Newish Places all Around

at Tapioca Story

 I'm starting to see more tea-worthy places in my neighborhoods (home and work), and that should be a happy thing. Yes, it is - my 'Wish You Were Here' posts testify to that.  In Astoria, it's a double-edged sword, though, because usually when I start to like a place, it gets trendy...which brings on the hipster types.  Yes, business is good, but now it's crowded and pretentious.  I'm fine with that when it comes to places that focus on coffee.  I am not the hugest coffee drinker - certainly not an aficionado, and it seems, sometimes, that the hipster element enhances that particular beverage.   Gregory's Coffee (46th between 5th and Madison) is an example of this.  The bespectacled logo was enough to keep me away for a while, but when I finally caved one day with Bonnie, her enthusiasm gave it merits, and I've been back a number of times since with her (it doesn't hurt that their donuts are worth walking off.) 

When it comes to tea, I'm a little reluctant to share my thoughts on recent additions.  Leli's Bakery opened in the winter on 30th Avenue in Astoria, and though their tea is served in bags, they're the better bags - and you can have it in a teapot.  Their baked items, both sweet and savory, are wonderful accompaniments, and in my opinion superior to Martha's Bakery.  I mean, come on Martha - first you have to be seated by a host, and next you must pay gobs of cash for a mediocre cookie and drink?  That's the thing, though.  When a place is popular, I'm glad to see it's gonna stick around, but then what? 

Next, there's Tapioca Story.  A bona fide bubble tea shop is not common in my part of Queens, so I'm enthusiastic, even if it's not as close to home as Leli's.  The tea I tried - a rose black with the tapioca pearls, was just what it should be, though hopefully they'll get a/c during the summer months.  There's not a lot of seating, but what can you do with a small space?

The other recent opening surprised me - how did I never hear there would be a second Radiance?  I know I was less than happy with my last visit, but I was still pleased to see the location by 50th and 3rd.  After all, I may not have the constant funds to lunch here (never say never), but a cup to go in the middle of the day is not out of the question. 

Eight years!

I used to have a remarkable date memory, but it seems to have dwindled a bit.  I'm hoping it just means I have things of significance filling my head, but maybe that's not worth exploring.  Anyway, last week this blog hit its eight year anniversary, and though it's gone through many changes, it is still essentially the same.  I can't really narrow it down to a Tea Blog or a Book Blog, a Cat Person blog, and certainly not a Fashion Blog, but that's fine with me.  As I've said many times before, it's closest to a Tea Blog in that it's what I talk about most here, but it's more of a Tea Time Blog.  If it were a physical entity, it would be my living room, where I invite people in, offer them tea and cakes, and talk about books, news, pens, music, whatever.  My cats come wandering in, sniffing around or jumping onto an available lap.  Sometimes I gripe about whatever's been annoying me lately, and my guests might respond in kind.  Then I'll whip out my albums, and everyone will be subjected to my latest snaps from London or wherever I've been wandering.  Eventually our time together ends, and it's 'til next time! 

I hope you've all enjoyed yourselves.  Come back soon!

Tea Gallery: Tea House, Hu Yongkai

Through the magic of Pinterest, I am discovering new artists almost daily.  And I keep finding 'tea artists' like Hu Yongkai.  This particular work, 'Tea House', is one I can truly identify with.  Do I even need to say why? 

Tea Gallery: Fred Calleri

What's got her riveted?  Or is she pouring tea for an imaginary friend?  Maybe her cold meds are throwing off her aim (reddish nose.) I'm not sure, but from the little I've seen, I'd like to get to know more of Fred Calleri's work.

Favorite Book + Pairing: February 2013

A week at home with the throat had only one silver lining for me:  I was able to finish four books, making my total books read in 2013: 13!  Usually it's hard for me to concentrate on reading when I'm sick, but, though there was the painful swallowing, and lack of sleep, I didn't feel exhausted.  I didn't even lose my appetite, which is both a shame and a good thing.  So I snacked, drank loads of tea and gulped down book after book.

It was, as usual, difficult to pick a favorite.  I'm going to go with the one that fed into an early-year obsession for me: Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey: The Lost Legacy of Highclere Castle by the Countess of Carnarvon.  Characters come and go on Downton Abbey, but the backdrop, that big museum of a home, keeps standing.  Of course, it's not just the setting of the wildly popular drama, but the inspiration for some of the storylines.  There's big differences as well, though only those who have seen the second season of Downton might know what I'm talking about.  Lady Almina, wife of the 5th Earl of Carnarvon (the one behind the discovery of King Tutankhamun's tomb), was the driving force behind the conversion of Highclere into a hospital for WWI soldiers.  That, to me, was her selling point.  Otherwise, the money she brought into the family certainly helped, but that's just par for the course in that time period. 

This was a quick read for me, mostly because I was already familiar with the time period.  Still, it helped to pull the fiction and the reality together for me.  Descriptions of the lifestyle and work of the staff was probably my favorite section of the book. The only thing I would have added was more of what happened to Lady Almina after the Earl died, as well as how the rest of the family fared afterwards.  But I'd say if you like the show and you also like to read, then read this one.

Now for tea pairings:  I'm going to draw completely from Season 3 of Downton Abbey with two picks:
First, an herbal: Raspberry Leaf Infusion: Why?  It supposedly aids in pregnancy, though I doubt it'd have helped Lady Sybil.
Next, Irish Breakfast Tea: The Branson storyline (we can call him Branson again, thanks Dowager) was an important one for the past two seasons, and now even more so since he's a widower with new responsibilities.  In line with this, the tea must be sipped in good china, reflecting the juxtaposition of his life as former staff turned Family.

Have a nice weekend!

Crazy Long Walk: All Over London!

I've made all kinds of references to that day I really really walked in London, aka The Day I Kept Falling Down.  This was on the Thursday, though technically I did the most walking on Saturday.  How do I know this?  I've been wearing a tracker on my shoes since November (it's work-related), and it reported 24,027 steps for Saturday and only (!) 20,996 for Thursday.  It felt like more on Thursday, I think, since I covered a lot of territory, and got a little lost more times that I can count.  In the early part of the day, though, I knew exactly where I was going. 

In the morning, I got off at the Embankment tube station, which is one of my favorites, as it's got all kinds of views to welcome you.  I covered the Strand, another beloved street of mine, and then I found myself on Fleet Street.  It was only a matter of time before I was standing in front of St. Paul's Cathedral.  From there I crossed the Millennium Bridge.  This might be the first time I'd done that, though my memory is not perfect with respect to bridges. 

The bridge itself isn't gorgeous, but it has enough postcard-worthy views to make this London fanatic swoon!

The Cannon Street Railway Bridge. 

The new Globe Theatre.  Someday I'd like to see a play here.  I think it would also be fun to walk on that little 'beach', but it was too cold in December.

Looking back at St Paul's.

 

This big mirror is outside the Tate Modern.  I did go into the museum, but what I saw there didn't float my boat.  

When I stayed near Woolwich in 1998, we'd take the train in to Charing Cross Station and we'd always see this building with its 'Take Courage' sign.  This is the first time I actually stood right near it.

It was a treat to wander around Borough Market - I don't know why I'd never come here before.  What a foodie paradise!  And there's 'The Shard' asserting itself already.

Southwark Cathedral.  I only took this picture because it was on an episode of Doctor Who.

Taxidermied birds watch over the bustling street.

 

Later, as I got lost trying to find the British Museum, I found this lovely bookshop, with a most bookish name.

What I took from this day:  Just caffeinate, wear comfortable shoes and keep walking.  You're bound to see plenty of excellent old and new London.  It never really gets old to me!

I Haven't Left London Yet!

It's been two months since I was actually in London - it really does go fast!  I think I have a few posts left in me, though.

There was an exhibit at the British Museum about, well, what the above sign says.  I made it to the museum on my Really Crazy Long Walk day, and I have to admit I didn't really take it in the way I'd have liked to.  There's just so much one can pack in, so this was more of a token visit than anything.  It's kind of a shame, too, since it was not crowded at all when I was there.  It was worth it, anyway, to see all the lovely teapots and corresponding pieces.  Of course, the exhibit also had vessels for sake drinking, and water receptacles, but it will come as no surprise that here I will share the tea things.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Favorite Book + Pairing: January 2013

I've been shamefully indolent with my book-related posts.  I used to at least cover my Year of Reading, but even that fell by the wayside in 2012.  Well, let's rectify this in 2013 by picking a favorite of the month!

I completed 6 books this month, which is pretty good for January.  Multiplied by 12, I could possibly read 72 books this year.  Also, most Januaries have not turned out well for my reading record.  It's surprising; you'd think it being an indoor month I'd go nuts. 

Turns out I'm already breaking the rules, because my 'book' this month is not one, but a trilogy, the Leviathan novels by Scott Westerfeld.  It was a rare foray into the world of Steampunk, even though these were not set in Victorian London; instead it was an alternative look at World War I.  Archduke Ferdinand and his wife do get assassinated, but in this story they are survived by one son, Alek, who, with a small party of loyal men, flee Austria and eventually find themselves on a British airship, the Leviathan.  This airship is actually alive, as the British empire are 'Darwinists', who make technology and weaponry out of genetically modified animals.  This makes them the natural enemy of Alek's 'Clanker' nation, who are joined also by the Germans.  He befriends a midshipman, 'Dylan' Sharp, who is actually Deryn Sharp, a girl who really likes to fly.  Adventure ensues.

This isn't necessarily my kind of reading, since there was enough technical detail to bring me close to boredom, but the premise and the imagination of the story kept me reading.  Well, obviously, since after Leviathan I wolfed down Behemoth and Goliath in quick succession.  Also, the cross dressing element reminded me a bit of a Shakespeare comedy, which I have no problem with at all.  And my compliments to Keith Thompson, whose drawings really helped bring the action to life, as well as all the crazy 'beasties'!

It's hard to pin down one kind of tea that would pair with these books, but you could do something like a British blend in a metallic teapot.  That should bring out some of the proper flavor.  Or just choose by whatever region the scene is set in at the moment.  Between the Ottoman Empire, Japan, Russia, and New York you have plenty of options!

Books and Cake! In London!

 

 

It's been some time since I did a Tea + Book pairing.  While this isn't specifically a pairing post, it does sound down the truth of the matter: Teatime and Booktime are usually one and the same for me.  That's why, many years ago now, I got excited when bookstores began to boast a cafe in house more frequently. Of course, in recent years we've seen a demise in the Borders/Barnes and Noble model, so it's more of a challenge to find this pairing.  That's why I made a point of coming to the London Review Book Shop as soon as I was aware of it.

It wasn't as easy as it should have been, because it's near the British Museum, a place I had the hardest time  finding for some reason.  And by the time I did, I was reeling with hunger and cold, so my first stop was Wagamama.  I still had a sweet tooth, and a sense of entitlement after walking one of my craziest long walks ever, at least in London.

As you can see from where I was sitting, it's by no means a frilly, girly place, though the cakes had Alice in Wonderland-themed tags.  Their selection was a real treat, though.  I ended up having a Gluten Free Pistachio Rose cake, with a Blackcurrant infusion.  I'm not always a fan of GF cake - it can be dry and crumbly, but when it's done right, it's done right!  And this cake was just right.

It wasn't crowded, but the staff was busy enough.  There was a healthy mix of people, and no obnoxious conversation to sully my chill out time.  I caught up on my travel journalling, which wasn't always as easy as I thought it'd be on my own.

The bookshop itself was brilliant.  That's not hard to be in London - even their chain bookstores are thrilling for me.  There's just enough difference in titles than New York to make me wish I could spend an extra week just among the stacks.  Still, I wouldn't want to spoil myself.  Then it was onward to another crazy long walk, but not before I took a header outside the neighboring rubber stamp shop.

I really fall for those kind of places...

BB Bakery: Covent Garden Branch

Before I leave for London, I always do a bit of research to see if there's any new tea spots to check out.  Or, of course, if there's any older spots that I want to finally get to.  It's easier now, with so many online sources, but in a way that makes it more complicated, as now I have to narrow it down, or make sure a particularly wonderful place has not fallen between the cracks.  In the end, no matter how much I research and plan, I don't manage to hit all the spots I'd like to.  Mainly it's a matter of time restriction, but also, it's not exactly cost effective to go everywhere.  

This particular trip, I was also weighed down by less than stellar health.  That I managed to get two afternoon teas in is only explained by the fact that I'm not entirely reasonable.  Still, I only made a dent in my tearooms-to-do-list, and that's fine.  Like I said before, I love having something to look forward to next time.    
And, something unexpected happened.

On Friday, after I'd spent a long time in the Tate (more on that another time), I headed to the West End and wandered around Covent Garden.  Anyone who knows me well has heard me rave about Covent Garden, which to me has always been one of the most charming tourist traps on the planet.  But it wasn't so charming during the holiday shopping season.  No, it was overrun by people who have no concept of personal space, and I just kept getting crankier and crankier.  I mean, I didn't even go back to Covent Garden for the rest of my trip, which is highly unusual.  As I was edging slowly away from the area, though, I found BB Bakery, which I'd never heard of before, and was immediately drawn to its window displays of macarons.  Sometimes I like to stick to the classics, and this place looked like it could be an upstart, but I was hungry and tabled my snobbery for a time.

I'm glad I did.  From the beginning, I was pleased.  The chairs were upholstered and comfy, and I could have spent hours in my high-backed stripey chair in the corner (I always sit near walls when I can - I'd  prefer a draft to a table in the middle of a room.)

The menu was extensive - there was so much I would have loved to try, but it will come as no surprise that I picked afternoon tea.  It turns out they usually require a reservation for this, but as they weren't too busy they made an exception.

I sat near a couple whose conversation sounded like it was straight out of an Alexander McCall Smith novel.  Do all posh British people speak of risotto?

Here's the spread:

Pretty teacup!  That's what I'm talkin' about! 

Gasp!  Open tomatoes!  I removed them with a napkin.  It seemed unseemly to ask the staff to do this for me when I hadn't mentioned my aversion in the first place.  Of course, now I can barely stand to look at these pics.  Once removed, by the way, the sandwiches were wonderful - the bread was a bit rough - I think that's a French tea sandwich thing.

The scones were ever so homemade tasting.  The macarons were delightful, as were the cakes, though sadly I couldn't finish them. 

The English have a fondness for strawberries, I think.  They're on everything.  I loved this set (how cute is the creamer?)

I have sooo many tea places to try still, but I might try BB again.  I'd also recommend this to any tea lover or Francophile, or anyone who likes girly places that aren't sickeningly girly.

Twinings: A Visit

This was not my first time at Twinings shop on the Strand.  It won't be my last, if I can help it.

Most of the time, when I encounter Twinings tea, it's in the grocery store, with rare exception in bagged form, and with a small variety on offer.  In my early tea buying days, this was the 'fancy' tea, since it looked kind of royal and was inevitably better than the Lipton or store brands.  Since then, I've discovered so many different and amazing brands and blends that I only once in a while buy Twinings, and that's usually one of those black tea variety packs for the office.  In my London visit, I also bought a bagged tea, but it was in a pretty tin and was Lavender Earl Grey, which I don't think I'd tried before.  It is nice, I'm glad to report.

The only loose tea I'd seen previously in Twinings was the occasional tin that surprised me in Trade Fair or even Key Food, but it is never a constant.  I'm glad to see that London's shop has a decent variety of loose teas, and a tasting table!

The Lavender and Rose teas blends are proudly displayed to your right as you enter...you can also pick up individual tea bags to make your own little sampler.

The shop is also a museum of sorts.  Twinings is rightly proud of their history.  Oh the many types of tins and teapots!  I'm gorgeous-ed out.

Cats and tea..forever together.

This teapot is kind of funny: early gift captioning I guess.  It kind of reminds me of when Dwight from the Office gives Michael a Jersey with 'From Dwight' on the back. 

Stuff I could use in my tea lovers' collection.

Try some First Flush Darjeeling!  Mark was knowledgeable, and helpful.  He suggested I visit the Museum of London: yet another destination for my 'Next-Time' list!

Til next time!