Tea in Massachusetts, Part 2

In my last post, I was writing about Massachusetts-based tea vendors, cafes, and tea houses. I just realized that I omitted a shop in my original post - Beth's Special Teas in Sandwich. I have now updated the article and also added the missing photos so you might want to check that out. (And I must confess that it was not a Blogger problem with adding photos...It was a Katrina problem. User error...) ANYWAY, back to business. In this post I wanted to highlight a few places I've been for afternoon tea.

* Boston: Swan's Cafe at Boston Park Plaza Hotel is one of my special favorites. I think a big part of it is my support of the work that tea sommelier Cynthia Gold has been doing. I've always had great experiences here and it brings back good memories.

* Boxboro: As I mentioned, we said goodbye to the lovely Teapot Cafe in Boxboro this year. This is a big loss. I felt like I'd be remiss if I didn't acknowledge it.

* Concord: A place often suggested is the Colonial Inn in Concord. I've only been there for the "informal tea." It is a cozy place with a lovely feel, but I've often been disappointed by the tea itself - a box of not-very-good tea bags. I have heard that the by-reservation formal afternoon tea uses loose leaf. I haven't tried this yet. Have any of you?

* Tyngsboro: Left Bank Restaurant at Stonehedge Inn in Tyngsboro is about the only recommendation I have northwest of Boston right now. They offer a truly WONDERFUL afternoon tea. I've been several times and had great experiences.

* Wenham: Wenham Tea has a long history in the area and is a must-go for many afternoon tea lovers. Now called The Exchange at Wenham Tea Company, this establishment is run by a lovely woman named Emma Roberts. She's been making some changes to modernize their offerings (and I'm sure she's facing some resistance in the process.) It's a beautiful spot and is certainly a place that would be enjoyed as much by your mom and grandmother as by you. Afternoon tea is offered Thursday through Saturday from 2:30 to 4:15. Lunch and breakfast is also served as well as a monthly children's tea with a storyteller/performer.


New review - Dunbar Tea Shop in Sandwich
Dunbar House Tea Shop is one of those storied locations that I had dreamed about going. This converted carriage house dates back to the 1740s. The wood-paneled tea room used to be a billiards/ smoking room. There is a bright new addition with large windows, offering a second tea space, as well as a gift shop in the original building. Last autumn, when I was scouting the article for "Yankee Magazine," I knew that Dunbar would have to be on my planned tea tour. I mean, this place is listed in "The Great Tea Rooms of America." I had high hopes.

Unfortunately, my experience was not what I had hoped.

First, be aware that parking is quite limited, considering the number of tables at Dunbar. Nothing was available out front so I ran in to ask where else I could park. Not being from the area, I wanted to find out if parking in the road in front or at the building next door was legal. Sadly, when I said that the outside lot was full, the staff member I spoke with said, very rudely, "Well I don't know what to tell you." I took a deep breath and went and parked with fingers crossed. I went back in and stood at the entrance to the tea room for 10 minutes and was completely ignored. Finally someone offered to seat me and I decided to "let it go" and just enjoy my experience. I mean, this was DUNBAR! Finally!

As I mentioned previously, there are two rooms. The original, with its wood paneling, has a Colonial feel. It felt warm and steeped in history. The new room had soft beige walls, with a wall of windows overlooking the garden. The arched entrance ways added to the architectural detail. The cranberry tablecloths and high black chairs added warmth, and also a nod to its Cape Cod location. I admired the calm, serene colors and mood of the second room, but immediately noticed that sound simply bounces off the ceiling. It was incredibly loud compared to the quiet coziness of the original room.

I selected the Windsor Tea which came with sandwiches, scones, fruit bread, and desserts. They also offer an afternoon tea, a ploughman's lunch, and a selection of entrees, salads, and sandwiches. The tea is NOT included in the price. You order that separately. I don't think I've ever seen that before in an "afternoon tea" menu. (It is hard to find out much from the website. The last menu posted was from 2006 and the last newsletter was from the same year. There isn't even a mention of the new addition so it doesn't seem that anyone actually updates the site.)

The tea was served in Brown Betty-style tea pots in quilted tea cozies. I was frustrated to find that my tea cozy was worn and stained. Again, deep breath. It wasn't THAT big a deal. I had chosen the "Courtship tea" which is a black tea and ginger blend that is made on the Cape. I found the flavor pretty muted. The leaves were put in the pot loose and a strainer was provided. I was annoyed to see how battered and out of shape the strainer was.

I finally accepted that this was going to be my experience. It wasn't that anything was exceptionally bad, but everything felt as if it was just a bit off. The food on the tiers was generally fine, but it kind of looked like it had been thrown at the tiers from across the kitchen. It just didn't feel like any care had been taken in plating. The hunk of watermelon and orange slice as the fresh fruit garnish seemed like a sad attempt. None of the flavors really shone. It was all just okay. The staff really didn't make much effort to engage with me at all. It felt very perfunctory. As a result, the $20 tab seemed much too high for what was served. (Yes, I've paid far, far more for good tea. But I've also paid less for good tea...And this wasn't really a good tea.)

The whole experience actually made me pretty angry. I can tell I was really angry because it is nearly five months after the fact and I'm still irritated. I kept looking around the room at all the people who had clearly planned a visit there for a special occasion. They were dressed up and looked excited about a really nice day. I was thinking that many people had probably saved up and had waited weeks for this Dunbar experience. And I felt like they were being taken advantage of. They were going to get a half-done experience and be charged at a premium price for the "honor" of sitting in this establishment. I knew that I would have many other amazing tea experiences. Some of these people wouldn't. For some of these visitors, this was going to be their "memorable tea experience." I worried about what they would actually remember.

I'm sure I've offended more than a few readers out there. In some ways I hope that enough of you have had such amazing experiences at Dunbar that you'll prove me wrong. I hope the comments I receive will make me want to get in my car and give it another try. Any establishment can have an off day. Please let me know if my impressions don't meet your experiences. And if you haven't yet gone, don't be shy. Just make sure you demand good service and a good experience (and no stained or damaged teaware!)

End review

NOW, all that being said, I want to give one other tea tip. I've written about this place before. If you ever have the opportunity, make an appointment to visit the House of Flower Wind/Kaji Aso Studio. It is a wonderfully unique experience. The studio offers weekly Japanese tea ceremonies (by appointment) in a tea house that was installed in the basement of this downtown brownstone. This was one of my most memorable tea experiences to date. I have been planning my return ever since.


Where to go next?
As I started compiling my "next" list, I was stunned by how large it is. There are so many tea spots in the state that I haven't yet explored. Maybe in 2010 I need to stay local and see what I can find. Some of the places on my list are:

Hotels: The Taj (Boston - the old Ritz), Mandarin Oriental (Boston - newly opened), Four Seasons (Boston)

Restaurants: Upstairs on the Square (Cambridge)

Tea shops: Hallowed Herbs (Quincy), Windsor Tea (Cohasset), Special Teas (Northborough), Leah Mae's Tea House (Haverhill), Dorset Tea & Coffee (Wellesley), and Mullens Herbal Tea House (Barre)

I hope I can find some friends to join me! It looks like some fun upcoming adventures. Now I just need to keep writing to finance my tea travels. ;)

Tea in Massachusetts, Part 1

Today's blog post is the latest installment of my tea travel posts. But first - a heads up. The current issue of Yankee Magazine is about to hit newsstands. I just received my issue in the mail. In it, you will find yours truly, your dear Tea Pages friend, sharing her Top 5 New England tea spots. I'll forward a link if it goes online. Otherwise, it should hit newsstands March 2. Life's a trip! (And welcome to any new readers who are finding your way here through Yankee.)

This post focuses on tea spots in Massachusetts. I've been finding this post more difficult to put together than I expected, mostly because there are so many options. The thing that was most striking to me is how many of the Massachusetts tea shops I've reviewed in the past have now closed. In the last two years we've said goodbye to Licorice & Sloe in Newburyport (BOO HOO!), Whittard Teas, Cafe Aiello in Lowell, New Civilitea in Salem, and The Teapot Cafe in Boxboro.

But let's focus on the ones that are still here to enjoy. You'll notice slightly longer descriptions and photos for some of the Cape Cod locations. These are places I'd been planning to report on after my tea tour, but hadn't had the chance. So, I'm providing some of the most important info here. This post will cover vendors I frequent that sell loose-leaf (but do not have a storefront) and casual cafes/tea shops. Part 2 will highlight some afternoon tea spots I've visited and mention a few of the spots on my "must visit" list.

Vendors that sell loose-leaf (but do not have a cafe):
* Acton: Mark T. Wendell recently relocated to Acton from their long-time West Concord home. They have also recently acquired Grace Tea Company. In the West Concord warehouse, they didn't have a storefront, but would happily sell tea if you stopped in. (They are primarily designed for catalog and online sales.) I'm not sure if they still accommodate drop-ins in the Acton location. I would call first.
* Hopkinton: Upton Tea is a company with a phenomenal reputation and one of the weightiest tea catalogs I've ever encountered. The sheer volume of tea will make your head spin. The quality is outstanding. Again, there is no retail presence at this location; catalog and online sales only.
* Newton: Virtuous Teas is a bright, cheery shop with an excellent tea selection and helpful staff.
* Northhampton: Cooks Shop Here is a pilgrimage site for many tea lovers. I am humbled to confess that I have not yet been here. This gourmet food and tea shop was opened 35 years ago by Mary Lou Heiss and Robert Heiss (authors of the 2008 James Beard nominated "The Story of Tea".
* Somerville: Tea Zone is a bare bones store that sells fabulous tea. They also have an excellent online presence with copious amounts of information provided about each tea
* West Concord: Tea forté is headquartered in West Concord. They do not have a retail presence at this facility, but their products are available in many gift and gourmet shops in the region (and worldwide.)

Cafes and casual tea shops:

* Amherst:
Fresh Side calls itself a "little eatery & tea shop." I was completely smitten with the cozy atmosphere, the lovely Asian feel, and the fact that I could get really yummy mochi. I will definitely go for a longer stop one of these days.

* Cambridge: My first tea love, Tealuxe, is located here. Their specialty is really flavored and scented teas, but they have some really excellent ones. The contemporary atmosphere is a favorite of mine. (They also have a Boston location.)
* Falmouth: Molly's Tea Room was a great surprise. In Falmouth's busy shopping district, Molly's appears relatively unassuming from the outside with its large windows and cranberry awning. What a shock when you enter! Large black cube shelves line the wall of the entrance room, filled with teapots and cups and tea (Harney & Sons dominates.) There is a bakery display case and prep bar painted with cranberry wainscotting and a black ceiling that gives a funky vibe. The main tea space carries through with the cranberry walls highlighted by taupe wainscotting, embroidered black and white vine pattern chair cushions on black metal chairs, and oriental rugs in beige, black, cranberry, and olive. The menu has two pages of tea on the menu (Harney tea bags) with a great luncheon menu of soup, salads, and sandwiches.
* Gloucester: Pleasant Street Tea Company has become another favorite of mine. Great atmosphere, excellent tea, and really yummy food. Good stuff.
* Harvard: Alcott Restaurant and Tea Room(Fruitlands) - Contrary to its name, this is not a tea room. It is a restaurant that has some nice food, but the tea is definitely not a priority. I didn't see any evidence that they served afternoon tea or any formal tea fare. The view, however, is spectacular.
* Mashpee: The Tea Shoppe at Mashpee Commons was a wonderful surprise. Located in an upscale shopping spot amongst Pottery Barn, KM Hudson, and Vineyard Vines stores, this sunny tea spot was doing a brisk business. There was a breakfast and lunch menu with a selection of teas from Mark T. Wendell. The cheery yellow walls were decorated with vintage aprons and shelves of tea cups. I had a "bacon buttie" (a bacon sandwich on white bread) and a pot of the "Tea Shoppe blend" (a breakfast blend.) I was very pleased with the quality of my experience. The front area has retail (tea gifts, like the fabulous "Got tea?" shirt I bought, teaware, and books) and a bakery. This isn't my favorite tea shop, but I would definitely be a frequent visitor if it was nearby.
* Salem: I really liked the aforementioned/now closed New Civilitea, but there is still a tea option for residents to check out. Jaho Coffee & Tea on Derby Street has a wide selection of loose leaf and a great atmosphere.
* Sandwich: I only had a quick minute to pop into Beth's Special Teas in Sandwich. What a great spot. It had the perfect beach-y, Cape Cod feel with its painted white walls and ocean-y blue tablecloths. It was a rainy, rainy day when I went in but I could easily imagine this shop on a sunny summer day. Quaint would be a great word for this place.
Stay tuned for Part 2 where I'll talk about afternoon tea spots and some of the spots on my "to visit" list. I'll update this post with some photos soon. Blogger seems to be having a problem uploading photos and I don't want to delay any longer. I'll let you know when they're added.

Product Review - EcoFirst Copco To Go Mug

A few weeks ago I was contacted by a company called Copco to see if I was interested in reviewing one of their new products from their "Total Tea" line. I agreed as I'm always interested in checking out what's new in teaware.

I was a little surprised when I opened the package as I hadn't seen this product on the Total Tea line website. It's actually not tea-specific at all. But, since it was on the counter, I thought I'd review it for you anyway. Who doesn't need a good travel mug?

The first thing one must say about this EcoFirst To Go Mug is that you have to give them points for humor. This thing absolutely looks like a cafe to go cup. My husband and I both kept turning it over and over because it amused us completely. It is a solid white with a textured band around the center that looks like an insulation sleeve. Even the top looks like one of the typical snap-on lids.

This is actually a really good travel mug. I tested it to make black tea so I'd be using near boiling water. The exterior of the cup stayed very comfortably cool. The tea inside stayed hot for a very reasonable amount of time. I also liked that the lid actually screwed on for added security. It holds 16 ounces and is BPA free. The material that was sent with the mug noted that it is dishwasher and microwave safe.

My only criticism (and I really do mean my ONLY one) is that I tend to prefer travel mugs that can close at the top. I'm usually juggling kids and bags and all their assorted gear and it's nice to have one less thing to worry about. There's nothing quite as much fun as dumping tea all over your gear as you try to get out of the house. But, again, it's a small thing and I really do like this mug...Although I fear my husband my abscond with it.

Apparently Copco is owned by Wilton - You know, the company that makes all that fantastic cake decorating equipment. Definitely a company with a strong reputation for kitchenware.

I'll have to keep my eyes open for other "Total Tea" products. I must confess to being enamored by the funky lime green, glass, and steel designs. My favorite for pure look is the Lily Pad Tea Ball, even though I don't generally use tea balls - not enough room for the leaves to fully expand. But I still love the lily pad-shaped holder for the infuser. I also liked the Soft Grip Tea Thermal which is a tall clear bottle with an infuser. (Again, though, the infuser seemed a bit small for my taste.)

Thank you to Copco for providing this product for review.

Working and working

I've been working on my "Tea in Massachusetts" piece and have been overwhelmed with how much there is to cover. I'm aiming to have something out to you in the next day or so.

In the meantime, you can drool and covet my newest teaware acquisition. ;)











I picked this Yixing pot and sharing cup up at a 50% off sale at Green Teahouse in West Hartford, Connecticut yesterday. I'm in love. Today I'm going to boil the pot to get it ready for use. I usually just boil in water, but I might actually boil in tea this time. I haven't decided.

Then I have to decide what kind of tea this pot is going to be dedicated to. Hmmm.....

Tea in New Hampshire

A couple of days ago I published a post on "Tea in Maine." Time to move a bit south into New Hampshire.

New Hampshire has been a tough nut for me to crack in terms of tea. I've struggled to find great spots that I'm anxious to return to. Back in September I wrote about a few places that I'd found in the Portsmouth area: Breaking New Grounds, Popovers on the Square, and Portsmouth Tea Company (in Somersworth.) I've had good tea in each spot, but none of them has that feel that makes it a place I dream about. (Yes, I do dream about good tea spots.)

Last year I had found a tea shop in Nashua that had great potential: Herbata Tea Bar. It had the right feel, good tea, and great staff. Alas, it closed it's doors about nine months after it opened.

I was assigned the challenge of finding a great spot for afternoon tea in New Hampshire and I kept striking out. I had heard about a place called TOPIARY at Owls' Rest Farm. This is a business that does floral design that also serves tea in their farmhouse. It sounded like a really interesting setting to experience tea. I called, however, and the response was not very enthusiastic when I was trying to get information about reserving space for tea. I began to feel that it was really an imposition for me to come. I decided to try another venue. I finally found AntiquiTeas of Londonderry. I spent a wonderful afternoon there with a friend and certainly intended to return. Alas, AGAIN, I was just informed that AntiquiTeas served its last tea at the end of January after 15 years in service. (Sorry, Ophelia, we won't be able to go back...)

So, I continue my quest to find a favorite tea spot in New Hampshire. There is a wonderful retail shop that's worth a visit - The Cozy Tea Cart in Brookline, NH. The owner, Danielle Beaudette, is extremely well versed in tea and is lovely to chat with. She teaches many tea education classes in the area and is now doing regular classes at the shop as well. They do cater afternoon teas for adults and for children.

There has definitely been some movement in this area though. Some places I've recently discovered that have been added to my "future visit" list:
* Apotheca is a florist in Goffstown that has a tea/coffee bar.
* White Lily Teas in Exeter has a tea bar and tea tastings.
* Mizuna in Greenland serves more than 50 types of tea and a very eclectic menu. This one looks really promising. I'll have to check it out next time I'm in the Portsmouth area.
* A new tea spot is opening in Meredith in Chi-Lin Arts and Antiques of Asia. It will be called Satori, but info is not yet available on the website.
* Ash Street Inn in Manchester serves afternoon tea now on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. It is located 1 block from Currier Art Museum. I am anxious to try this spot to see if it could "replace" AntiquiTeas in my roster.

Any tea fans in New Hampshire know of a place I missed? The explorations continue...

(Next post - Tea in Massachusetts)