What’s better on a cold, snowy afternoon than a steaming hot cup of tea?
The tradition of having a cup of tea is steeped in tradition and the drink itself originated thousands of years ago, likely in southwest China during the Shang dynasty as a medicinal drink.
In recent years, fans of the hit PBS series Downton Abbey watched how an afternoon cup of tea was a comforting part of every day life in England in the early 1900s.
In this day in age, having an afternoon spot of tea can be equally as comforting and delightful. In honor of National Hot Tea Month, Philly Happening suggests three great places to sit back, relax, and have a cup of comfort–Philadelphia style.
Mary Cassatt Tea Room & Garden, 210 W. Rittenhouse Square; http://www.rittenhousehotel.com/dining/tea
Tea menu: http://www.rittenhousehotel.com/dining/tea
Located inside The Rittenhouse Hotel, the Mary Cassatt Tea Room & Garden offers an intimate daily escape and the continuance of the age-old tradition of high tea with a dash of local flavor and exquisitely re-imagined elements. The tea selection spans the world, from local herbs and flowers to grand black and green teas of Asia.
Tea Time is from 2pm – 5pm daily. A reservation is recommended for Afternoon Tea, please call: 800.635.1042 or 215.790.2533.
Afternoon Tea at The Dandelion, 124 S. 18th Street; http://thedandelionpub.com/
Tea menu: http://thedandelion.me/menu/afternoon-tea/
The Dandelion serves afternoon tea daily with traditional service, including tea, cocktails, and sweet and savory menu items. The savory items include traditional English items, such as beer battered fish and chips, Welsh rarebit on buttermilk toast, and lamb shepherd’s pie. The sweet menu offers a selection of ice creams, sorbets, a tea cookie plate, and sticky toffee pudding with rum butter pecan ice cream.
Tea is served daily from 3-5. Reservations aren’t necessary.
The Random Tea Room & Curiosity Shop, 713 North 4th Street; http://therandomtearoom.com/
Find yourself immersed in a whimsical selection of sensory delights. International teas from around the globe await to release their essence from within you cup while tea accessories and trinkets from the past beckon you to explore the shop. Locally made jewelry, monthly music events, and a rotating art gallery quench your creative thirst while a light food menu with local gluten-free baked goods will satisfy your cravings. There are more than 40 artisanal teas and house-blended herbal infusions that provide a unique glimpse into the international world of tea.
Hours are 10 am to 8 pm. (Closed Mondays).
