Take time out for tea this spring. There is a wide array of options to enjoy at local hotels and tea rooms, whether you’re with your aunt, granddaughter, mother, daughter, friends, or all of the above. The Saint Paul Hotel (350 Market St., St. Paul, 651-228-3860) offers creatively themed teas, but be sure to make a reservation if you want a seat in their elegantly updated lobby. The Avalon Tea Room (2179 Fourth St., White Bear Lake, 651- 653-3822) features an adjoining pastry shop, and Aprille’s Showers Tea Room (120 N. Main St., Stillwater, 651-430-2004) offers afternoon tea amid a wonderful collection of dolls. The Ivy Hotel (1115 Second Ave. S., Minneapolis, 612-353-3500) now offers a contemporary afternoon tea that features an avant-garde menu from Porter and Frye’s new chef, Joan Ida; for a particularly opulent experience add a glass of Champagne or sherry to the Harney & Sons tea. And at Peter and Linda Quinn’s Café Latte (850 Grand Ave., St. Paul, 651-224-5887), tea awaits you every day in the back room.
Of course, you could always host a tea party at home. You’ll find a huge variety of teas from Mrs. Kelly’s tea collection available at the Mill City Farmers Market and the Minneapolis Farmers Market, as well as local food shops. Do check out the “bath tea,” too—yes, it’s for the tub.
Sue Zelickson is host of WCCO Radio’s Food for Thought.
