| TEA WITH AN ACCENT |
Accenting the English lifestyle to a tea
By: Diana R. Bowen 06/30/2005
Dining with Diana
Wimbledon! Tennis..strawberries and cream..TEA! Yes, it's time for Wimbledon tennis, and that
means all things English for a couple of weeks.
Every once in a while I feel the urge to partake of English food items in an English atmosphere. I
would prefer to do it in the U.K., but since I can't at the moment I'll settle for offerings in the
Delaware Valley area. (Yes, I do have a list of such places lined up.)
On a rainy/stormy/sunny afternoon (typical Wimbledon weather) I met two coworkers at "Tea
With an Accent" in the Yardleyville Square shopping section on Afton Avenue. (This was formerly
the location of the Pink Petal Tea room.) It was sort of a celebration..."Out and About"
entertainment editor Dawn Hilty and I were welcoming Breanne Cook. Breanne has interned with
"The Advance" in past summers. She just graduated from Penn State.
So there we were, seated at a small round table covered with a pink damask cloth topped with
glass, a candle in glass along with a tiny sugar container and a jam pot. Total class. At the next
table two little girls were "tea partying" with their Mom as Dad arrived, completing the outing. I
asked where their dolls were, but they had opted to leave them home.
Another long table hosted a birthday party group for a young girl with moms, grandmoms and
siblings. The young "ladies" all wore white gloves and it was very obvious that all the children had
been coached on behavior in a tearoom.
Outside a green wrought iron table and chair set enables anyone waiting or just curious to peek
through the paned glass windows into the charming dining area. At the entrance way there is a
Queen Anne-style chair next to a table with brochures and other paraphernalia-another
comfortable stopping place.
Does it look English? Yes and no. A fireplace adds atmosphere along with corner and wall
shelves full of cups and plates, pots of greenery, books, paintings, and tea pots. Visitors can
peek into the rear area where shelves of teas reside, along with the kitchen. Table lamps have
tassels and fringe while pale cream curtains are accompanied by swagged valances. A grapevine
wreath sports a house figure in the middle. The "no" part of "English" is because many sites in
the U.K. look like regular eateries-with "no gussying up." A wonderful Devon Cream Tea can be
had in almost any facade in the West Country.
Owner/chef Sharon Titterton has brought her English expertise to Bucks County with a wonderful
flair with her love for tea and its accompaniments. Originally from the village of Woodstock in
Oxfordshire County, Sharon had been in the U.S. for 20 years. She offers an education in tea in
addition to lunch, afternoon teas and high teas.
We three all had different choices, both in lunch and teas. Dawn chose the London Tea ($14.95).
This was a choice of quiche (cheddar and broccoli or Spinach) with the signature salad (melon,
grapes and greens) with a warm sugar dusted scone and choice of tea. Dawn went for the
spinach quiche. It was very spinachy with subtle melted cheeses. There was bleu cheese mixed
in and she could have had nuts, but declined. Dawn, not quite feeling up to par, asked our server
for advice on tea. She recommended the Organic Green Tea to Dawn. Hand picked from
Southern India, the "blend delivers the benefits associated with green tea and ginkgo, along with
the bright taste of natural citrus."
Breanne decided to try the "Victorian Tea" ($17.50 with dessert, $14.50 without). This consisted
of the soup of the day, which was Italian Wedding Soup, the signature salad, a variety of tea
sandwiches, plus the scone and pot of tea. Breanne's tea choice was Chai, a spice milk tea from
India. The soup, which I also had, was thick with spinach, meat balls, squared carrots, pasta,
chopped veggies and herbs. It was delicious! We were afraid that with the warmer weather the
soup wouldn't be on offer. The only item not available was the Shepherd's Pie.
The tea sandwiches included a cream and olive pate, smoked turkey, chicken salad and
cucumber and sour cream. They were petite and tasty. They were served on a tiered serving dish.
My choice was the Chicken Salad Croissant ($16.50, $13.50 without dessert). The croissant just
melted in my mouth, and the chicken salad was mixed with crushed almonds and pineapple. The
signature salad was fruity and, as I mentioned above, the soup was excellent too. The combo of
the croissant and salad was very, very flavorful. I would love to have the recipe. My tea selection
was White Earl Grey, a "new tea that combines Chinese Mutan White tea with lemony natural
Bergamot." I also took sliced lemon with my tea. Something new, something to try again.
Each of us had our own individual tea pots. Before choosing our teas we were presented with a
"tea brochure" detailing the types of tea available and their history including Black Tea, most
often seen in the U.S., with Darjeeling, Earl Grey Supreme, English Breakfast and Lapsang
Souchong (Smoky); Blended Black Tea with Cranberry Autumn, Harvest Blend, Vanilla and
more; Green Tea, White Tea, Red Tea and Fruit Infusions.
One special tea is "Lily's Delight," a special blend created by Titterton of fruity black tea with a
hint of lemony bergamot as well as select Chinese black teas. It is named for her King Charles
Spaniel.
The scones for the day were cranberry and lemon which we topped with the jam and cream. In
addition, we were offered a selection of Titterton's dessert concoctions to try and comment upon.
They included a tiny lemon Madelaine, lemon curd tartlet, Earl Grey tea bread and petit fours. A
treat for the day!
Also on the menu are the "Princess Teas" for children 10 and under ($9). the youngsters can
choose between tea, lemonade or hot chocolate with their sandwiches and desserts. Other
selections include: an English Ploughman's Lunch ($12.95); Shepherd's Pie ($13.95); Salad with
an Accent (10.95); Afternoon Tea ($25); and English Cream Tea ($7.50). Many selections, many
prices.
Go ahead, indulge yourself and friends for an elegant afternoon of "a proper tea."
©Newtown Advance 2005
Return to Reviews Page
By: Diana R. Bowen 06/30/2005
Dining with Diana
Wimbledon! Tennis..strawberries and cream..TEA! Yes, it's time for Wimbledon tennis, and that
means all things English for a couple of weeks.
Every once in a while I feel the urge to partake of English food items in an English atmosphere. I
would prefer to do it in the U.K., but since I can't at the moment I'll settle for offerings in the
Delaware Valley area. (Yes, I do have a list of such places lined up.)
On a rainy/stormy/sunny afternoon (typical Wimbledon weather) I met two coworkers at "Tea
With an Accent" in the Yardleyville Square shopping section on Afton Avenue. (This was formerly
the location of the Pink Petal Tea room.) It was sort of a celebration..."Out and About"
entertainment editor Dawn Hilty and I were welcoming Breanne Cook. Breanne has interned with
"The Advance" in past summers. She just graduated from Penn State.
So there we were, seated at a small round table covered with a pink damask cloth topped with
glass, a candle in glass along with a tiny sugar container and a jam pot. Total class. At the next
table two little girls were "tea partying" with their Mom as Dad arrived, completing the outing. I
asked where their dolls were, but they had opted to leave them home.
Another long table hosted a birthday party group for a young girl with moms, grandmoms and
siblings. The young "ladies" all wore white gloves and it was very obvious that all the children had
been coached on behavior in a tearoom.
Outside a green wrought iron table and chair set enables anyone waiting or just curious to peek
through the paned glass windows into the charming dining area. At the entrance way there is a
Queen Anne-style chair next to a table with brochures and other paraphernalia-another
comfortable stopping place.
Does it look English? Yes and no. A fireplace adds atmosphere along with corner and wall
shelves full of cups and plates, pots of greenery, books, paintings, and tea pots. Visitors can
peek into the rear area where shelves of teas reside, along with the kitchen. Table lamps have
tassels and fringe while pale cream curtains are accompanied by swagged valances. A grapevine
wreath sports a house figure in the middle. The "no" part of "English" is because many sites in
the U.K. look like regular eateries-with "no gussying up." A wonderful Devon Cream Tea can be
had in almost any facade in the West Country.
Owner/chef Sharon Titterton has brought her English expertise to Bucks County with a wonderful
flair with her love for tea and its accompaniments. Originally from the village of Woodstock in
Oxfordshire County, Sharon had been in the U.S. for 20 years. She offers an education in tea in
addition to lunch, afternoon teas and high teas.
We three all had different choices, both in lunch and teas. Dawn chose the London Tea ($14.95).
This was a choice of quiche (cheddar and broccoli or Spinach) with the signature salad (melon,
grapes and greens) with a warm sugar dusted scone and choice of tea. Dawn went for the
spinach quiche. It was very spinachy with subtle melted cheeses. There was bleu cheese mixed
in and she could have had nuts, but declined. Dawn, not quite feeling up to par, asked our server
for advice on tea. She recommended the Organic Green Tea to Dawn. Hand picked from
Southern India, the "blend delivers the benefits associated with green tea and ginkgo, along with
the bright taste of natural citrus."
Breanne decided to try the "Victorian Tea" ($17.50 with dessert, $14.50 without). This consisted
of the soup of the day, which was Italian Wedding Soup, the signature salad, a variety of tea
sandwiches, plus the scone and pot of tea. Breanne's tea choice was Chai, a spice milk tea from
India. The soup, which I also had, was thick with spinach, meat balls, squared carrots, pasta,
chopped veggies and herbs. It was delicious! We were afraid that with the warmer weather the
soup wouldn't be on offer. The only item not available was the Shepherd's Pie.
The tea sandwiches included a cream and olive pate, smoked turkey, chicken salad and
cucumber and sour cream. They were petite and tasty. They were served on a tiered serving dish.
My choice was the Chicken Salad Croissant ($16.50, $13.50 without dessert). The croissant just
melted in my mouth, and the chicken salad was mixed with crushed almonds and pineapple. The
signature salad was fruity and, as I mentioned above, the soup was excellent too. The combo of
the croissant and salad was very, very flavorful. I would love to have the recipe. My tea selection
was White Earl Grey, a "new tea that combines Chinese Mutan White tea with lemony natural
Bergamot." I also took sliced lemon with my tea. Something new, something to try again.
Each of us had our own individual tea pots. Before choosing our teas we were presented with a
"tea brochure" detailing the types of tea available and their history including Black Tea, most
often seen in the U.S., with Darjeeling, Earl Grey Supreme, English Breakfast and Lapsang
Souchong (Smoky); Blended Black Tea with Cranberry Autumn, Harvest Blend, Vanilla and
more; Green Tea, White Tea, Red Tea and Fruit Infusions.
One special tea is "Lily's Delight," a special blend created by Titterton of fruity black tea with a
hint of lemony bergamot as well as select Chinese black teas. It is named for her King Charles
Spaniel.
The scones for the day were cranberry and lemon which we topped with the jam and cream. In
addition, we were offered a selection of Titterton's dessert concoctions to try and comment upon.
They included a tiny lemon Madelaine, lemon curd tartlet, Earl Grey tea bread and petit fours. A
treat for the day!
Also on the menu are the "Princess Teas" for children 10 and under ($9). the youngsters can
choose between tea, lemonade or hot chocolate with their sandwiches and desserts. Other
selections include: an English Ploughman's Lunch ($12.95); Shepherd's Pie ($13.95); Salad with
an Accent (10.95); Afternoon Tea ($25); and English Cream Tea ($7.50). Many selections, many
prices.
Go ahead, indulge yourself and friends for an elegant afternoon of "a proper tea."
©Newtown Advance 2005
Return to Reviews Page
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