A Spot of Tea Hits The Spot
Photography: John McCarthy
In addition to its stature as the second most commonly consumed beverage in the world (water is first), tea has the rare distinction of being so good for you that you can indulge in several cups a day. This is not exactly a newsflash, as we’ve all heard about the health benefits of black and green teas. But it’s good to remember in these chilly days of winter that if you do drink tea to your heart’s content, you may actually be building a healthier heart in the process. Both green and black teas send waves of flavenoids through your system. These naturally occurring antioxidants have been shown to play a role in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and other serious maladies.
Salt Lake City’s selection of true “tea houses” offer something for every type of tea drinker, which is good to know, as tea aficionados are a particular lot. When we go out for tea, we like to savor the entire ritual. The pots, the cups, the service and the atmosphere are as important as the tea itself. Delectable treats to go with the tea? Oh yes! We like those, too. Here are three top spots for sipping and nibbling in Salt Lake City:
The Beehive Tearoom
Cozy and hip at the same time, this inviting, “everyday” tearoom is a downtown favorite. Sit at vintage tables and chairs or on the green comfy sofa in the front of the space if you want to enjoy the natural light and perhaps a game of dominoes while your tea steeps in a fine little pot. Or, steal away to the dusky Willow Room for more privacy in a parlor adorned with a dream-like wall mural and overstuffed brocade and velvet chairs. In the middle of the tearoom sits a small, cleverly furnished study with shelves full of old books organized by color. (The study is available, by reservation, for parties of six at no charge.)
The Beehive’s extensive tea menu includes selections from Harney & Sons, East Indies and Rishi. Enjoy your choice of tea with creamy, crumbly scones or a selection of sweets or savory sandwiches. Kids love the children’s “Silver Tea Service” with hot chocolate in a silver tea pot and a pink petit-four or some such treat. Owner Lisa Brady, a professional floral designer with a superb sense of style and a knack for collecting and combining retro furnishings, also runs a small wedding library and wedding consulting business in the tearoom. Afternoon tea can be busy, so reservations are suggested—though walk-ins are always welcome. 12 West Broadway (300 South just west of Main Street.) Open daily. 801.328.4700.
The Grand America Hotel Lobby Lounge
Tea at this posh Five-Diamond hotel is such a grand occasion it almost makes you wish you were wearing white gloves and a hat, just to complete the experience. The good news is, though the setting is elegant and refined, you can come as you are. It’s a hotel lobby, after all. Here, you can lounge on a satiny sofa with silk pillows, under fine crystal chandeliers and indulge in a full selection of Harney & Sons fine teas and a menu of exquisite pastries and savories. It’s a particularly relaxing ritual after a day of shopping or skiing, and you can always add a glass of wine or sherry to your tea time in the lobby lounge. From November 25-December 23 (excluding Dec. 3, 10 and 17), the Grand America features its Victorian Christmas tea in a decked out lobby with all the frills and a roaring fire in the fireplace.
On December 3, 10 and 17, make way for the Grand Tea Party. Little ones are invited to bring a favorite stuffed animal to join them at tea, admire a huge gingerbread house, and bask in the traditions of holiday carols and storytelling in front of the fire. The menu includes holiday hot chocolate, finger sandwiches and cookies as well as traditional tea and adult fare.
You’ll want to make reservations for all December teas, as the lobby lounge tends to fill up with guests and scores of holiday shoppers. Before and after the holidays, you can usually just walk in. Open daily. 555 South Main Street, 801.258.6707, ext. 6707.
The Tea Grotto
The most low-key of all the tearooms in town, the Tea Grotto also offers one of the biggest and best selections of select loose leaf teas and herbal blends from around the globe. The owner is supremely knowledgeable, in a patient and friendly way, about every tea she carries. Maybe it’s the Tea Grotto’s location adjacent to a Feng-Shui shop in Salt Lake’s Sugarhouse district, but you definitely feel a Zen sort of vibe here. The high-ceilinged room is light and airy, furnished with high-top tables and chairs and, off to one side, a small nook of a Japanese-style tearoom. Food isn’t a focus, though you’ll find fresh sandwiches from Radda Café (a local Italian-style hot spot) and burritos from Rico Mexican Market as well as a few nice, gooey pastries. Open daily. 2030 South 900 East, 801.466.8255.
Salt Lake-based writer Virginia Rainey escapes to her favorite tearoom for a pot of “very caffeinated” chocolate mint tea whenever the mood strikes.
Your comments may be edited for brevity and foul language.