Not Your Grandma's Afternoon Tea

BY MARILYNN TURNERWINTER CAPLANSON PHOTOS

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- AT BAR PINA

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Who doesn’t like a tea party? Imagine a Saturday afternoon with your besties, sipping mint verbena tea, poured from a rose painted vintage teapot into your decorative teacup with saucer. There’s more: a three-tiered tray brimming with all kinds of mini bites of yummy foods.

And we’re not done yet! This isn’t your grandma’s tea party; it’s nostalgia with a contemporary flair at Bar Pina in the Goodwin Hotel in downtown Hartford.

According to Heather Schold, Director of Events and Sales at Porron and Pina, the idea arose in response to inquiries for bridal and baby showers.

“We looked at the space in Bar Pina and thought it would be a really cool vibe as well as something fun to add in. We figured we could put our own twist on

it, keep some traditional components, but also make it a bit less formal.”

Heather collaborated with executive pastry chef Kristin Eddy. The duo did some research and came up with their own concept for Afternoon Tea. The idea is loosely based on a formal tea, with sandwiches and small bites, scones, and pastries and small sweets, and of course, tea - but that’s where the similarities end.

Upon arrival, you and your party are seated in one of the cozy sofa-and-twochairs groupings, around a low table anchored by an oriental rug which defines the seating areas. The eclectic mix of unmatched vintage china is a cool contrast to the contemporary napkins and flatware arranged on the table. There’s soft jazzy music in the background, just enough to create a relaxed mood without impeding conversation.

“THE ECLECTIC

MIX OF

UNMATCHED

VINTAGE

CHINA IS A COOL CONTRAST

TO THE CONTEMPORARY

NAPKINS AND FLATWARE.

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Once seated, you’ll receive a printed menu with the day’s offerings and will be told of the tea offerings, including English breakfast, Earl Gray, hot cinnamon, mint verbena and Paris floral - all Harney and Sons Gourmet Teas. You also have the option of a glass of champagne or a mimosa. And then, the magic happens: a three-tiered tray laden with goodies is brought to your table, followed by your pot of tea which is poured, then left on a warming burner.

On the bottom tray, there’s an assortment of savory sandwiches and deviled eggs. The sandwiches are lox on an everything bagel with cream cheese; a very tasty triple-layered cucumber sandwich with pickled red onion and herb cheese on rye bread; and a smoked turkey with cheddar and apple chutney on focaccia.

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The second tray has three types of mini scones: cinnamon sour cream, vanilla peach, and honey lavender. Topped with the house-made lemon curd, clotted cream, and jam, they are too delicious to describe.

And finally, the top and the smallest tray is a treasure of delightful dessert bites, including chocolate hazelnut cream puffs, assorted donut holes, tiny buttermilk orange almond cake, the sweetest looking white chocolate earl grey tea cake, and the pastry chef’s choice cookie. Most items can be eaten in two to three bites - the accompaniment to your cup of tea.

Chef Eddy said, “We want food and pastries that people can make a connection to, but at an elevated level. Our connection to food creates an experience, and we often associate memories with food.”

She commented that she and her talented pastry staff have full reign over the menu and enjoy creating items that offer a modern twist on the traditional. It also allows the pastry staff to showcase their talent and expertise by venturing into the territory of more savory fare. She added that the menu will change regularly, allowing for rotation and creativity.

“

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A great place to gather with friends or family for a fun, cozy afternoon out, tea at Pina is appealing to people of all ages.

Pina will serve afternoon tea on the first Saturday of every month, by reservation only. The next tea is July 13, at 1:30 p.m. and the cost per person is $35, or $45 if you want to have champagne or a mimosa. Director of Events and Sales Schold said that private events and celebrations can also be booked.

Bar Pina is located in the Goodwin Hotel at 1 Haynes Street in Hartford.

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POT

WHICH IS POUR ON A WAR

“AND THEN, TH

A THREE-

WITH

IS BROUGH

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E MAGIC HAPPENS:

TIERED TRAY LADEN

GOODIES

T TO YOUR TABLE,FOLLOWED BY YOUR

OF TEA

ED, THEN LEFT

MING BURNER.

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