Two tea lovers, the couple Amy and Christopher Dean started Crown & Crumpet in September 2008. The tearoom is located in the Ghirardelli Square in old San Francisco. The English architect and designer Roland Courtenay Bishop imagined a decor that is fun, modern and refined. They reinvented the English tea service.

If you live in the San Francisco, they can host a party with up to 20 guests. It would an ideal spot for a baby shower. Otherwise, you could borrow the spirit of their design concept for your own tea party.

Holiday Decorations

They carried their modern Victorian style even in their holiday decorations. I agree with Darling Darleen when she said that they have an Alice in Wonderland vibe.

MORE:
+ Crown & Crumpet
+ holiday decoration photos: Darling Darleen

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I went to Toronto for two days last week to research stories for my blog, to attend a social media event and to meet people. One thing on my list was having a formal tea service. When I saw that Windsor Arms starts serving their tea service at 1 pm, I jumped at the occasion. Some people find it old-fashioned but I like the luxurious feeling of sitting in a classical tea room. For me, the more formal style is part of the pleasure.

I went with Ian Barr and Brenna Flynn of Rocket XL, the firm that planned the Pillsbury Baking Challenge for which I am a judge. Since we only communicated by email or on Twitter before that day, I wanted to actually meet them. The tea service experience was enhanced by our lively conversation.

What comes with the Full Tea Menu at Windsor Arms?

We each chose a tea blend. I opted for the Earl Grey tea with blue flowers. The lavender adds an exquisite touch to the classic Earl Grey blend. Brenna enjoyed her Earl Grey tea with roses. Since they had to go back to the office after, they ordered the Full Tea menu. I indulged by ordering the Complete Tea menu, which added a sparkling wine (or a sherry) to the full tea menu.

We started with elegant sandwich rolls. They look so much more elegant than basic triangles. They served us three delicious sandwiches:

• Smoked Salmon and Salmon Caviar with an Oven-Roasted Tomato Cream Cheese
• Baby Greens with Asparagus, Cucumber Salsa and Chive Cream Cheese
• Grilled Chicken with Citrus Essence

The smoked salmon sandwich and the asparagus one were my favorite. The scone with raisins pleased me. I did not try the plain scone. Besides the sandwiches, the scones and the sweet desserts that I captured on photos, they served us a goat cheese and caramelized shallot tart. The finale was a small bowl of strawberries with whipped cream. As you can see there was a lot of food. Overall, I am pleased with my tea service at the Windsor Arms.

For almost any tea service, you need to make a reservation 24 hours in advance. I knew it but I didn’t reserve! Still, they have accommodated us by sitting us at a nice table.

Business and Pleasures

A while ago, I read an interview where Martha Stewart mentioned that she booked her meetings around her daily activities. For me, it a pleasant way to talk business. When I asked Ian to join me for lunch at a place that I was researching for a blog post, I made him laughed by making this reference to Martha Stewart.

+ Tea Menu at Windsor Arms

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Amongst the tea brands that are served in restaurants around Montreal is the American brand Harney & Sons. I often drink their Supreme Earl Grey and the Dragon Pearl Jasmine. Their production facility is located in Upstate New York. Since 2006, they are a member of 1% For The Planet.

+ Photo by Kim Vallee taken at DNA restaurant in Montreal

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Why it is so hard to find a restaurant that serves tea in style? I want my tea served with a porcelain teapot or an iron cast model. It seems that most restaurants skipped the memo about the current tea popularity.

PHOTOS by Kim Vallee:
+ Awesome teapot at Art Java on President Kennedy in Montreal – some coffee shop owners get it
+ Sugar pot at DNA restaurant in Old Montreal

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When I saw this store window yesterday decorated with corrugated cardboard rolls, I grabbed my iPhone to take pictures. This is something that you can reproduce at home.

I immediately imagined a twist for the hat making activity that is so popular in Alice in Wonderland theme party. After all, why not set the theme in a different environment? Your guests can paint, draw and glue decorations. You will set up a wall to exhibit their creations.

It can also form the backdrop of a tasting of Asian tea service. It is a creative decor that is simple to do.

Corrugated cardboard rolls are easy to find at packaging supply stores. You can use A, B or C flute sizes but look for 6-inch thick rolls.

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First of all, you need to use loose leaves. No powder and no special machine. All you need to make the perfect iced tea is a glass jar, cold water, possibly a kettle, loose tea leaves, other ingredients to add flavor and garnishes.

Chances are that you make iced tea with hot water but I prefer the cold-brewed technique. I also enjoy the fact that it is simpler to prepare. I discovered the technique when I was in San Francisco in June. We stopped by a Lupicia shop to taste and buy tea leaves for my husband. The Grapefruit Green leaves make a sublime iced tea.

The Fridge Iced Tea Method

Cold-brewed iced tea is becoming more and more popular. It produces a more subtle tea than the hot-brewed technique. It is recommended to use filtered water or natural source water. You can use tap water as long as it is tasteless.

Basically, the cold-brewed iced tea method is done in 5 easy steps:

• Pour the cold water into a glass jar,
• Put your tea leaves in a generous size tea strainer,
• Place the tea on the fridge to infuse overnight,
• Remove the strainer in the morning,
• Pour you a glass filled with ice, garnish and enjoy your creation on the porch.

You can do two batches of iced teas with the same leaves. The second batch will be weaker but it will be still delicious.

The Teas Dictate Which Brewing Methods

Use hot water if you are making your iced tea with Assam, Ceylon or Darjeeling second flush. You can add fine sugar while the water is very hot. But I prefer to let people sweeten their tea they way they like it. Therefore, I serve simple syrup.

If you use flavored green teas, Japanese green teas, white teas and Darjeeling first flush, go for the cold-brewed method.

Lemon verbera and green tea mix very well. Lemon verbera has a strong lemon scent. If you rub the leaves, your finger will be filled by the wonderful scent. Elise of Simply Recipes published a Lemon Verbena Mint Herb Tea recipe.

Simple Rules for Making  Teas

If you want a stronger tea, have more leaves and respect the recommended infusion time. Never steep longer as it adds an unwanted bitter taste.

Know the ideal water temperature for your tea. Let the boiling water cools down a bit before pouring the water. if you are making hot-brewed iced tea, wait until it is cold before putting it on the fridge. Otherwise, your tea will be more cloudy than usual.

If you still prefer the hot-brewed technique, Chow published a Mint and Lime Iced Tea recipe done with green tea leaves.

MORE:
+ Lemon Verbena Mint Herb Tea recipe by Simply Recipes
+ Lupicia Handy Cooler 1 liter $18 USD
+ Grapefruit Green Leaves $5.50 for 50 g
+ Bodum Ceylon Iced Tea Maker and Water Infuser $23.57 USD
+ Mint and Lime Iced Tea recipe by Chow

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I first introduced the work of a.j creation as a gift ideas for last Christmas. a.j is the crafted work of two Montreal-based artists: a ceramist and a glassblower. I am happy for them that more retailers have picked up their wonderful products.

Coffee Cups and Saucers

The first thing that caught my eyes this morning were their coffee cup and saucer sets. I drank plenty of wonderful espresso over the last week. We stayed at the new Fairmont Battery Wharf in Boston, which is located next to North End, the Little Italy neighborhood. In fact, I put sugar on my espresso for the first time this weekend. I usually take my coffee with two dashes of milk. I insisted on the milk since cream and half-half changes the taste of the coffee.

Anyway, going back to a.j ceramic work, I feel it have a nice twist. Three options are available for the saucer: white china, white china with colored lines or chocolate stoneware. The simple lines of the spoon are gorgeous.

Teapots and Tumblers

They also cater to tea lovers, like my husband. I prefer the high teapot to the wide one; I feel it is more elegant when it is tall. They both costs the same. Small and large tumblers are available. You could use the large tumblers to serve hot chocolate.

MORE:
+ a.j Espresso Set $33 CAD at Modern Karibou
+ a.j Cappuccino Set $33 CAD
+ a.j Coffee Set $33 CAD
+ a.j Teapot – High $96 CAD
+ a.j Teapot – Wide $96 CAD
+ a.j Set of 2 Large Tumblers $34 CAD
+ a.j Set of 2 Small Tumblers $26 CAD

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I was invited for a tasting at Gastronomia that are located here in Montreal. Since 1998, they sell to upscale hotels, restaurants, bars and caterers across the United States and Canada.. What’s best is that they now operate a warehouse store open to the public.

Most of their products are imported from France. This is high end stuff that will save you a lot of time in the kitchen. The frozen aisles of the grocery stores are filled with finger food and pastry based appetizers. What I am talking about tastes way way better. If you stock a few packages, you could entertain at last minute without stress any day of the week.

From the Freezer to Oven

One side dish that I adore is the Gratin Dauphinois available in individual portions. They make a fancy potato side dish. Making your own gratin dauphinois is time consuming. Not anymore! Simply reheat the number you need on the oven for 30 minutes and voilà! Gratin Dauphinois goes well with any meat.

Making myself a French breakfast was easy with the freezer to oven butter mini-croissants or chocolatine. Both pastries were tasty and exhibit the right texture. I like the fact that I did not have to step out of the house to get them. Plus the house smells great afterward. All their pastries are made with real butter. For me, butter pastry is a must.

Small Desserts

While I was there, I tasted plenty of dessert. I like some better than others. The mini-verrines are a must buy. They even carry the small plastic spoons that you see on my picture. The pistachio are awesome. I also enjoyed the exotic fruits with its passion fruit mousse, exotic fruit coulis and flambéed meringue.

I have been told that the mirlitons, which are small buttery cakes, pair well with sweeter Champagne and ice cider. The 8 varieties come on a golden tray. Serve those on a dessert table or at a tea party. I enjoyed the most the rhubarb mirliton and the hazelnut and raspberry mirliton. It is just for your knowledge since you cannot select the variety.

Their macarons were delicious. It is a good idea to keep a few boxes of the mini-macarons on your freezer for when you need a hostess gift.

Boiron Fruit Purees And Coulis

Chefs and mixologists used those around the world. All the Boiron’s fruit purees and coulis are 100% natural with no added preservatives. Some flavors have a little amount of sugar to produce the right texture. The squeeze bottle is a charm to work with. Boiron makes sure that you get the right texture and color for each fruit. I will share my tricks as we make cocktail recipes over the upcoming months.

Still More to Taste

Gastronomia also carries trendy appetizers, frozen vegetables, mushrooms and herbs. You take the quantity of herbs that you need and put it back on the freezer. They are more tasteful that the dried herbs. I received more samples of stuffed appetizers that I may review once I tasted them. We will see.

Based on what I tasted so far, I will be going back to their warehouse boutique. It is open Monday to Friday from 9 am to 6 pm. See for yourself if you like it.

MORE:
+ Gastronomia – get directions (514) 281-6400
333 Richmond Street, Montreal, QC, Canada, H3J 1T9

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When it comes to kettles, you first have to decide if you are looking for a stove model or an electric model.

My preference goes to a classic teakettle that you put on the stove. I own a beautiful Italian design stainless steel whistling kettle. Many  friends told me over the years that my kettle looks great. Unfortunately, my husband does not like a stove kettle. Therefore, we stopped using it. I stored it just in case.

But the latest innovation in teakettle, water temperature gauge may change my mind. The bright color of the porcelain enameled teakettle made me wish for a red Cuisinart PerfecTemp Porcelain Enameled Teakettle.

The ultimate feature I have seen is the variable temperature electric kettle. Since we drink several types of teas at home, this will be heaven. It will ensure that I get the right temperature for his morning tea and my French-press coffee. The Breville Variable-Temperature Kettle beeps when water reaches the selected temperature and can maintain that temperature for up to 20 minutes.

SOURCING:
+ Cuisinart PerfecTemp Porcelain Enameled Teakettles $99.95 USD
+ Oxo Uplift Teakettle $49.95 USD
+ Dijon Whistling Teakettle $69.95 USD
+ Grenadine Round Teakettle by Staub $131.95 USD
+ Breville Variable-Temperature Kettle $149.95 USD

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Koziol did it again: I am in awe. I spot this adorable tea strainer while researching the best tea strainers. But really, Audrey Tea Strainer is too remarkable for me to wait. It is in a class by itself. I will tell you a little secret: I will give it to my mom for Mother’s Day – do not worry, she will be surprised since she rarely uses a computer.

I think that the Audrey tea strainer collection was launched last year. Every blown glass piece is unique. Plus like the Swatch watches, you can build a collection. Every year, they are updating the colors. The 2008 collection has a white vase with the bloom available in pink, orange, pink sun, red, turquoise blue and green. The 2009 collection is pink orange, pink white, red white with a green base. It is also available in all green and all white.

More Tea Accessories

Koziol is well known for their fun and colorful plastic kitchenware. Their plastic collection proposes several cool items for making your tea.

+ THEKLA, a measuring spoon with a bag clip
+ BEAU-TEA ,which is a modern tea ball that is supposed to leave enough space for the leaves to fully unfold
+ LEAF-IT, a fun tea bag tidy made of transparent heat-resistant plastic
+ The popular three-tiered BABELL tray is now available in a small size to fit petits fours, chocolates and mignardises

SOURCING:
+ Koziol for the Kitchen Catalogue
+ Audrey Murano Tea Strainer $22.95 CAD at Ochadô – they deliver internationally

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I went to a cute and fun baby shower Saturday. The organizer, Nathalie designed a tea party event because the mom-to-be is a tea connoisseur. Everyone participated by bringing food. She split the food into the salty table and the sweet table. It was beautifully done. The baby shower was a success.

Nat well stocked her tea station. It was done so that we can quickly and easily serve different teas. She put 5 teapots on the table, filled her retro thermos with hot water and had an assortment of tea. She had more tea leaves on her side buffet.

Her sweet buffet table feel festive. Her cheerful looks almost all came from the colorful tableware and tins. Silk flowers complete her setting. Each time, I go at her place, I envy her rustic table island on her kitchen; it is so gorgeous.

The woman who did the cucumber sandwich, used a single-blade hand mandolin slicer that reminds me of my micro blade grater. I have a V-slicer by Zyliss. It works fabulously well but there are times where I wish to get a smaller one. I guess I found the topic of another post.

If you have a baby shower coming soon, I recommend the tea party formula.

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+ It may be snow calling but I felt in love with these Classic Brown Betty small teapot with hand knitted wool cosy. I would have a hard time choosing between the orange, yellow or grey.

+ I like the natural white Scottish laser cut felt coasters designed by Donna Wilson. The felt coasters are also available in black. She also designed 12-inch felt doily in turquoise, red and black.

See how great the turquoise doily looks like when they are used as a oversized charger plate. Sorry, I do not have any information about the turquoise and white dinner plate.

SOURCING:
+ teapot with cozy $70 USD
+ Natural Felt Coasters, $38 USD for set of 4
+ Turquoise Felt Doily, $38 USD
+ Eden and Eden – get directions p 415.983.0490
   560 Jackson Street, San Francisco, California, United States, 94133

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