Lady Mendl's Tea-Irving Place in NYC

Lady Mendl’s Tea Room
56 Irving Place (near Union Square)
212-452-2222

This space is a bit hard to find. It is a around the corner from the W hotel. If you do not know, it is in a non-descript brownstone with a small silver plaque of a teapot by the front door. Very warm and inviting entrance with softly lit candles and welcoming smells after coming in from the cold outside. I was walked over to the back into a very cute intimate space. I was seated my table for one.

Five Course afternoon tea $35 and my server Sahar was excellent and very attentive. I decided to be daring and choose the Karigane Kukicha which is described as a twiggy green tea that has the smell of the ocean and can come across bitter. I loved it! I did not need any cream or sugar to drink it.

First course was a simple salad of several lettuces, corn, tomato, cucumber lightly dressed in olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

Second course was a choice of four finger sandwiches (requests for seconds was honored)
Smoked salmon with cream cheese served on pumpernickel bread, smoked turkey with cranberry on brioche bread, goat cheese with sun dried tomato on seven grain bread and finally cucumber slices with mint crème fraiche on brioche bread. I enjoyed the cucumber sandwich and goat cheese sandwiches the best to ask for seconds. All are very small portions, crusts are cut off, and the bread is a bit dry. You can tell it was pre-done but not bad.

The third course consisted of scones one traditional and cranberry raisin scones served with raspberry preserves and clotted cream. Typical of scones very dry and crumbly the clotted cream was hard to spread but still great and the raspberry preserves was typical.
The fourth course was the first dessert which is a crepe layer cake filled with French vanilla cream with a side of fresh berries dusted with powered sugar. It was divine!
The fifth course was the second dessert was a Belgian chocolate dipped strawberry and assorted petit fours.

Service is included with the food bill so you don’t have to add anything more. My 1:30 seating was done by 3pm and it was not overly slow or rushed. There are only two seating times and I was happy to finally come here as I had always been batting zero trying to get a tea appointment the prior times.

The restroom was by the rear room and I loved the Penhaligon brand Quercus Lotion and hand wash gel. Light clean scent from this lotion and I wanted to buy it! The bathroom is very clean and quaint with excellent thick hand paper towels to wipe your hands and fit the décor of the whole place which I liked. The Lady Mendel’s Tea Room is ensconced in the Irving Inn.
8.5 forks out of 10 forks

Lady Mendl's pics (are in this album with Extra Virgin as well)

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=20404&l=3c8ad&id=575810425

Afternoon Tea at L'Espalier

This past weekend, I went to one of my fave places for afternoon tea---L'Espalier. Now their days are numbered in this old space before they move to their new digs next year. I have to come to this cozy location and I LOVE it!

I took my friend Jea Hee (before she heads back to Korea) by the end of the month. First off she will be in London and Paris before heading over to Europe. I cannot believe I met her on the plane heading to Boston. Over six months later, she is heading back. This was her first time having afternoon tea. She got the "Make Way for Ducklings" (Petit fours, pastry and tea $27-L'espalier Swan, Blueberry Terrine, Cherry Tart, Chocolate Decandence Cake, Cherry Raisen Scone, Strawberry dipped in Chocolate) and I got the "Three Blind Mice" ($30 award winning cheese plate---off the website--with the traditional accompaniments). Since I tried a fromage tower in Sonoma this past trip, I wanted to try the famous cheeses that L'Espalier has available. She got the Oolong Jade tea and I got the Elderberry Nectar Herbal tea (which was very nice, light and did not need anything to sweeten it).

I must say they were very good and it makes sense to eat counter clockwise from mildest to strongest in flavor, scent and the different textures were interesting. My Cheese person did not mark off #1 so I am not sure what it was. I enjoyed all the cheese choices actually. Some were strong but very good paired with the bread, pinenuts in honey were lovely or dried fruits were lovely. Now I understand why there are accompaniments.

#2-Coupole --Websterville Vermont, #3 Pecorina Ginepro--Emilia-Romagna, Italy

#4 Epoisse De Bourgogne--Burgundy, France (Brined), #5 Gouda (aged 5 years) Holland, #6 Bayley Hazen--Greensboro, Vermont

It was lovely to try. If you wanted to buy some for your home, L'espalier does offer the cheeses to go.

10 forks out of 10 forks

*www.lespalier.com

*Recently the head chef was listed on the James Beard Foundation Best Northeast Chef for 2007 and he has gained Best New Chef in Food Wine Magazineas well as "Fine Dining Hall of Fame".

(website source) This restaurant will be moving from this cozy location in the future, to it while it is still at this location! It has been the site of many celebrations, wedding proposals etc.

Chef/Proprietor: Frank McClelland
Chef de Cuisine: James Hackney
Mâitre d’: Louis Risoli
Wine Director: Erik Johnson
Location: In the heart of fashionable Back Bay, in an 1880 townhouse on the corner of Newbury and Gloucester Street, one block from the Hynes Convention Center, Prudential Center and Copley Place. Walking distance to Symphony Hall, Berklee Performance Center and major colleges and universities. CuisineSophisticated and modern New England-French cuisine, with an emphasis on artisanal and New England ingredients.

LunchThree course Prix Fixe Menu $24.00á la carte also available DinnerThree course Prix Fixe Menu $75.00Seven course Degustation Tasting Menu $94.00Seven course Degustation Vegetable Menu $75.00Chef’s Tasting Menu $175.00Setting

Front Room: L’Espalier’s largest dining room with a color scheme of taupe and cream. With its carved marble fireplace, luxurious plasterwork, and views overlooking Gloucester Street, it has a feeling of classic elegance. A mirrored mantle and simple black and white photography accent this light-filled room.Salon: L’Espalier’s Salon dining room has a truffle and cream color scheme and offers an intimate setting for two or a lovely dining option for private events. With an over stuffed banquette, stylized fireplace, and sparkling chandelier, the Salon offers diners a more private dining alternative.Library:The Library, on L’Espalier’s third floor offers a pleasant alternative to the subdued color schemes of the Front Room and Salon. With salmon colored walls, mahogany woodwork, and another beautifully sculpted mantle, the Library exudes warmth. Tables overlook Gloucester Street and the surrounding rooftops.

Earl Grey Manor Tea Salon-Old Town Sacramento 6.29.07

chilled beet soup

close up of the finger sandwiches-variety with quiche slice
fresh seasonal fruit with the devonshire cream and jam

Earl Grey Manor Tea Salon (916 2nd St, Sacramento, CA 95814(916) 447-4832) located a few steps away from the Rail Road Museum in Old Town Sacramento is the only place to I found to get afternoon tea in that area.

Traditional Afternoon Tea-Seatings Between 1 p.m. & 3 p.m.
Deco Tea$17.95: Our Traditional Afternoon Tea: Fresh Baked Sweet Scone of the Day With Jam & Devon Cream, Assorted Tea Sandwiches & Savories, Seasonal Fruit, and Sweet SinSations

I loved this treasure of a tea salon! I was hot and tired and needed a nice respite. I was visiting the city for a convention. Lo and behold when I was feeling thirsty I found this cute tea salon. I loved the sign outside, once I walked in I fell in love. The cute art deco tea sets, the little nooks for Indian and Japanese areas were cute. I ended up choosing the Japanese nook. The server was extremely friendly, helpful in giving tidbits and advice, and the food was great!

I tried the Organic Rooibos- Natural Rich in essential minerals with a mild, aromatic sweetness as I was told it was excellent iced. I liked it and I did not need any sugar. Once I was ready to leave, the server generously gave me a full empty cup to take away! Very thoughtful and very kind of her!

I got the treat of the chilled beet buttermilk soup (turned pink due to the beets) an interesting soup but excellent! It was a refreshing change from gazpacho as one familiar chilled soup served in the summer. From the crustless sandwiches, to the fresh fruit, quiche and scone I enjoyed the high quality of the food served there!

I love afternoon tea and it is a habit I got in college. Now whenever I can, I try to get it. Sacramento is lucky to have this cute tea place! The prices were affordable, decor was cute and the food and service excellent! I wish this business much succes and I wish I was closer to visit this place again!

9 forks out of 10 forks