Afternoon Tea With SST@3

Second Sunday Tea at 3 is a group that meets once a month for afternoon tea, usually on the second Sunday.

In November, we went to Crown & Crumpet's Tea Stop Cafe on Post Street, in the New People building across from Japan Town. There are more substantial items available, but we all had the afternoon tea.

The full tea tray before we demolished it

Sandwiches served with salad

Scones and Crumpets, of course

An assortment of sweets for dessert

The full menu is available online

The Famous Teapot Clock

A steaming cuppa

Separate Tea Menu

On January 8 we went to Lovejoy's, now under new management, but still the same excellent tea service. The menu is available online.

J.K., Cynthia, Sue, Sierra, Susi, Candice 

Tea for One  

High Tea for four

The Queen's Tea includes everything on the High Tea menu, plus a crumpet and a petit four. Scone and crumpet are too much for some of us, but the petits fours can be ordered separately. When we were almost finished, our waiter brought us a tray of crumpets because they had made too many and didn't want them to go to waste. We somehow managed to polish them off!

Close-up of the Checkerboard Shortbread Tea Biscuit

Top Tier For One

 

Everybody's teapot is different

Lovejoy's is known for
its mis-matched china

Decaf chocolate truffle tea
with milk and sugar

Sandwich and Crumpet

     

The walls are festooned with tea towels and thank-you
notes from children who enjoyed the tea service

Our May outing was to Imperial Tea Court at San Francisco's Ferry Building. Cynthia, Susi and Sierra took the ferry over from the East Bay. It was a nice, sunny day, so I walked from home. Cynthia had arrived early to check out Dandelion Chocolate's new Ferry Building location, but unfortunately they had a water leak and had to close the kiosk. I went by after our tea experience and they were open. I was no longer hungry enough for a Frozen Hot Chocolate, but I did buy some bars to take home.

If you prefer a cold drink with your tea snacks, there are Iced Tea and Ginger Ale sections on the menu.

Hot tea is served in a heavy red teapot, with a white porcelain cup.

The menu includes both Dim Sum and Entrees. The Shrimp Dumplings are served with a bowl of dipping sauce.

Shrimp Dumplings, seasoned with Jasmine Green Tea

There are more substantial entrees for larger appetites.

Teahouse Spicy Noodles

Fresh Steamed Buns and Tea Egg

Close Up of peeled Tea Egg

Vegetarian Steamed Bun

Cross Section of Vegetarian Steamed Bun

Pork Buns

Home-Style Curry

Imperial Tea Court is a delightful experience. You can sit at the outside edge, as we did, and watch the crowds go by, or move inside for a more private tea.

Holiday Tea at Haas-Lilienthal House

Update 2022: Holiday tea at Haas-Lillenthal this season included tea sandwiches (chicken asparagus, salmon, cucumber and pear with stilton) catered from Lovejoy's. Tea choices included Numi's Mint, Earl Grey and Jasmine. For a $20 upgrade you could enjoy unlimited mimosas. 

Tea Time sat at a table with strangers and enjoyed a nice reminisce about Tal y Tara and other tea spots in SF. Scones were house baked ginger or cranberry served with lemon curd, Devon cream and a delicious berry jam. Desserts were Christmas cookies including gingerbread and macaroons. 

The tour was after the meal and everyone was encouraged to sit and enjoy themselves in the warm cozy atmosphere. 

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Looking for a Holiday Tea? You may find that Crown and Crumpet has a delightful experience waiting for you. Either visit their Tea Stop Cafe in Japantown, or decide to splurge on their current Holiday treat. Tea Time chose to enjoy their offerings at the Haas-Lillenthal House. A posh venture with a set menu, but plenty of teas to choose from. It was a great chance to see this historical house and enjoy a spot of tea with company.

Lovely and classic table settings.

lemon curd, clotted cream and jam

Sconerific!

Savory tea sandwiches and treats

Can't resist sweets

Yummy cuppa

Our group enjoyed afternoon tea prior to the house tour. A few facts:
"William Haas entrusted Bavarian architect Peter R. Schmidt and contractors McCann & Biddell to build his home in 1886. Three generations of Haas and Lilienthal descendants lived at 2007 Franklin Street, after which the house was donated to Heritage. In keeping this house alive, Heritage is helping to educate people about the City’s architectural legacy and why it is important to preserve and protect it. The Haas-Lilienthal House was opened to the public for tours in 1972. It is the only intact private home of the period that is open regularly as a museum, complete with authentic furniture and artifacts."

A wide variety of personalities ready to relax and enjoy afternoon tea.

Our Hostess from Crown and Crumpet in her period finery!

exit through the gift shop

but only after you check out the preserved laundry room (with modern conveniences added in)

and the train room!

choo-choo!

The Haas-Lillenthal house is still hosting Holiday Tea this year, partnering with the SF Heritage club. There's plenty of time to make a reservation with Haas-Lillenthal, Crown and Crumpet, the Fairmont, the Palace or event in the Oak Room. Happy Holidays from Tea Time Adventures! We hope you enjoy many relaxing Holiday Teas during this festive season and let us know your favorite. Especially if we haven't been there yet to try it out.

Happy Holidays!