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TEA in TEXAS A FRESH LOOK ON UNIQUE TRAVEL
• Holiday Mint • Swinging Door does Tea • Tea & Flu Season NOV / DEC 2009
$3.95
Historical Events | Health Briefs | Community Calendar
contents Lee Q. Garcia Publisher, Editor in Chief Sylvia Quinones Circulation Director Liubov Grinshteyn Graphic Designer Contributing Writers: Julie Dern Thia McKann Stephanie Miller Archana Pyatt Penny Ward Photos: Bella Bruk Gerry Reeves Photography by Gerald Norma Wilson Istock.com Dallas Advertising Coordinator A lovely vintage table in The Peacock Room
Stephanie Miller sgmskm@gmail.com 214-534-4865 To become apart of our upcoming issue, please call TEA-922-9335 or email: info@teaintexas.com Published By-Monthly By: TEA IN TEXAS MEDIA, LLC 10878 Westheimer Rd., #115 Houston, Texas 77042 Sales: sales@teaintexas.com Website: teaintexas.com Phone: 832-922-9335 Fax: 281-679-7877
holiday fun
where to visit
good things
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Making Your Holiday Merry
Screen Door, Dallas
Growing Up with Tea
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Tips for a Holiday Buffet
Dickens On The Strand, Galveston
Tea & Flu Season
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Holiday Blends
Weekend in Alvin
Holiday Tablescapes
Yearly Subscriptions are $18. Additional or back issues are available online or by calling the TEA in TEXAS office for $3.95 a copy. Tea in Texas copyrighted 2009. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use without our written permission of articles, editorial or pictorial content in any manner is prohibited. Please note that Tea in Texas has made reasonable efforts to verify the information within. Editorial and advertising do not assume responsibility for false or misleading information. Options expressed are not necessarily the views of the publisher. We encourage you to support our local businesses and say heard about them from Tea in Texas Magazine. By submitting Images/Articles to Tea in Texas Media you grant the magazine the rights to said material for any commercial use without further consideration.
tea calendar
November 6 (Grand Opening) Village Tea Company, Dallas The online retailer whose teas have quickly caught on with celebrities, opens its first tea retreat this month in Dallas. Located in the upscale Preston Forest Village, the Tea Retreat promises to be an urban oasis offering an escape from external pressures and the usual coffee shop hustle. It will feature a lovely selection of teas, and a “tea sniffer” area where customers can experience the scent and color of the teas as well as read a little about each variety. Tea lattes are the specialty beverage, pastries are from the trendy La Duni, salads, sandwiches, handmade crepes and panini round out the menu. Preston Forest Village, 11661 Preston Road, Suite 210, Dallas, Texas 75243.
November 15th 2-5pm All About Chocolate Tea Party The Cultured Cup - Dallas Inspired by Lisa Boalt Richardson’s recent book Tea with a Twist and hosted by beloved Cultured Cup employee Kelly Carr, this party will conclude our series of tea parties from her book this year. Pamper yourself and friends with tea and chocolate delights at The Cultured Cup and learn how to throw your own tea and chocolate epicurean adventure. Richardson’s book will be available for purchase at The Cultured Cup. Please call us at to reserve your spots. Cost: $25 for ages 13 and up; $12 for ages 12 and under
vanilla apple cinnamon spice, cranberry spice, peach cinnamon hibiscus and Earl Gray. The cost is $35 per person, and reservations are required. Call 214-5156610. November 30 3pm Tea Tasting Competition – Tea Thyme & Tisane In conjunction with Candlelight Christmas in old downtown Carrollton. Guests will taste a selection of fine teas and try to guess what kind each one is. Here’s a little hint: we know that Charles’ favorite is jasmine and Tea Thyme & Tisane also serves a fabulous apricot iced tea. Winners in the competition will receive lovely prizes such as tea cups, and tea. To learn more about old downtown Carrollton, visit www.olddowntowncarrollton.com. Tea Thyme & Tisane at 214-483-2888. December 13 Tea With Someone Special - Into My Garden Tea Room, Plano Promising to be a very special holiday memory, the event features a menu that is “child-friendly for the little guests and absolutely delectable for adult guests,” says Owner Sue Nagy. Plus, a visit from the jolly old elf himself. There are multiple seating times throughout the day. For Tea with Santa Claus, reservations are required. Call 469-360-5821 or visit www. intomygarden.com.
Central Texas
November 21 and 22 Holiday Home Tour in Plano Looking for inspiration in your holiday decorating? Take a peek into four exquisite Plano homes, all dressed up for the holidays, in the American Association of University Women’s 32nd Annual Holiday Home tour in Plano on November 21 and 22, from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are $15 in advance or $17 at the homes. Locations for advance ticket sales include Nooks ‘n Krannies in downtown Plano, Heart’s Desire in Frisco, A Rare Find in Plano, Imadgen Designs in Frisco and Stacy Furniture in Allen. For information, please visit aauwplanocollin.org or call Carol Crawford at 972-862-7460.
November 5-15th Historic Holiday Tea, Austin austinjuniorforum.org Austin Junior Forum invites all generations to visit the Historic Caswell House for the 25th Annual MotherDaughter Tea, a long and cherished history at the Christmas at Caswell House Event. To kick off the festivities, the historic Daniel H. Caswell House will host the annual Mother-Daughter Tea from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. each day. More info at 512-740-5466.
November 27 – December 21 Holiday Tea, DeGolyer Garden Café & Tea Room at Dallas Arboretum. It begins with tomato basil soup with cheese wafer, followed by tea sandwiches and ending with tarts, shortbread, cookies and scones served with strawberry jam and clotted cream. Tea choices will include
What is Yunnan? Why is it considered the “mocha” of teas? What does Yunnan tea taste like? Complimentary samples of select Yunnan teas all day long and information about this region of tea in China. All Yunnan Teas -10% OFF teatreasures.com
November 20nd - Yunnan Tea Day 10:00 am-6:00 pm Tea Embassy, Austin
november - december 2009 | www.teaintexas.com
greater dallas
Take Time for Tea
...this holiday season
November Special:
Pot of Tea & Dessert $5.99 Chocolate Angel Cafe & Tea Room 635 W Campbell Rd Richardson TX
972.234.8099
www.chocolateangel.com
Dallas Sereni’Tea Loose Leaf Certified Organic Tea Black Green
Red Herbal
Flowering
Serving Greater Dallas Area Call or Email for Complete Catalog and Pricing
214-315-0532
clarissaalicia@yahoo.com
south texas
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www.teaintexas.com | november - december 2009
houston
Premium Loose Teas Black, Green,White, Herbal
Aromatherapy Bath Salts, Bath Teas, Candles, Essential Oils, Potpourri, Soaps, Home Fragrance
Gourmet & Gifts
713.783.9737 toll free: 866.448.9737 www.CrossroadsCollection.com Retail Store Now Open! Old Town Spring, TX Behind Doll Hospital
Texas Specialtea Shoppe Gourmet Coffee, Teas & Fine Pastries Cakes and Pies Belgian Waffles & French Toast On Weekends!
Specialteas:
Bridal Showers / Baby Showers Birthdays / Anniversaries & Other Private Part-Teas Relax On The Porch, Dine-In Or Take-Out Serving Light Lunches Natural, Wooded Walking Trails Mention this ad for a complimentary cup of tea or coffee Clark
FM 362 Reids Prairie
FM 362
Field Store
FM 1488 Magnolia U.S. 290
26734 Clark Road, Waller / 936.372.0097
tea inquiries
TEA Q&A
tea inquiries
Many of my tea-drinking friends are also avid readers. As unique holiday gifts, I wanted to give them a gift that combines their love of reading with their love of drinking tea. What would you suggest?
I am planning a trip to London this holiday season. I will only have one opportunity to have Afternoon Tea, and I want it to be at the best possible place. Can you please make a suggestion?
Ah, a good book and a steaming cup of tea - add some tea biscuits and you have complete bliss! There is romance, adventure, murder, mystery, sorrow and joy - all brewing along with your cuppa! I, too, am an avid reader and love books that use the world of tea as their setting – historical, fictional, and spiritual. I have compiled a list of purely fictional works that somehow impart to the reader some knowledge of the world of tea (please keep in mind that some titles may be out of print). One of the most popular is a series called “A Tea Shop Mystery” by Laura Childs with over ten titles. For a complete list of my favorite tea fiction, please visit www.SereniteaTeaRoom.com and go to the Gift Shop tab and click on “Steeped in Mystery and Romance” to begin your adventure! A call to all those kindred spirits - please let me know if you have read any books that I can add to our this list!
In lieu of my personal opinion (since, in all fairness, I have not visited each and every tea room in London), I would like to offer you The UK Tea Council’s winner of the Tea Guild’s Top London Afternoon Tea 2009 Award - The English Tea Room at Brown’s Hotel - “for the best place in London to enjoy a sumptuous afternoon tea.” The event, now in its 24th year, is the “Michelin star” of the tea world, with world-famous London hotels and tea rooms competing for the coveted honor. The following is an excerpt from the UK Tea Council’s review of The English Tea Room at Brown’s Hotel: Opened in 1837 and London’s oldest luxury five-star hotel, Brown’s was voted into the top spot after its English Tea Room gained a near perfect score from The Tea Guild’s anonymous inspectors. The judges praised it for its cleanliness, attractive crockery, friendly, welcoming and efficient staff and an excellent selection of scones, sandwiches and cakes. When it came to the tea itself, once again Brown’s passed with flying colours. Not only was there an excellent selection of teas, but the inspectors praised the staff’s in-depth knowledge of each tea offered as well as the menu in which the teas were “beautifully described” and with “the reverence attached to a wine list.” Each year the judge’s task of choosing a winner becomes even more challenging as standards continue to reach new levels and this year’s London competition was no exception! As a result, The UK Tea Council has awarded twelve special Awards of Excellence in recognition of their outstanding quality and consistently high standards in tea service to the following: • Claridge’s • Grosvenor House Park Room • “Tea” at Liberty • The Athenaeum • The Chesterfield • The Dorchester • The Goring • The Lanesborough • The Milestone • The Park Lane Hotel • The Ritz • The Wolseley •
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Archana Pyatt is a true tea enthusiast. Her passion for tea has served as a platform for writing, traveling and finally opening her own tea room. Serenitea Tea Room, located in Sugarland, TX is not only a place for lunch and Afternoon Tea but also a venue to share the knowledge of tea and all things related.
www.teaintexas.com | november - december 2009
houston
south texas
COME FOR TEA
Tea House Guide For South East Texas Houston and Surrounding Areas METRO HOUSTON
DISCLAIMER- This is a sampling of Tea Businesses in the area, and not intended to be complete. To be included in future lists, call TEA-922-9335
SOUTHEAST TEXAS
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1
Blisswood Cat Springs, TX 713-301-3235
2
Brendan Manor LaGrange, TX 979-968-2028
3
Café M. Bloomers Navasota, TX 936-870-3277
4
Charleston Tea Room Friendwood, TX 281-992-8327
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Ellen's Café Spring, TX 281-353-9229
6
Fontenot Grand Mansion Spring, TX 281-355-8961
7
Four Friends Tea Room Pearland,TX 281-485-6484
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Front Parlor Galveston, Texas 409-762-0224
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9 10
Queens Quirky Kitchen League City, TX 281-557-5555
20 Rachel's Cottage League City, TX 281-557-4433
Hope Village Friendswood, TX 281-482-6271
21 The Secret Garden Hempstead, TX 979-921-0005
11 Idyl Hours Tea Room Cypress, TX 281-370-2626
12 Jeannie Ann's Tea Room La Porte, TX (281) 867-4600 13 Lagniappe Bay City, TX 979-244- 3538 14 Le Gourmet Bistro Tomball, TX 281-255-4223 15 Mad Hatter TR & Boutique Caldwell,TX 77836 877-811-1965
16 The Milk Pail Alvin, TX 281-585-6932 17 Nana's Attic League City, TX 281-554-8199 The Pear Tree Pearland,TX 281-485-1697 Purple Turtle Coffee & Tea La Porte, TX 281-470-6595
22 Serenitea Sugarland, TX 281-491-4588
www.teaintexas.com | november - december 2009
23 Silver Sycamore Pasadena, TX 281-487-4033
27 Teapot Depot Highlands, TX 281-426-3670
31 White Flamingo Spring,TX 291-907-0778
24 Southern Magnolia TR Orange, TX 409-883-4144
28 Tremont House Hotel Galveston, Texas 409-763-0300
NEW! --------------------
25 Tea for Two Houston, TX 281-855-1118
29 Vintage Garden Tea House Montgomery, TX 936-597-4004
26 Tea Cake French Bakery Houston, TX 281-893-6869
30 Whistle Stop Tomball, TX 281-255-2455
A B C
Boutique Botanica Katy, TX 281-574-4999 By George Tea Room Angleton, TX 979-235-0035 The Mustard Seed Baytown, TX 281-422-7100
Liubov Grinshteyn
teadesign@gmail com
DESIGN • logos • brochures • websites • ads • labels •
Savor the Flavor of Alvin Texas THE MILK PAIL TEA ROOM & RESTAURANT For an authentic homecooked meal Located in
THE ALVIN ANTIQUE MALL where you can also shop for historical treasures and collectibles hi
POST MASTER: PLEASE EXPEDITE TIME SENSITIVE MATERIAL
2500 S. Loop 35 • Alvin, Texas 7751 • Phone: (281) 388-0537