| Some petits fours, a cup of tea and Mom With Mother’s Day approaching, why don’t you think about taking her to a tea room? |
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I can still smell the tea that my grandmother drank to start her day. It was always black jasmine, sometimes fragranced with chrysanthemums. I used to help her wash the teapot and teacups early in the morning. My Bà Ngo?i lived with us in Vi?t Nam, and she would always serve tea for our guests. In the evening, we sometimes would have tea with sweets, such as bánh Trung Thu mooncakes or bánh in on T?t. Tea is a part of me, both in taste and tradition. My kindergartner, Hannah, enjoys sipping from my cup when we eat in restaurants. She invites her stuffed animals to tea parties with her. Like fine jewelry and wedding gowns, tea is passed down from generation to generation, woman to woman. So at this time of year, with Mother’s Day just a little more than a week away, how about sharing a cup of the soothing brew with your mother? While the delicious varieties of the Central Highlands of Vi?t Nam are not well-known in the United States, there are plenty of fine offerings to share in fine places. Near my home in California’s Bay Area, I sampled a host of them, sometimes with a friend and her daughter, at some of the tea houses and tea bars that have recently sprouted up around here. These days, many tea houses offer extensive tea menus as well as savory snacks and tempting sweets. From the traditional English Breakfast tea or Japanese Green tea to the more exotic Nigril Fbop tea or Rajah’s Phize tea, there are many to satisfy whatever mood you are in. If you and your mother — or another companion — happen to share a passion for tea but not the same kind of tea, then you each can order your own teapot and share your sweets instead. And while we’re talking about moms here, a word of caution. Judging by the diverse crowds that I saw in the tea houses, know that tea isn’t just for ladies with big hats and plenty of time to spare. No, tea is big business. According to the Tea Association of the United States, it’s the most widely consumed beverage in the world, after water. And it can be found in almost 80 percent of U.S. households, where, on any day, 127 million Americans drink tea. Supermarkets sold $1.9 billion of tea in 2005. Thirsty yet? If you’re in or near San Francisco, try one of the places I sampled. If not, finding a tea house — or a spot where afternoon tea is an occasion — isn’t too difficult. Try an Internet search, and you’ll see many informative listings, such as http://www.teaguide.net/, which suggests a host of choices by state. (Make sure to call first to verify hours and to see if reservations are required.) Happy Mother’s Day to you, from Hannah and me. L’Amyx Tea Bar 4179 Piedmont Ave., Oakland, Calif. (510) 594-8322 or www.lamyx.com Located on the posh Piedmont Avenue of Oakland, L’Amyx is a modern and airy place. Its offers vary from traditional loose-leaf tea served in teapots to the more modern and colorful "Bubble Tea" (tea, milk, tapioca pearls, ice) in a clear plastic cup with a wide straw. The food menu includes soup and sandwiches. Decadent sweets such as chocolate cake and mochi rounds are temptingly displayed in glass counters. I visited the Tea Bar with my friend Anita and our daughters. We happily soaked up the sun while sipping our delicious and refreshing ice drinks. Our girls automatically glued their noses to the display once they got inside. And judging from the speed the children devoured their chocolate cake and their wide Cheshire-cat grins afterward, I am sure the dessert was delicious. Lafayette Circle Cafe and Tea Room 71 Lafayette Circle, Lafayette, Calif. (925) 283-2226 This is a good place to go if you want to try out a traditional English tearoom in an old-fashioned atmosphere. It’s situated in the charming commercial center of Lafayette and offers an extensive menu of teas ranging from Irish Breakfast to Lapsong Souchon. On a rather cold afternoon in early April, the four of us arrived to Lafayette Circle for our 2 p.m. gathering. The girls were delighted to see that we were served in fine china teapots and cups while food came to the table on a three-tiered tray that beckoned with small bites. A scone and dessert plate is brought after the meal. I thought the chicken salad with cranberry sandwich was superb and the salmon and cucumber sandwiches were savory. Although the scones and teacakes weren’t as good and the tea per guest is a bit pricey, the shop’s warm and kid-friendly servers do more than make up for the expensive bill. Teance (formerly Celadon FineTeas) 1111 Solano Ave., Albany, Calif. (510) 524-1696 or www.teance.com Here’s an inviting spot on the happening Solano Avenue that serves tea from the East, with most coming from China and choices from other countries such as India, Japan and Taiwan. Teance’s Celedon Tea Room is exquisitely decorated with big, square paper lamps hanging from the ceiling. Dry bamboo sticks, Asian teawares and books on tea were strategically placed around the room. Obviously, it’s not a place to take youngsters, but it’s definitely a place for a serious tea drinker and does not serve much food. Its Web site boasts that the mission is "to promote tea connoisseurship." And if your idea of "high tea" is in a teabag with a whole lot of milk and sugar, you will be enlightened at Teance to know that milk and sugar take away the essence and aroma of the beverage, which is why it’s not offered here. Rather, tea is served with a glass brewing pot and a separate pot for hot water. Guests are instructed on how long they should brew their drink to get the most flavors out of it. I tried the jasmine tea, and it was definitely the most aromatic jasmine tea I ever had. Those with a sweet tooth should be happy to know that light pastries are usually delivered in the early afternoon. Japanese Tea Garden Golden Gate Park, near Tenth Avenue, San Francisco The tranquil Japanese Tea Garden is a perfect place to take a garden lover for tea. Nestled inside the famous Golden Gate Park, it is a true retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city. For $3.50 admission fee, you can stroll through its meandering paths, which lead to the famous Drum Bridge, Buddhist pagoda and Mt. Fuji hedge. After a quiet, contemplative walk at the Zen Garden, one can stop for pot of tea and cookies in the authentic Japanese Tea House. The pleasures of the garden gradually unfold as you drink in the beautiful greenery and the tranquil waters all surrounded by a glorious display of cherry trees exploding with fluffy pink blossoms, in season from April through May. |
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