DarTEAling Lounge

Tea Time likes to make time to get around and revisit old favorites. Sometimes that's a challenge considering how many new restaurants open in SF every month, but we finally made time to get back to Dartealing Lounge. Our first visit was shortly after they had opened. Over time they've been getting settled in and more comfortable with their Restaurant Persona and when you walk in you see the delightful classy comfort they want to share with all their tea partakers.
DarTEAling continues the tearoom tradition of mis-matched china.

  

The menus can be seen online here, so double check before visiting to see if anything is seasonal or updated.

An assortment of utensils is on the table, 

so you don't have to look for a  server if you drop one

The outside is plain, but don't let that discourage you. The inside is charming.

 

 There are regular tables to sit at.

And there are cosy nooks for a more intimate experience.

 

And most important, the tea and the food.

J.K. usually orders tea without caffeine, but as we were going out that night, she was planning to stay awake for the entertainment anyway, so we ordered two caffeinated choices.

My Brown-Eyed Girl on the left,
Checkmate Mycroft! (with milk added) on the right

We ordered one Covent Garden Afternoon Tea and one Knightsbridge High Tea, so we could experience everything. It all came on one three-tier tray, so here are pictures from both sides. The tray is all one piece, so we couldn't remove each tier to take a picture from the top.

There is a small shop area with tea and china to take home.

After our tea, we went to Help Is On The Way XXIII. at the Herbst Theater. As usual, it was a great show. This year's beneficiaries were Meals on Wheels San Francisco and Positive Resource Center. If you missed the show and want to contribute to a good cause, you can still donate here.

Sunday Brunch at Olea

I finally caught up with Herrick for brunch at Olea on the corner of Larkin and California. We decided on Olea too late to make a reservation, so we had to wait 15 minutes for a table, but that was reasonable, especially since I was five minutes early and Herrick was five minutes late, so I would have been waiting for ten of those minutes anyway. The brunch menu is extensive, but substitutions aren't allowed, which helps the kitchen to get orders out quickly. It's also varied, so there's something for everyone. The sample menu says no reservations for brunch, but when Herrick called, he was told it was too late to make a reservation but half of the tables were unreserved. The white sign in the middle photo instructs those with reservations to wait at the door, and everyone else to line up at the fire hydrant on the corner.

You can't miss the place. The door is on the corner, the name is on all three sides and there are outdoor tables on both streets.

  

And there's an inspirational quote at the door.

There's a special brunch menu.

I had the scrambled egg sandwich. I tried to substitute the Apple Cider Slaw for the Mixed Greens (Tea Time loves slaw!), but unfortunately that wasn't possible.

Scrambled Egg Sandwich on an Acme Rustic Roll 

w/ Tomato Slices, Bacon, Cheddar Cheese. Served with Mixed Greens

Herrick chose the Omelet, which also came with the Mixed Greens.

Omelet;  Fresh Spinach, Green Onions, Mushrooms, Almonds, 

Provolone-Mozzarella Cheese,  w/  mixed greens

The food was excellent, as was the service. We repeatedly emptied our water glasses, due to the heat, but our waiter cheerfully kept them filled, even after we finished out meal.

English Rose Tearoom

Second Sunday Tea at 3 had to move to the third Saturday in February this year due to Valentine's Day falling on the second Sunday of the month, so we decided to change the day as well so we could visit The English Rose Tearoom in Pleasanton, which isn't open on Sundays. This tearoom features an inviting tea themed garden area, gift shop corner and loose leaf teas for sale.

Our beautifully set tables were waiting for us right by the sunny front window. There were six of us that day, so two of the tiny tables were pushed together for the group. The Tearoom encourages diners to experience as many teas as they want, but due to the small size of the tables, limits the selections to two pots on the table at a time. However, these can be swapped out at any time, even if they're not quite empty.

Housemade Lemon Curd, Jelly, and Clotted Cream Yummy!

The tea delicacies were tasty and so generous that some of us couldn't finish them, even though we sat there from 3:00 until 5:30, eating and tasting many different teas. The owner and staff are very accommodating, checking in frequently to ask if we needed our tea pots topped off or wished to change to a new pot. Informal and fun, this tearoom is ready for all comers, large groups or single guests just craving a cuppa. They even offer a tea sample with cookie just for stopping in their storefront.

Standard three tier tea tray full of deliciousness. (gift shop in background)

 The platters were arranged so that each person's selections were together

sweets and scones

fancy savories and fruit

Sammies galore including a pastry cup with goat cheese and honey

Chocolate Caramel Brownie Tea,
with sugar and cream

In addition to delicious beverages and tasty food, we were encouraged to stay after we finished the food and taste even more teas. The English Rose Tearoom has an extensive list of teas for customers to peruse for tasting. Angela most preferred the Creme Brulee, and of course J. K. loved the Chocolate Caramel Brownie. Both are flavored black teas. Other types sampled were Herbal Peppermint, Genmaicha, Partridge in a Pear Tea and Indian Chai just to name a few!

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!