, baked goods and pastries. The chef
selects the courses for parties with fewer than 12 guests. Those with more than 12 can
create their own menu. $15 for classic service; $21 for imperial service
with more food offerings.
• Daily from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at 4264 Oak Lawn. 214-520-6888.
• Tuesdays through Sundays from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at 4620 McKinney Ave.
214-520-7300.
LAVENDOU: The French restaurant actually serves an English tea,
and it's a nice value. There are several varieties of tea, finger
sandwiches, scones, jams and mini pastries. Mondays through Fridays from
2 to 5 p.m. 19009 Preston. 972-248-1911. $14.95.
THE SECRET GARDEN TEA ROOM: Afternoon tea includes finger
sandwiches, scones with cream and jam, and tea breads and pastries
served on a three-tiered platter. Loose-leaf tea is served by the pot.
Mondays through Fridays from 2 to 3 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays 2 to 4
p.m. Inside the Montgomery Street Antique Mall, 2601 Montgomery St.,
Fort Worth. 817-763-9787. $9.95.
WONDERFUL WORLD CAFE: The cafe offers homemade tea sandwiches,
scones with whipped cream and jam and assorted sweets. Mondays through
Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Preston Center, 6023 Sherry Lane.
214-750-0382. $12.95.
TEA EVENT
Bonnie Itzig, owner of Globex America, and 62 Main chef
David McMillan pair up for "Pinkies Up! It's Tea Time." The program will educate all ages on teas as well as tea service,
etiquette (the pinkie should be down) and things to serve at
home tea parties. March 25 from
2 to 5 p.m. 62 Main St., Colleyville. 817-605-0858. $25, or $40 for two.
— T.E.
When you're ready for a relaxing afternoon, here are some places to sit and sip
By Toni Edwards / The Dallas Morning News
Afternoon tea is in fashion again, and spring is when tea season heats
up.
While some teatimers mark the tradition in formal attire, including
white gloves and pearls, many of today's afternoon sippers go casual.
And even if you're not gathering for a graduation party or a bridal
shower, anytime is a good time for friends (men as well as women) to
catch up over an aromatic cup and a finger sandwich or two.
Many afternoon teas are offered by reservation only, so you will need to
call at least 24 hours in advance for small groups. More notice is
required for larger parties.
Here's our primer to what's brewing. Prices listed are per person.
Darnell Renee / Special to DMN
Taylor White, Trisha Schmitt, Stephanie McDonald and Jenny Miller have tea at the Adolphus.
It's a grand experience in a grand atmosphere. The Adolphus hotel has
been hosting formal teas in its lobby since 1981. At tables covered with
white Italian linen, fine china and silver, the service is fit for a
queen. In fact, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip had tea at the
hotel during their visit in May 1991. Last year, the Duke and Duchess of
Gloucester were among its patrons, and actresses Julie Andrews and
Heather Locklear have taken tea here, too. Although tea at the Adolphus
is treated by many as a formal affair, there is no dress code. Tea
captain Michele McCreary serves a traditional three-course tea with
finger sandwiches, scones and pastries. (Tea cookies are served as a
starter; champagne can be added.) Sandwiches include cucumber, egg
salad, vine-ripened tomato and toasted rye point with asparagus cream
cheese. Scones are served with homemade Devonshire cream and seasonal
jams. Assorted pastries include petit fours, fresh fruit tarts, truffles
and mini éclairs.
• Thursdays through Sundays starting at 3 p.m. 1321 Commerce. 214-742-8200. $35.
Arlington Hall at Lee Park
Tea service here is made to order by reservation only for parties of
eight or more in one of the historic hall's grand settings. While the
Great Hall and the Dallas Room can accommodate large groups, the Lee
Room is smaller and cozy, with comfy chairs and couches and a fireplace.
The tea manager is Susanne Johnson, a former manager at Lady Primrose's
at the Hotel Crescent Court. The traditional afternoon tea includes
watercress, tomato and egg salad sandwiches; scones with clotted cream
and strawberry jam; and miniature pastries. The food is delicate, and
Ms. Johnson says it is intended to be eaten using the hands. Arrangement
is important at each stage of teatime, from sandwiches to desserts. "I
like how the colors of the sandwiches just jump off the plate," she
says. "My favorite part is when the pastries come out on the middle of
the table." Patrons are "just wowed by it," she adds. Tea menus include
the Magnolia Tea (with Southern favorites), Unbridled Tea (with
cosmopolitans and tiny quiche tartlets) and Squire's Supper (with hearty
roast beef). The children's tea is served with hot chocolate, milk or
apple juice; peanut butter and jelly sandwiches; and oatmeal cookies.
• Scheduled to accommodate guests. 3333 Turtle Creek Blvd. 214-520-8611.
www.arlingtonhallatleepark.com. $30 to $40; children's tea $20.
Milton Hinnant / DMN
Holly Gordon (standing) of Angela's Bistro 51 describes the afternoon's offerings to (from left) Becky Shawn of Tyler, Suzanne McWilliams of Van and Libby Turner of Coppell.
Owner Angela Gordon opened the bistro in October 2004 in the former
Rosebud location in Uptown's State-Thomas neighborhood. Ten different
teas are offered, and the menu includes sandwiches, scones, bite-size
desserts, pâtés and canapés. The signature dish here is a cheddar heart
with strawberry dip and crackers. Sandwiches include chicken salad,
smoked salmon, parsley and bacon, goat cheese, egg salad, pimento cheese
and watercress. "I love to do teas, and it's really becoming more
popular in restaurants now," says Ms. Gordon. "We did a lot of research
on it, and it's a great tradition." The tea service features the owner's
extensive collection of antique china, and guests can mix and match the
patterns.
• Wednesdays through Saturdays from 2 to 5 p.m. 2701 Guillot. 214-979-0051. www.angelasbistro51.com. $18.50.
Cafe Danielle
Owner Cynthia Cathcart offers a cozier setting for either an informal or
formal afternoon. The teas are from Tea Forté, which uses silken tea
infuser bags. Special little tea bag holders add a nice touch. Dainty
finger sandwiches are served first, followed by scones with cream and
strawberry margarita jam. The service ends with dessert pastries and
mini chocolate cakes. The cafe has a collection of attractive teapots
and antique cups and saucers. Some of the silver dates to 1890s London.
• Times can be arranged Mondays through Saturdays. 5120 W. Lovers Lane.
214-741-2244. $25.
City Cafe
The tea captain here is Manuel Adame, formerly of the Adolphus. Mr.
Adame is known for using phrases such as "my lovely" and "my lady,"
making guests feel special. He also makes recommendations for teas such
as chocolate mint truffle, orange dulce and the relaxing chamomile
citron to accompany specific courses. The tea begins with the house
specialty of boysenberry-passion fruit iced tea. The first course
features sandwiches (apple Waldorf chicken salad, cucumber, smoked
salmon and chopped egg with fresh spinach). The second course is dried
fruit scones with cream and marmalades, and the third course is mini
pastries and desserts.
• Thursdays through Sundays from 3 to 5 p.m. 5757 W. Lovers Lane.
214-351-2233. www.citycafedallas.com. $25.
File 2005 / DMN
Lavender House Tea Room and Decor Gallery offers a wide selection of loose-leaf teas for sale.
Marsha and Dane Yarbrough opened the tearoom and gift and accessories
boutique in 2004. Here, customers can enjoy an afternoon of tea, learn
about tea or make a purchase from the 100 loose-leaf teas in silver tins
lining a wall of shelves. The tearoom is French-style with black and
white decor, lots of chandeliers and a baby grand piano. The afternoon
tea menu offers several choices, including the Grand Tea, which comes
with a three-tiered platter of finger sandwiches (pimento cheese, egg
salad, tuna salad and chicken salad), muffins and scones, pastries and
cheesecake and brownie bites. The Royal Tea is the same as above but
with champagne or wine. There's also a light tea with fewer offerings, a
cream tea (with scones and cream) and a children's tea.
• Mondays through Saturdays from 2 to 5 p.m. 2821 Craig Drive, McKinney.
214-726-0777. www.lavenderhousetearoom.com. $12.95 to $24; children's tea $9.95.
Dallas Arboretum
The highlight of this spring's Dallas Blooms is the Eiffel Flower, a
15-foot wooden model of the Eiffel Tower set on a 5-foot topiary adorned
with thousands of flowers at the base. While the arboretum's floral
festival may have a French touch, afternoon tea at the newly renovated
Alex Camp House is served traditional English style. The three-course
tea (for ages 13 and older) includes broth, finger sandwiches and
pastries.
• Mondays through Fridays through April 13 (except April 7) at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. 8525
Garland Road. 214-515-6622. www.dallasarboretum.org. $30.95, including arboretum admission and preferred parking.
Mack Yarbrough
Maudee's, a cozy restaurant on Lovers Lane, features elegant place settings at teatime.
Mack and Sharon Yarbrough (no relation to the Yarbroughs at Lavender
House) have been owners of the lunch cafe and tearoom since last summer.
Afternoon tea was added at the restaurant five years ago. It's a small
place that caters to both adults and children. For the grown-ups, the
traditional tea is three courses, starting with a sorbet, continuing
with finger sandwiches, scones and a popover, followed by dessert.
Sandwiches include chicken salad, egg salad, pimento cheese and
cucumber. The fresh scones and breads are served with cream, lemon curd
and jams. The teas are loose-leaf from Globex America, and the house tea
is boysenberry-apricot. Place settings include pink and blue Churchill
China and original Franciscan Desert Rose dishes (not used for the
kids). Children's tea features teapots with themes such as Alice in
Wonderland and teddy bears. Children's sandwiches include peanut butter
and jelly and cream cheese with raspberry jam. "We do several teas for
young people, and I like to talk to them about the tradition of the
tea," Mr. Yarbrough says. "If they don't want tea, we will make pink
lemonade and put it in a teapot, or even a Coke or Dr Pepper."
• Mondays through Saturdays from 3 to 5 p.m. 4333 Lovers Lane. 214-526-9750. www.maudees.com. $17.95; children's tea $10.95.
Published in The Dallas Morning News: 03.24.06
