The T-Cozy

Demystifying Rooibos Tea

I'm a Rooibos tea fan. And I want you to become one, too. Why? Because it's delicious and really good for you. Here is what you need to know about this beneficial herbal infusion.

What is Rooibos?
Rooibos (pronounced "roy-bos") is the Afrikaans word that translates to “red bush.” This herb, grown in the South Western Cape region of South Africa, is a member of the legume family. It is used to make an herbal tea that has been popular for generations.

How is Rooibos different than black tea?
Rooibos is 100% caffeine free. A nice feature is that it doesn't become bitter when steeped for a long time. (Black tea tends to stew if brewed too long.) Rooibos also lacks the astringency found in black tea and has low tannin levels. Tannins can affect the metabolism by decreasing absorption of certain nutrients like iron and protein.

How is Rooibos similar to black tea?
Rooibos is the only other type of tea beside black tea that is oxidized. This fermentation process turns the green needles a deep red color and enhances its flavor. Rooibos is naturally sweet and slightly nutty (like me!). Most herbal teas are too light in body to combine well with milk, but Rooibos takes milk beautifully. So if you prefer milk in your tea, Rooibos is the one for you. 

Is Rooibos good for you?
Like black and green tea, Rooibos contains a number of phenolic compounds that have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties. These substances help protect the body from free radical damage. They also help to maintain the health of small blood vessels and connective tissue. Drinking Rooibos tea daily can help build the body's immune system. It is an antispasmodic. In South Africa it is very common to give rooibos tea to babies who suffer from colic. Red tea has anti-allergenic and anti-inflammatory properties. It contains high levels of quercitin, a flavonoid that inhibits the release of histamine and other inflammatory compounds. Rooibos also contains calcium, fluoride, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper and potassium which contributes to healthy skin, bones, teeth, and enhances the metabolic processes. Amazing!

What has Rooibos done for me lately?
I drink Rooibos almost every day. Hard to say whether or not it's from the tea, but my health has been pretty darn good lately. I haven't had a cold in years. Really, it's been years! Plus, I haven't suffered from my usual spring time allergies that used to plague me at this time of year.

Where can I find Rooibos teas?
It's easy to give red tea a try. I recommend going with a flavored one. (Plain Rooibos is an acquired taste.) You can find Rooibos blends in just about every grocery or health food store. Trader Joe's has one called Ruby Red Chai and Starbucks offers African Red Bush. On my website, I carry a strawberry and cherry flavored Rooibos called Cherry Berry Good. Or course, I prefer to drink my very own Susan's Blend, also on my website.

What is Susan's Blend?
When I had my tea room, I worked with my tea purveyor to create my red tea blend, an herbal Rooibos mixed with ginseng, blackberry leaves, orange peel, rosehips, a dash of chicory, ginger root and a hint of cinnamon. Along with being delicious plain or with milk, Susan's Blend is 100% caffeine free and it can be enjoyed both hot or iced. Plus, it's a T-Party exclusive.

Free tea for you!
As a gift to my loyal patrons, I will include a free two-ounce sample tin of my signature Susan's Blend with orders over $20 (before shipping) on my website. This special offer will run through Tuesday, June 30.

I hope I've demystified Rooibos tea for you. Come on, give it a try!

Susan

Friday FAQ Overiew

We field many questions everyday about T-Party. And most of them can be answered easily by referring to our Frequently Asked Questions category on this blog. Here's an overview of some helpful FAQ posts. (Simply click on the bold red type to be redirected to those particular posts.)

Did you know that T-Party is not only a tea room but a retail shop as well? Find out more in the About Our Shop post.

In Tea Time Basics, we review everything you'll need to know about how to make a reservation and what to expect when you join us for afternoon tea at T-Party.

Most people wonder why we ask if you want our Grand or Petite Afternoon Tea when you make your T-Party reservations. This post explains why.

T-Party is the perfect spot for a larger Private Party. This post covers how to book a special affair like a bridal shower, special birthday, baby shower, Sweet 16, book group, or business gathering.

Cynthia and I are both moms and we know how stressful planning kids birthday parties can be. That's why we offer Children's Birthday Parties here at T-Party.

People often need help hosting a tea party at home. Here's some information about our Catering Services.

Every so often we are asked about Tea Manners. If requested, we’ll do an etiquette lesson during a child's birthday party or for a Brownie troop working toward earning their manners badge. This post provides a little tea time etiquette.

Some other topics I've covered in our Friday FAQ's are: how we began this business, T-Party's dress code (or lack thereof), the Red Hat Society, a recipe for our beloved brownie cakes, special groups at T-Party, and how to launder vintage linens. To see more, just click on this blog's "Friday FAQ" category.

And if you have a burning question for us, simply leave a comment and I'll be happy to answer it in another Friday FAQ.

Susan

FAQ: Coming Soon...

Here's a frequently asked question we're excited to answer!

So what's new at T-Party?

In September, we are adding a new dealer to our group shop. Joan Barere of Happy Knitting Studio will outfit a cute Knit Nook at T-Party! This sweet little space will house her lovely hand-knitted bags, skirts, sweaters, scarves and baby clothing along with beautiful new and vintage yarns and knitting supplies for sale. Joan will also offer both private and group lessons. And one Saturday afternoon a month, we will take reservations for special Tea & Knitting Salons where you can enjoy our Petite Afternoon Tea and work on your own knitting project with Joan's guidance.

How fun is that? Stay tuned for more about the Knit Nook in the coming weeks.

Susan

FAQ: Special Groups at T-Party

Time for another Frequently Asked Question . . .

Can large groups or clubs have a private tea at T-Party?

We are fortunate to host many wonderful groups which choose T-Party as the place to hold a special gathering. Along with private parties for birthdays, bridal or baby showers, we've also had many non-profit and business groups in for tea.

One of our favorite and most memorable groups was the Deaf Women of Connecticut who came for tea last November. Their group's purpose is to promote the best interests and quality of life for deaf women; to be committed to creating opportunities for deaf women in Connecticut to join together in planning, devising, conducting and participating in activities and workshops; and to provide social, leadership and empowerment opportunities.

Fourteen members enjoyed their first official tea party at our shop and have since planned more tea outings. They were one of the most lively and nicest groups we've had at T-Party. I even learned to sign a few words. Here's one of them . . .

How to sign the word TEA: Use the thumb and index finger of the right hand to mimic dipping a tea bag into the left hand which is cupped to represent a teacup. Slightly rotate the right wrist as if swishing the tea bag in the hot water.

Sometimes we are asked to give local Brownie troops a hand in achieving their manners badges. These girls, from Troop #709, recently came in for Petit Afternoon Tea and a fun etiquette lesson.

One of the girls brought in a special ice cream cake that she had won in a school raffle. And since it wasn't anyone's birthday, she decided to have it be an unbirthday cake and had it decorated as such. It said Happy Unbirthday Troop 709.

They were a cute, precocious group of girls that seemed to already know a lot about proper tea etiquette. One thing that tripped them up was whether their pinkies should be up or down when holding the teacup. Most are surprised when we tell them that contrary to popular belief, the pinkie finger should not be extended. When their group meets again, we can look forward to receiving their handmade thank you cards, which they will work on and send us to complete their etiquette training. Then they’ll get their new manners badge to add to their already badge-laden brown vests.

With so many interesting groups visiting us, it's never a dull moment at T-Party!

Susan

FAQ: No Tea on Tuesdays

Let me tell you a little about a fellow blogger, Julie, who is nice as well as generous. Her May 29 post on her always enjoyable blog called Jane’s Apron showed some thrifty finds, one of which was a tea towel that had an embroidered message I could really relate to. I left her a comment about it, and wouldn’t you know it, Julie sent it off in the mail to me as a gift! I then passed it along yesterday to Cynthia because it’s truly perfect for her.

Perfect because, though T-Party is open on Tuesday, we don’t serve tea that day, which causes this question to come up a lot . . .

Why don’t you serve tea on Tuesdays?

And the answer is really quite simple; Tuesday we bake!

T-Party’s treats don’t arrive by truck pre-made and ready to serve. Our desserts and scones taste homemade because they are all freshly baked by Cynthia. We’re closed on Sunday and Monday, so Tuesday is the day Cynthia begins to bake for the week. (If we served tea on Tuesday, that would mean baking would have to happen on Monday when we’re off.) If you stop by T-Party on a Tuesday (September through June), we’re around for retail sales so you can browse and enjoy the delectable smells of baked goods emanating from our sweet little kitchen.

Now back to generous Julie. Her blog’s subtitle reads handcrafted, vintage, thrifty, fun, and it’s all of those things, and then some! My favorite posts are about her beautiful home in St. Louis. (I’m particularly fond of that city as I went to college there and loved it.) Julie is also a talented artist who uses vintage clothing pattern illustrations to create wonderful collages, retro note cards, tags and lunch tin purses. Be sure to take a peek at her Etsy Shop.

The oh-so-cute tea towel is now proudly displayed at T-Party to help our customers understand why we have no tea service on Tuesdays. Thank you, Julie!

Susan

FAQ: T-Party Brownie Cakes

Here’s a question we get asked almost every day at tea time. . .

Would you share any of your recipes?

Though we are best known for our light and flaky scones at T-Party, that’s the one recipe we will not divulge. It’s not that we don’t like to share; it’s that it took us so long to get them just perfect. But our post entitled Scones 101 will give you some important pointers.

Another dessert Cynthia bakes that is a clear favorite is our brownie cakes. Like all of our desserts, they are two-bite sized. And they pack a lot of chocolaty flavor.

T-Party Brownie Cakes
6 ounces chocolate bits
1 stick (8 tablespoons) butter
1/2 cup chocolate syrup
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
3/4 cup flour

Pre-heat oven to 350 F. Spray mini-muffin cups with non-stick cooking spray. Melt chocolate bits and butter in a large microwave-safe bowl. Add chocolate syrup, sugar, eggs and flour, mixing well after each ingredient. Fill mini-muffin cups 3/4 full. Bake for 12-14 minutes. Remove from oven and cool on wire racks. When completely cool, remove brownie cakes from pan. Dip in dark chocolate ganache (see recipe below), and pipe with melted white chocolate. Makes about 36 brownies cakes.

Dark Chocolate Ganache
Put 6 ounces of finely chopped semisweet chocolate in a bowl. Heat 3/4 cup of whipping cream just to a boil. Remove from heat. Pour over the chocolate, whisking until the chocolate melts and the mixture becomes smooth and shiny. Set aside to cool until it thickens slightly.

Our brownie cakes are easy, delectable and perfect for tea time.

Susan

FAQ: Laundering Vintage Linens

One of my favorite things to collect and to sell at T-Party are vintage linens. Not the precious, fragile, lacy ones; I love the sturdy floral tablecloths and napkins from the 1940s and 50s. These beautifully designed textiles were usually made of heavyweight cotton which has allowed them to withstand the test of time. And since they have been well loved and well used, often times they are stained or have yellowed. I work hard to revive these beauties before I bring them in to sell at T-Party.

Which brings us to the question our shoppers, and also Clarice of Storybook Woods, have asked . . .

How do you get stains out of vintage linens?

I usually don’t let stains deter me from purchasing old floral tablecloths or napkins. If I like the design, I will always try to rescue them. Here’s an assortment, below, that I found earlier this week.

They have the usual food stains along with foxing (discoloration) at the creases. My secret weapon is Biz detergent. First I fill up my laundry sink with very hot water and a healthy dose of Biz.

In go all of the linens together. You don’t have to worry about colors running as the dyes used in most vintage cloths were made to be colorfast. Let them soak for a good long time.

After a while, the water will be less bubbly and will turn yellow which means the detergent is removing the stains. I then drain the sink and refill with more Biz and very hot water for additional soaking. Sometimes I’ll soak for a few hours, sometimes all day; it depends on how stubborn the stains are! Then into the washing machine (with regular laundry detergent), then the dryer and soon they’ll be ready to iron.

Alas, some stains are too stubborn and refuse to come out. But these floral textiles can still be enjoyed, so I’ll use their spot-free areas to make tea cozies, napkins, toaster covers, tea towels and pillows.

Vintage linens are perfect on a porch or for a picnic. So don’t be afraid to use them just because they may get soiled. Fresh stains are so much easier to get out than 50 year old ones! (A spritz of Shout will usually suffice.) While out thrifting, I hope you will find some cheerful vintage linens to use and enjoy this summer.

Susan

FAQ: Grand or Petit Afternoon Tea

Every Friday we answer questions that we get from our customers. Today, we’ll shed some light on a question you’ll hear us ask when you call for a reservation at T-Party. . .

Would you like our Grand or Petit Afternoon Tea?

Most people wonder why we would need to know the answer to this question before you even walk in the door. So here are some things to keep in mind:

• There are only two food choices at T-Party. Our Grand Afternoon Tea is our full tea which includes five different finger sandwiches, one scone (with clotted cream and preserves) and four assorted mini desserts along with a personal pot of tea. The Petit Afternoon Tea is the same scone, four desserts and pot of tea without the sandwiches. Each is a set menu and the only thing you have to select is your choice of our 15 loose teas.

• We keep it simple because there are just two of us running the entire shop. All of our food is prepared at T-Party by Cynthia. Our tea sandwiches are made up fresh to order and are very time intensive. You won’t find a staff of helpers (or little elves) in our kitchen making tea sandwiches or baking desserts and scones; it’s just Cynthia!

• All of the food is served at one time, not in separate courses, on trays from which your party will share. We have different size trays for different size parties. And we are setting up those shared trays as you walk in the door. So if we don’t know what you’re having or if you change your order, we may have to completely redo your tray. (This is why it’s also important for us to know the exact number of people in your party.)

• We serve you in a very timely fashion. Usually when your tea timer has reached its three minutes and you are about to pour your first cup, your food will arrive. Having tea at T-Party is a communal affair. We have two seatings a day, so at those times, everyone having tea is served at the same time.

Most days, T-Party’s sweet little kitchen is a crazy place. Hours go into baking our desserts and scones and assembling tea sandwiches. Then comes setting up trays. We start with this . . .

. . . then the trays look like this and we are ready to serve everyone in the tea room at the same time . . .

. . . and in the blink of an eye, all of the food is served, and everyone is eating and having a wonderful time.

Cynthia and I can relax for a brief moment and maybe have a cup of tea. But of course, not for too long as we’ll need to get ready for the next seating!

Susan

FAQ: The Red Hats

We often host tea parties for groups and sometimes get the following question from other tea patrons that haven’t yet come across these lively ladies before . . .

Who are those women in the lovely red hats?

I don’t know all that much about The Red Hat Society except that the various chapters, and we have had several, that have visited T-Party are some of the nicest and most fun ladies around. Throughout this post you’ll see photos of the latest group to visit us, The New England Hotties of Torrington, Connecticut. They arrived for tea at T-Party last week in a little chartered bus!

I did a little research on the official web site RedHatSociety.com and came up with some interesting information. Here’s how these groups began.

While visiting a friend in Tucson several years ago, Sue Ellen Cooper impulsively bought a bright red fedora at a thrift shop, for no other reason than that it was cheap and, she thought, quite dashing. Some time later she read the poem entitled Warning by Jenny Joseph, which depicts an older woman in purple clothing with a red hat. Sue Ellen felt an immediate kinship with Ms. Joseph. She decided that her birthday gift to her dear friend, Linda Murphy, would be a vintage red hat and a copy of the poem. Linda got so much enjoyment out of the hat and the poem that Sue Ellen gave the same gift to another friend, then another, then another.

One day it occurred to these friends that they were becoming a sort of “Red Hat Society” and that perhaps they should go out to tea, in full regalia. They decided they would find purple dresses which clashed with their red hats to complete the poem’s image. The tea was a smashing success. Soon, each of them thought of another woman or two she wanted to include, and they bought more red hats. They began to encourage other interested people to start their own chapters. Today, this world-wide sisterhood has nearly 40,000 chapters in all 50 states across the U.S. and in more than 30 foreign countries.

Their main goal is to have a good time. Members see this group as an opportunity for those who have shouldered various responsibilities at home and in the community their whole lives to say goodbye to these obligations for a little while, spend time together and most of all, have fun. You must be a woman of 50 or over (or you may be a Pink Hatter under 50), and you must attend functions in full regalia (red hat, purple outfit for women 50 and over, or pink hat and lavender outfit for women under 50).

So if you happen to be out at your favorite restaurant and see an animated group of women wearing red hats, purple clothing and having a jolly old time, now you’ll know why!

Susan

FAQ: T-Party Dress Code

Just yesterday, I overheard Cynthia on the phone with someone who asked this question, one we get asked often . . .

Is there a dress code at T-Party?

I loved Cynthia’s answer. She said, “No, we don’t have a dress code; it’s casual-chic at T-Party.” That made me chuckle! But what’s most important to us is that you are comfortable when visiting T-Party. Some people dress up and even go as far as wearing white gloves; others wear jeans.

Yesterday, we hosted an after hours business tea for a lovely group of travel agents. They all wore hats, and the guest with the most creative hat won a trip to Anguilla. (It’s pretty obvious who won!)

T-Party is a comfortably informal and cozy place. It’s lighthearted and most of all fun. So when you stop by for tea, please feel free to wear whatever you’d like.

Susan

FAQ: Catering Afternoon Tea

People often want help with hosting a tea party at home. So we are asked this question a lot . . .

Does T-Party offer catering services?

We are happy to offer a variety of our goodies to go. Here is our current catering menu.

Tea Sandwiches (Each is on a different type of bread.)
• English Cucumber
• Chicken Salad: Basil, Lemon, Dill, Curry or Waldorf
• Chive Egg Salad
• Tea Bread with Cream Cheese
• Watercress and Sharp Cheddar
• Smoked Turkey and Herb Cheese Spiral
• Roast Beef and Herb Cheese Spiral
• Ham and Swiss with Honey Mustard

Scones
Cranberry, Blueberry, Raspberry, Strawberry, Lemon Ginger, Cherry, Apple, Orange Cranberry, Apple Cranberry, or Chocolate Chip

Desserts
• Mini Cheesecakes
• Brownie Cakes
• Chocolate Dipped Cream Puffs
• Sweet Mini Cupcakes
• Russian Tea Cakes
• Butterscotch Toffee Blondies
• Pound Cake: Cinnamon, Blueberry or Lemon Glazed
• Coconut Macaroons
• Lemon Squares
• Cookies: Chocolate Chip, Cutouts, Oatmeal, Sugar, Molasses, Orange or Lemon Tea Cookies

Specialty Desserts
• Fruit Tartlets
• Petit Fours
• Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

We do have a few “rules” regarding catering.
• A minimum of 12 per type must be ordered
• A 50% deposit is required at the time of ordering
• Orders must be place at least one week in advance

Tea time treats ought to be delicate and dainty, therefore our sandwiches and desserts are “two-bite” size. Our scones have a delicate, flaky texture and are no bigger than three inches in diameter. And most important, all must be delectable!

Susan

FAQ: Brewing a Business

Our business, T-Party Antiques and Tea Room, has been around for almost 4 years. And at least once a week, someone will ask us this question . . .

How did you go about creating T-Party?

Sometime back in 2002, after a successful graphic design career, including seven years with various New York City companies and 15 years at my own firm, Susan Borgen Design in Connecticut, I was ready for a change. With a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Washington University in St. Louis, graphic design was a great field for me, allowing flexibility to work as much or as little as I wanted. I set up my home based business just prior to having my first child and it enabled me to always be around for my kids. But the profession changed a lot over the years becoming less hands on and all computer generated. With email, there was little need to meet with clients face to face and I missed interacting with people. The bottom line was that I didn’t want to be tied to the computer all the time for my work.

Then one day my husband said to me, “You know, you don’t have to do graphic design forever. A lot of people change professions in midstream.” And although I had always thought somewhere in the back of my mind about opening an antique shop, it had never occurred to me that I could just stop what I was doing and start something new.

Luckily I have an entrepreneurial spirit, a lot of energy and like trying new things. I had been selling antiques and collectibles for about six years as a side business while doing my design work. (I’ve always loved old things and decorating is also one of my passions.) I decided I wanted to combine the antiques with something else, and being a big fan of having tea parties, I felt that tea and antiques would be the perfect combination. I believe when you combine two compatible things, a small business has a better chance of surviving.

I felt confident I could handle the business side of a new venture since I had already run my own design firm for so many years. But I knew I needed help when it came to the food side of things. (I don’t consider myself a foodie and I’m fortunate to have a husband who cooks wonderful meals for our family.) I began to think about who might have an interest in handling the cooking in the new business. I approached my good friend, Cathy, who also happens to be a talented professional chef. But at that time, she was unavailable. Then, her situation changed at work, so she approached me and said, “Let’s do it!”

It took us several months to find the charming 1890 farmhouse T-Party calls home and another six months to get all of the required permits, set up a commercial kitchen, furnish the tea room and stock the store (a daunting process at times). Cathy was the mastermind behind creating the wonderful way we serve our Grand and Petite Afternoon Teas at T-Party. I kept my creative juices flowing by designing all of the shop’s marketing materials, including the web site and logo, as well as the ever-changing merchandising displays of antiques, collectibles and tea related items. What fun it was for me to find all of the vintage dishes and trays we use in the tea room and to decorate the place. Finally T-Party opened its doors on July 1, 2003.

My founding partner and still good friend, Cathy, remained in the business for three years and has since moved on. I am fortunate to have a wonderful new partner, Cynthia. She’s another dear friend who is smart, savvy, talented in the kitchen and ever so much fun to work with.

I have no regrets about giving up my successful design business and enjoy working directly with the public now. So many nice people come in, often to celebrate something special in their lives, which makes T-Party a warm, happy, fun place to work. My husband and kids are incredibly supportive, and I love our wonderful customers. Their enthusiasm is infectious and I feel very lucky indeed.

Susan

FAQ: Witches or Not?

Gracing the tea room walls at T-Party are framed sepia-toned photos of people enjoying afternoon tea through the ages — from the Mad Hatter’s tea party to FDR and Eleanor Roosevelt taking tea at the White House. Our hope is that our tea patrons, as they glance around the room, feel as though they are part of an ongoing tradition that has been popular for many, many years.

Which brings us to one of our most frequently asked questions . . .

Are these ladies witches?

This tea quartet is everyone’s favorite photo at T-Party. (Perhaps you’ve also seen it as a poster or greeting card.) Everyone assumes that these smiling ladies are witches due to their pointy hats and black cloaks. But apparently that garb was worn in Wales around the turn of the last century. Think about Mother Goose . . . she wore a hat just like that and she was definitely not a witch!

Here is the official caption for this wonderful photo: The members of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Castle Rising, Norfolk, England, which was founded by Henry Howard, Earl of Northampton in 1610, providing a quiet retreat for old ladies to spend the eventide of their lives in peace. Here four of the ladies are enjoying their afternoon tea. © Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS, circa 1929.

Mystery solved. It’s kind of more fun to think that they’re witches, though.

Susan

FAQ: Tea Manners

We’re pretty casual here at T-Party. There’s no dress code and we want our patrons to feel as comfortable at our shop as they do in their own homes. But every so often, we are asked about tea manners. If requested, we’ll do an etiquette lesson during a child's birthday party or for a Brownie troop trying to earn their manners badge. So here’s a little tea time etiquette, but please take it with a grain of salt, or perhaps a big lump of sugar . . .

Pinkie up or down
Contrary to popular belief, when holding the teacup the pinkie finger should not be extended.

Napkin basics
Put your napkin on your lap. Never put your napkin back on the table until you are ready to leave. If you must get up before you are finished, place the napkin on your seat. Replace it on your lap when you return. Blot or pat your lips, rather than wiping the napkin across your mouth.

Spoon usage
When stirring your tea, don’t make noises by clinking the sides of the cup. Gently swish the tea back and forth being careful not to touch the sides. Never leave the spoon in the cup (you might loose an eye) and don’t sip tea from the spoon either. When you are done stirring, place your teaspoon on your saucer.

Sipping vs slurping
Tea is to be sipped, not slurped and not used to wash down a large bite of food. Don’t drink if your mouth has food in it; swallow your food before sipping. Take dainty bites of food and avoid talking with your mouth full.

To pour or not to pour
At a formal tea, the hostess pours the tea for everyone. Don’t start serving until everyone is seated. At an informal gathering, set out a couple of teapots and let the guests help themselves.

Double dipping
When eating scones, the jam and cream should be placed on your plate first and then spread on your scone, not applied directly from the dishes on the tea table.

Minding your P’s & Q’s
Remember to say “please” and “thank you” when asking others to pass you the sugar, milk, or dishes. At the table, pass items to your right. Sit up straight with your elbows off the table and don’t tip the chair.

There — now aren’t we all more civilized!

Susan

FAQ: Private Tea Parties

T-Party is a happy place. Most often, people come in to celebrate something special — the birthday of a cherished friend, a good report card, a clean bill of health, an acceptance to college, an anniversary, etc. It’s also the perfect spot for a larger private party.

What kinds of private parties do people have at T-Party?
All sorts of parties are held here, like bridal showers, special birthdays, baby showers, Sweet 16 parties, book groups, and business or non-profit gatherings.

How many people can you accommodate?
Our larger tea room seats 16–20 people and the smaller room, which is used for more intimate gatherings, seats 10 adults comfortably. The two rooms together can hold up to 30 people. One or both rooms can be used.

What food is served?
Each guest is served our Grand Afternoon Tea which consists of five tea sandwiches (all different types), one scone with clotted cream and preserves and four assorted mini desserts plus a personal pot of tea. It’s a nice amount of food and guests come away very satisfied.

What time of day can I have my party?
We serve at 12 or 2 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and at 1 or 3 p.m. on Saturday. But for a private affair, we recommend the first seating for your party and we will start earlier to give you adequate time (at least two hours) to have tea and open gifts and such.

What if I want more time than just one seating?
You can book your party for an entire afternoon if you wish for an additional room fee of $250 plus tax and gratuity.

How much are your private parties?
The cost is $24.80 per person which includes tax and gratuity. To book the larger tea room, you’ll need to pay for a minimum of 16 people. For the smaller room, a minimum of 10 is required. (Please note that this policy is not negotiable.)

Why does it cost more for a private party than if I just come in for tea with a friend?
Private parties require more work on our part and often last more than a standard seating. And they’re private, so you will have an entire room to yourself. Therefore the base price is $20 per person plus 6% sales tax and an 18% gratuity. (Once again, this policy is not negotiable.)

What if I have fewer than 16 people but still prefer the larger room?
The fee remains the same for up to 16 people. The same holds true for the smaller room which seats 10. (Again—not negotiable!)

Do you do children’s birthday parties?
Yes. Please take a look at last Friday’s FAQ which has all the details about kid’s parties.

How do I book my party?
Give us a call at (203) 662-9689 and we’ll be happy to check our reservation book for you. To book a private party, we require a 50% non-refundable deposit. We accept Master Card or Visa if you’d like to pay your deposit over the phone. A final head count is needed 48 hours prior to your event with the balance due the day of the party.

T-Party is the perfect venue for private parties. After all, having afternoon tea is not something people do every day. It’s a memorable and unique way to celebrate any special occasion.

Susan

FAQ: Children’s Birthday Tea Parties

This week’s FAQ will answer some questions about having your child’s birthday at T-Party.

Do you offer birthday parties for children?
Yes, we offer children’s tea parties in our special private party room.

At what time are the parties?
Our birthday teas are on Saturdays from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.

How many children can you accommodate?
We allow a maximum of 12 kids, including the party girl.

Is there an age limit?
Guests must be ages 6 and up.

Can girls be younger than that?
Since our special birthday teas are “drop off” parties, we want children to feel comfortable without their parents. Age 6 and up is best as these girls are already in grade school and don’t mind being without mom for a while. (Certainly, the party girl’s parents are welcome to stay!)

What do you serve?
We offer a modified Grand Afternoon Tea consisting of three child-friendly sandwiches, a petit muffin and three mini desserts along with a choice of hot chocolate or pink lemonade. (Please note that we do not serve peanut butter due to food allergies.)

Do I need to bring a cake?
There is no need to bring your own cake. We offer birthday cupcakes served on an elegant glass tiered tray. 

How are the tables set?
Our party tables are set with china dishes and cloth napkins. Plus, at each place setting is a sequin tiara that the girls can keep. The birthday girl will have the seat of honor — our very special pink upholstered party girl chair.

What activities are there to do?
After birthday cupcakes, we offer dress-up clothes and jewelry, tidy art projects and Victorian parlor games for the younger crowd; origami, tea leaf and Tarot card reading for older girls.

Anything else?
We are happy to provide a fun etiquette lesson before or during the meal. Also, for younger groups, we can read an age-appropriate tea related storybook during their meal or art project.

How much does it cost?
Our birthday parties, for up to 12 children, are a set fee of $265 plus sales tax for a total of $280.90.

How much is it if I have less than 12 children?
The price is a set fee and remains the same regardless of the number of guests.

How do I reserve the date for a party?
Give us a call at (203) 662-9689 so we can check our reservation book for you. Once you decide on your date, we require a 50% non-refundable deposit of $140.45 in order to book your party. If you’d like to pay by Master Card or Visa, we can take your deposit over the phone. The balance of $140.45 is due the day of your party.

Do I need to bring anything to the party?
Remember to bring your camera and a goody bag for each girl. Balloons are fine, too, if you wish.

We hope this answers your birthday party questions. We’re both moms here at T-Party and we know how stressful parties can be. We’ll do our best to ensure that your daughter will have a very special birthday tea.

Susan

FAQ: About Our Shop

Did you know that T-Party is not only a tea room but a retail shop as well? We hope this week’s FAQ will answer some questions you may have about that side of our business...

What are your retail shop hours?
We are open Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. and on Saturday from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. We’re closed on Sunday and Monday.

Can I come for tea anytime?
Tea is served at set seatings: Wednesday through Friday at noon or 2 p.m.; Saturday at 1 or 3 p.m. Though we are open for retail sales on Tuesday, we don’t serve tea that day. (Check out last week’s blog titled “FAQ: Tea Time Basics” for everything you need to know about coming for tea.)

Why do you have such unusual hours?
Our shop is run by just us, Cynthia and myself. We are both moms and have set up our hours to accommodate our busy schedules. We need to have time to tend to our families and feel fortunate that T-Party allows us to do so.

What kinds of old things do you sell?
Though we are an antiques shop, we are not a precious kind of place. Most of the things for sale at T-Party are whimsical and cheerful vintage items that have been well loved but still have a lot of life left in them. We don’t take ourselves too seriously here. Our shop is lighthearted and most of all—fun.

Are all of the things you sell old?
We have an array of treasures— from old to new. Our sweet little toy room is stocked with vintage-inspired new toys like jacks, tiddledy winks and marbles. Other new items we offer are Bee House teapots and a variety of tea accessories. It’s an eclectic mix here—you’ll find 1940s floral tablecloths and vintage kitchenware mixed in with new greeting cards and books. And the array of items is ever changing.

Why do you call yourself a “group” shop?
We have a wonderful group of dealers that share the second floor of T-Party. Nancy has a corner devoted to the most amazing collection of vintage handbags and jewelry. Joan loves to bring in dog and horse-related antiques along with one-of-a-kind designer-made sconces. Jennifer of Sis Boom makes the prettiest aprons and pillows. Lynn of Rowayton Ribbons has a wall filled with colorful ribbon belts and handbags. And we add new treasures and dealers all the time.

Do you sell any food to go?
Stop in any Saturday for our delicious scones to go. We offer four different varieties that change weekly, such as cranberry, blueberry, strawberry, apple, raspberry, and even chocolate chip. You’ll find clotted cream in either 1-ounce or 6-ounce jars, too. (As far as large food to go orders, we’ll cover that, along with catering, in another FAQ.)

How can I find you?
We are located at 2 Squab Lane in Darien, Connecticut. But if you use MapQuest or your GPS, you may have difficulty finding us as Squab Lane is a tiny street that runs behind our building and leads you right into the Darien train station parking lot. At this point in time (until because of a large construction project begins in front of our building) it’s easiest to get to us directly off of Route 1, the Boston Post Road. Look for #987 Post Road (about 1/4 mile from exit 11 off of I-95) and you’ll find a driveway beside that building with our sign at the entrance to the drive. Simply turn into that driveway and head toward the back of the parking lot. Turn left onto Brook Street (before the Sugar Bowl Luncheonette.) Go one block to stop sign and turn right onto Grove Street. Go one block and go straight at stop sign directly into our parking lot. We are in a white house with a front porch and a green front door. If you’d like to take Metro-North Commuter Railroad from Manhattan or New Haven, we are a stone’s throw from the Darien station. Once the construction project near us begins, be sure to check our web site at www.tpartyantiques.com where we will update any new directions.

Tune in next Friday for more FAQs.

Susan

FAQ: Tea Time Basics

We’ll be answering some frequently asked questions about T-Party every Friday. Feel free to send us your queries and we’ll be happy to answer them.

When is tea time?
You can join us for afternoon tea Wednesdays through Saturdays. We have set seatings for each day. On Wednesday through Friday, our seatings are at noon or 2 p.m. On Saturday our seatings are at 1 or 3 p.m. We will be happy to accommodate a different time if we have the room. Just ask. Please note that we do not serve tea on Tuesdays.

Why don’t you serve tea on Tuesdays?
Though we are open for retail sales on Tuesday, we don’t serve tea because it’s our shopping and baking day. (If we served on Tuesday, then baking would have to happen on Monday, and that’s our day off.)

Why do you need a day for baking?
We bake all of our delicious desserts and signature scones in our sweet little kitchen, so you know everything is freshly made and truly yummy.

Do I need a reservation?
Reservations are strongly encouraged. We’re small and we’d be sad if you came in and we didn’t have room for you. When you call for your reservation, it really helps us if you let us know whether you want the Grand or Petits tea and if you have any dietary restrictions.

What is the difference between the Grand and Petit Afternoon Teas?
Our Grand Afternoon Tea is our full tea which includes 5 different finger sandwiches, 1 scone (with clotted cream and jam)  and 4 assorted desserts along with a personal pot of tea. The Petit Afternoon Tea is the same scone, 4 desserts and pot of tea (but no sandwiches). Each is a set menu. The only thing you’ll have to select is your choice of our 14 loose teas.

Why do you have a set menu?
We try to keep it simple here at T-Party since there are just two of us running the place. We are a true tea room offering an authentic afternoon tea consisting of sandwiches, scones and desserts. We understand that some of you may want only sandwiches, but that’s not what we offer. If you have a hankering for just a sandwich, we can recommend many good sandwich shops in the area; or we’d be happy to pack up your desserts and scones for you to enjoy or share later.  If you’re only in the mood for a quick cup of tea, there’s a Starbucks right down the street.

How long does tea take?
You can expect your tea time to be about an hour or so We are not a quick in and out kind of place. We want you to linger and enjoy the company of the cherished friend or family member you have brought to tea. We hope to be a respite from your busy day. That said, we pride ourselves on having your tea tray arrive at just about the time your pot of tea is brewed...about three minutes after the teapots are brought to your table!

What does it cost?
The Grand Afternoon Tea is $16.95 per person and the Petit is $11.95 per person. These prices don’t include tax or gratuity. Parties of 8 or more will be charges an 18% gratuity. (Please note that private party prices are higher per person. We’ll cover private parties in another FAQ.)

What if I want more scones or sandwiches?
Additional scones can be ordered a la carte for $1.25 each and additional sandwiches are $1.50 each.

Do you serve both teas at both seatings?
Yes, you can order either the Grand or Petit Teas at either seating.

Do you offer coffee?
No, we serve just tea. (We do have pink lemonade and hot chocolate for kids, though.)

Is there a dress code?
No. We’d like you to be comfortable when visiting T-Party.

We hope this clears up some of your tea time questions. Tune in next Friday for more FAQs.

Susan