Tag Archives: Valentine

“Love is like dew that falls on both nettles and lilies.” ~Swedish Proverb

Thanks to Queen Victoria, cialis generic viagra we now have a hunger chasing remedy of delicate treats served with tea, viagra canada hospital long after lunch is over and several hours before dinner. During her era, afternoon tea became as much appreciated for its social aspect as it was for its meal. Though truly, its purpose was to keep her from going on a rampage with a meal that was to be served much later. I don’t blame her! Today, the same custom can prevent us from making that quick dive into the bread and butter when it arrives. Even when done solo, there is something about afternoon tea that is very soothing and grounding, possibly from the fact that we feel nourished and pampered with so much attention to detail.

The prettiness of such delicate serves is also very entertaining. It’s enough to keep me smiling given a glass of champagne to have some kind of bubbly company. However, it does take service and some effort. Reflective of a high society ritual, the customary afternoon break usually boasts of beauty and price diflucan elegance at its tables, including its attendees. While to most, it has relaxed to suit modern day living, I can still remember the authenticity of invitations from friends, during the years I lived in Hong Kong when it was a British colony.

Surrounded by so much culture, afternoon tea has long been a past time shared between me and friends, Chinese and Europeans alike. From the years I spent living right next to the Hong Kong Country Club, I often looked forward to it. It was a ritual amongst friends, held at each other’s homes, the famous Chinese tea houses that offered the most exotic teas served with dim sum, or at other hotels like The Repulse Bay and The Mandarin Oriental where the sandwiches were oh so terribly British. And by that, I just mean that the sandwiches were made of the usual tiny cucumbers lined with very thinly spread butter and foie gras on delicate white bread.

In contrast, tea times with my German friends would offer coffee alternatives served with thick German cakes and champagne cordials, served over amazing Meisen China, however still combined with the fanciest collection of Victorian and Georgian silver. Those were the days that were seriously lived in routine of style and nolvadex exoriortech.co.uk cultural expectation with the friends I had. My best friend during those wonderful years was Ulrike von Bienenstamm who owned the best silver shop in town. We have since parted and moved away from Hong Kong. I miss her.

Today, I still seek the places wherever proper tea is served. This has somehow become a part of my life, and if anything, to remind me of wonderful libation spent in politeness, grace, and with everything oh so lovely!  I will seek it today, even when traveling on my own.  The last time I was in Bangkok, in August of 2011, I sat at The Four Seasons Hotel in their newly redecorated lobby for a treat I heartily enjoyed.  The mood was plush brought by its contemporary and avant garde furniture with new rich fabrics of strong colors.  Combined with the unusually warm tones from Thai sculpture, artwork and paintings, it created quite an impact.  It was unmistakably a 20th century experience of being in the present times of modern Thailand where the service, one can assume, was as authentic as can be expected from a five star hotel.  Without the usual lace and chintz, the ritual wasn’t short of its olden days flair.  Orchids replaced Victorian florals, but Queen Victoria would have loved it just the same.  The fact that this was Thailand made it for even better care, because the culture knows nothing less than acknowledging the nobility in you, (and themselves in you) by Buddhist belief and practice.  Queen or not, you felt like one.  You’ll be in great hands for a luxurious tête-à-tête at this venue.

Although my favorite is Earl Grey with a dollop of Devonshire cream, I ordered lemongrass tea which came piping hot, as it always should. The setting offered a wet and fragrant hand towel, neatly rolled on a bamboo tray, to prepare my hands with pristine value of cleanliness. As pictured above, the menu included classic savories of the following:

Brie de Maux (cucumber sandwich)

Salmon brioche with yuzu cream and xenical australia price dill

King prawn, egg and poppy seed croissant

Peppered ham and tomato in grain bread canape

Frittata with figs and spicy chorizo and

Smoked chicken with mango salsa served in a milk bun

As for the Pastries:

Chestnut Profiterole with Chantilly

Strawberry Romanoff with cassis jelly

Mango tartlet with vanilla patissier and lavender truffle

Financier pastry with berry yolk and rose petal

Caramel Lingot- a praline sable

Madeleine with candied violet

Macaroon with raspberry and poppy seed

Plain and nolvadex buy Raisin Scones with fresh cream and preserves.

Then in December just before Christmas, I treated the girls (who dated my sons) to a Teddy Bear Tea offered by The Westgate in downtown San Diego. While it offered a full afternoon of entertainment with Santa, Mrs. Clause, a juggler and a story teller, the tea itself was an opportunity to chat with each other and have some simple fun around little presents.

The table and setting was soft and pretty with natural light peering through from behind us, by a large window. It was as sweet as I imagined it to be, but short of the harpist who usually plays during normal afternoon teas.

The event was designed to include activities for children whose parents brought them along for the Christmas holiday spirit. The kitchen was a bit frazzled, probably by the size of its turnout, with sandwiches getting dry before it reached its tables. But we had a fun time and since talked about doing it again. Only next time, at my home.

They joked that the highlight was storytelling, having lined themselves up with the other little children, after tea was served. No, they did not sit on Santa’s lap! Haha! We then hit the mall in Fashion Valley where we shopped for presents to give to our guys, and then had dinner afterwards. Below are the rest of the photos from that day.

And onto other places for tea, I also recommend the Tower Suite Cafe at the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas.

Here is what composed their trays in January of 2012:

Smoked salmon and chive cream cheese sandwich

Deviled egg salad served on Brioche

Cucumber and watercress spread

Chicken salad sandwich

Prosciutto, asparagus and cream cheese sandwich

Scones with Devonshire cream and homemade jams and lemon curd

…and other pastry delights like macaroons and chocolate ganache petite fours

 

Thanks to Queen Victoria, cialis sales seek we now have a hunger chasing remedy of delicate treats served with tea, generic viagra no rx long after lunch is over and several hours before dinner. During her era, afternoon tea became as much appreciated for its social aspect as it was for its meal. Though truly, its purpose was to keep her from going on a rampage with a meal that was to be served much later. I don’t blame her! Today, the same custom can prevent us from making that quick dive into the bread and butter when it arrives. Even when done solo, there is something about afternoon tea that is very soothing and grounding, possibly from the fact that we feel nourished and pampered with so much attention to detail.

The prettiness of such delicate serves is also very entertaining. It’s enough to keep me smiling given a glass of champagne to have some kind of bubbly company. However, it does take service and some effort. Reflective of a high society ritual, the customary afternoon break usually boasts of beauty and elegance at its tables, including its attendees. While to most, it has relaxed to suit modern day living, I can still remember the authenticity of invitations from friends, during the years I lived in Hong Kong when it was a British colony.

Surrounded by so much culture, afternoon tea has long been a past time shared between me and friends, Chinese and Europeans alike. From the years I spent living right next to the Hong Kong Country Club, I often looked forward to it. It was a ritual amongst friends, held at each other’s homes, the famous Chinese tea houses that offered the most exotic teas served with dim sum, or at other hotels like The Repulse Bay and The Mandarin Oriental where the sandwiches were oh so terribly British. And by that, I just mean that the sandwiches were made of the usual tiny cucumbers lined with very thinly spread butter and foie gras on delicate white bread.

In contrast, tea times with my German friends would offer coffee alternatives served with thick German cakes and champagne cordials, served over amazing Meisen China, however still combined with the fanciest collection of Victorian and Georgian silver. Those were the days that were seriously lived in routine of style and cultural expectation with the friends I had. My best friend during those wonderful years was Ulrike von Bienenstamm who owned the best silver shop in town. We have since parted and moved away from Hong Kong. I miss her.

Today, I still seek the places wherever proper tea is served. This has somehow become a part of my life, and if anything, to remind me of wonderful libation spent in politeness, grace, and with everything oh so lovely!  I will seek it today, even when traveling on my own.  The last time I was in Bangkok, in August of 2011, I sat at The Four Seasons Hotel in their newly redecorated lobby for a treat I heartily enjoyed.  The mood was plush brought by its contemporary and avant garde furniture with new rich fabrics of strong colors.  Combined with the unusually warm tones from Thai sculpture, artwork and paintings, it created quite an impact.  It was unmistakably a 20th century experience of being in the present times of modern Thailand where the service, one can assume, was as authentic as can be expected from a five star hotel.  Without the usual lace and chintz, the ritual wasn’t short of its olden days flair.  Orchids replaced Victorian florals, but Queen Victoria would have loved it just the same.  The fact that this was Thailand made it for even better care, because the culture knows nothing less than acknowledging the nobility in you, (and themselves in you) by Buddhist belief and practice.  Queen or not, you felt like one.  You’ll be in great hands for a luxurious tête-à-tête at this venue.

Although my favorite is Earl Grey with a dollop of Devonshire cream, I ordered lemongrass tea which came piping hot, as it always should. The setting offered a wet and fragrant hand towel, neatly rolled on a bamboo tray, to prepare my hands with pristine value of cleanliness. As pictured above, the menu included classic savories of the following:

Brie de Maux (cucumber sandwich)

Salmon brioche with yuzu cream and dill

King prawn, egg and poppy seed croissant

Peppered ham and tomato in grain bread canape

Frittata with figs and spicy chorizo and

Smoked chicken with mango salsa served in a milk bun

As for the Pastries:

Chestnut Profiterole with Chantilly

Strawberry Romanoff with cassis jelly

Mango tartlet with vanilla patissier and lavender truffle

Financier pastry with berry yolk and rose petal

Caramel Lingot- a praline sable

Madeleine with candied violet

Macaroon with raspberry and poppy seed

Plain and Raisin Scones with fresh cream and preserves.

Then in December just before Christmas, I treated the girls (who dated my sons) to a Teddy Bear Tea offered by The Westgate in downtown San Diego. While it offered a full afternoon of entertainment with Santa, Mrs. Clause, a juggler and a story teller, the tea itself was an opportunity to chat with each other and have some simple fun around little presents.

The table and setting was soft and pretty with natural light peering through from behind us, by a large window. It was as sweet as I imagined it to be, but short of the harpist who usually plays during normal afternoon teas.

The event was designed to include activities for children whose parents brought them along for the Christmas holiday spirit. The kitchen was a bit frazzled, probably by the size of its turnout, with sandwiches getting dry before it reached its tables. But we had a fun time and since talked about doing it again. Only next time, at my home.

They joked that the highlight was storytelling, having lined themselves up with the other little children, after tea was served. No, they did not sit on Santa’s lap! Haha! We then hit the mall in Fashion Valley where we shopped for presents to give to our guys, and then had dinner afterwards. Below are the rest of the photos from that day.

And onto other places for tea, I also recommend the Tower Suite Cafe at the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas.

Here is what composed their trays in January of 2012:

Smoked salmon and chive cream cheese sandwich

Deviled egg salad served on Brioche

Cucumber and watercress spread

Chicken salad sandwich

Prosciutto, asparagus and cream cheese sandwich

Scones with Devonshire cream and homemade jams and lemon curd

…and other pastry delights like macaroons and chocolate ganache petite fours

 

Thanks to Queen Victoria, best viagra try we now have a hunger chasing remedy of delicate treats served with tea, cialis long after lunch is over and several hours before dinner. During her era, afternoon tea became as much appreciated for its social aspect as it was for its meal. Though truly, its purpose was to keep her from going on a rampage with a meal that was to be served much later. I don’t blame her! Today, the same custom can prevent us from making that quick dive into the bread and butter when it arrives. Even when done solo, there is something about afternoon tea that is very soothing and grounding, possibly from the fact that we feel nourished and pampered with so much attention to detail.

The prettiness of such delicate serves is also very entertaining. It’s enough to keep me smiling given a glass of champagne to have some kind of bubbly company. However, it does take service and some effort. Reflective of a high society ritual, the customary afternoon break usually boasts of beauty and elegance at its tables, including its attendees. While to most, it has relaxed to suit modern day living, I can still remember the authenticity of invitations from friends, during the years I lived in Hong Kong when it was a British colony.

Surrounded by so much culture, afternoon tea has long been a past time shared between me and friends, Chinese and Europeans alike. From the years I spent living right next to the Hong Kong Country Club, I often looked forward to it. It was a ritual amongst friends, held at each other’s homes, the famous Chinese tea houses that offered the most exotic teas served with dim sum, or at other hotels like The Repulse Bay and The Mandarin Oriental where the sandwiches were oh so terribly British. And with that, I just mean that the sandwiches were made of the usual tiny cucumbers lined with very thinly spread butter and foie gras on delicate white bread.

In contrast, tea times with my German friends would offer coffee alternatives served with thick German cakes and champagne cordials, served over amazing Meisen China, however still combined with the fanciest collection of Victorian and Georgian silver. Those were the days that were seriously lived in routine of style and cultural expectation with the friends I had. My best friend during those wonderful years was Ulrike von Bienenstamm who owned the best silver shop in town. We have since parted and moved away from Hong Kong. I miss her.

Today, I still seek the places wherever proper tea is served. This has somehow become a part of my life, and if anything, to remind me of wonderful libation spent in politeness, grace, and with everything oh so lovely! I will seek it today, even when traveling on my own. The last time I was in Bangkok, in August of 2011, I sat at The Four Seasons Hotel in their newly redecorated lobby for a treat I heartily enjoyed. The mood was plush, brought by its contemporary and avant garde furniture with new rich fabrics of strong colors which created an impact with the unusually warm tones from Thai sculpture, artwork and paintings. It was unmistakably a 20th century experience of being in the present times of modern Thailand where the service was as authentic as can be expected from a five star hotel. Without the usual lace and chintz, the ritual wasn’t short of its olden days flair. Orchids replaced Victorian florals, but Queen Victoria would have loved it just the same. The fact that this was Thailand made it for even better care, because the culture knows nothing less than acknowledging the nobility in you, (and themselves in you) by Buddhist belief and practice. Queen or not, you felt like one. You’ll be in great hands for a luxurious tête-à-tête at this venue.

Although my favorite is Earl Grey with a dollop of Devonshire cream, I ordered lemongrass tea which came piping hot, as it always should. The setting offered a wet and fragrant hand towel, neatly rolled on a bamboo tray, to prepare my hands with pristine value of cleanliness. As pictured above, the menu included classic savories of the following:

Brie de Maux (cucumber sandwich)

Salmon brioche with yuzu cream and dill

King prawn, egg and poppy seed croissant

Peppered ham and tomato in grain bread canape

Frittata with figs and spicy chorizo and

Smoked chicken with mango salsa served in a milk bun

As for the Pastries:

Chestnut Profiterole with Chantilly

Strawberry Romanoff with cassis jelly

Mango tartlet with vanilla patissier and lavender truffle

Financier pastry with berry yolk and rose petal

Caramel Lingot- a praline sable

Madeleine with candied violet

Macaroon with raspberry and poppy seed

Plain and Raisin Scones with fresh cream and preserves.

Then in December just before Christmas, I treated the girls (who dated my sons) to a Teddy Bear Tea offered by The Westgate in downtown San Diego. While it offered a full afternoon of entertainment with Santa, Mrs. Clause, a juggler and a story teller, the tea itself was an opportunity to chat with each other and have some simple fun around little presents.

The table and setting was soft and pretty with natural light peering through from behind us, by a large window. It was as sweet as I imagined it to be, but short of the harpist who usually plays during normal afternoon teas.

The event was designed to include activities for children whose parents brought them along for the Christmas holiday spirit. The kitchen was a bit frazzled, probably by the size of its turnout, with sandwiches getting dry before it reached its tables. But we had a fun time and since talked about doing it again. Only next time, at my home.

They joked that the highlight was storytelling, having lined themselves up with the other little children, after tea was served. No, they did not sit on Santa’s lap! Haha! We then hit the mall in Fashion Valley where we shopped for presents to give to our guys, and then had dinner afterwards. Below are the rest of the photos from that day.

And onto other places for tea, I also recommend the Tower Suite Cafe at the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas.

Here is what composed their trays in January of 2012:

Smoked salmon and chive cream cheese sandwich

Deviled egg salad served on Brioche

Cucumber and watercress spread

Chicken salad sandwich

Prosciutto, asparagus and cream cheese sandwich

Scones with Devonshire cream and homemade jams and lemon curd

…and other pastry delights like macaroons and chocolate ganache petite fours

 

Thanks to Queen Victoria, discount cialis illness we now have a hunger chasing remedy of delicate treats served with tea, viagra discount long after lunch is over and several hours before dinner. During her era, afternoon tea became as much appreciated for its social aspect as it was for its meal. Though truly, its purpose was to keep her from going on a rampage with a meal that was to be served much later. I don’t blame her! Today, the same custom can prevent us from making that quick dive into the bread and butter when it arrives. Even when done solo, there is something about afternoon tea that is very soothing and grounding, possibly from the fact that we feel nourished and pampered with so much attention to detail.

The prettiness of such delicate serves is also very entertaining. It’s enough to keep me smiling given a glass of champagne to have some kind of bubbly company. However, it does take service and some effort. Reflective of a high society ritual, the customary afternoon break usually boasts of beauty and elegance at its tables, including its attendees. While to most, it has relaxed to suit modern day living, I can still remember the authenticity of invitations from friends, during the years I lived in Hong Kong when it was a British colony.

Surrounded by so much culture, afternoon tea has long been a past time shared between me and friends, Chinese and Europeans alike. From the years I spent living right next to the Hong Kong Country Club, I often looked forward to it. It was a ritual amongst friends, held at each other’s homes, the famous Chinese tea houses that offered the most exotic teas served with dim sum, or at other hotels like The Repulse Bay and The Mandarin Oriental where the sandwiches were oh so terribly British. And by that, I just mean that the sandwiches were made of the usual tiny cucumbers lined with very thinly spread butter and foie gras on delicate white bread.

In contrast, tea times with my German friends would offer coffee alternatives served with thick German cakes and champagne cordials, served over amazing Meisen China, however still combined with the fanciest collection of Victorian and Georgian silver. Those were the days that were seriously lived in routine of style and cultural expectation with the friends I had. My best friend during those wonderful years was Ulrike von Bienenstamm who owned the best silver shop in town. We have since parted and moved away from Hong Kong. I miss her.

Today, I still seek the places wherever proper tea is served. This has somehow become a part of my life, and if anything, to remind me of wonderful libation spent in politeness, grace, and with everything oh so lovely!  I will seek it today, even when traveling on my own.  The last time I was in Bangkok, in August of 2011, I sat at The Four Seasons Hotel in their newly redecorated lobby for a treat I heartily enjoyed.  The mood was plush brought by its contemporary and avant garde furniture with new rich fabrics of strong colors.  Combined with the unusually warm tones from Thai sculpture, artwork and paintings, it created quite an impact.  It was unmistakably a 20th century experience of being in the present times of modern Thailand where the service, one can assume, was as authentic as can be expected from a five star hotel.  Without the usual lace and chintz, the ritual wasn’t short of its olden days flair.  Orchids replaced Victorian florals, but Queen Victoria would have loved it just the same.  The fact that this was Thailand made it for even better care, because the culture knows nothing less than acknowledging the nobility in you, (and themselves in you) by Buddhist belief and practice.  Queen or not, you felt like one.  You’ll be in great hands for a luxurious tête-à-tête at this venue.

Although my favorite is Earl Grey with a dollop of Devonshire cream, I ordered lemongrass tea which came piping hot, as it always should. The setting offered a wet and fragrant hand towel, neatly rolled on a bamboo tray, to prepare my hands with pristine value of cleanliness

. As pictured above, the menu included classic savories of the following:

Brie de Maux (cucumber sandwich)

Salmon brioche with yuzu cream and dill

King prawn, egg and poppy seed croissant

Peppered ham and tomato in grain bread canape

Frittata with figs and spicy chorizo and

Smoked chicken with mango salsa served in a milk bun

As for the Pastries:

Chestnut Profiterole with Chantilly

Strawberry Romanoff with cassis jelly

Mango tartlet with vanilla patissier and lavender truffle

Financier pastry with berry yolk and rose petal

Caramel Lingot- a praline sable

Madeleine with candied violet

Macaroon with raspberry and poppy seed

Plain and Raisin Scones with fresh cream and preserves.

Then in December just before Christmas, I treated the girls (who dated my sons) to a Teddy Bear Tea offered by The Westgate in downtown San Diego. While it offered a full afternoon of entertainment with Santa, Mrs. Clause, a juggler and a story teller, the tea itself was an opportunity to chat with each other and have some simple fun around little presents.

The table and setting was soft and pretty with natural light peering through from behind us, by a large window. It was as sweet as I imagined it to be, but short of the harpist who usually plays during normal afternoon teas.

 

The event was designed to include activities for children whose parents brought them along for the Christmas holiday spirit. The kitchen was a bit frazzled, probably by the size of its turnout, with sandwiches getting dry before it reached its tables. But we had a fun time and since talked about doing it again. Only next time, at my home.

They joked that the highlight was storytelling, having lined themselves up with the other little children, after tea was served. No, they did not sit on Santa’s lap! Haha! We then hit the mall in Fashion Valley where we shopped for presents to give to our guys, and then had dinner afterwards. Below are the rest of the photos from that day.

And onto other places for tea, I also recommend the Tower Suite Cafe at the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas.

Here is what composed their trays in January of 2012:

Smoked salmon and chive cream cheese sandwich

Deviled egg salad served on Brioche

Cucumber and watercress spread

Chicken salad sandwich

Prosciutto, asparagus and cream cheese sandwich

Scones with Devonshire cream and homemade jams and lemon curd

…and other pastry delights like macaroons and chocolate ganache petite fours

 

Thanks to Queen Victoria, viagra generic we now have a hunger chasing remedy of delicate treats served with tea, cialis sale hospital long after lunch is over and several hours before dinner. During her era, thumb afternoon tea became as much appreciated for its social aspect as it was for its meal. Though truly, its purpose was to keep her from going on a rampage with a meal that was to be served much later. I don’t blame her! Today, the same custom can prevent us from making that quick dive into the bread and butter when it arrives. Even when done solo, there is something about afternoon tea that is very soothing and grounding, possibly from the fact that we feel nourished and pampered with so much attention to detail.

The prettiness of such delicate serves is also very entertaining. It’s enough to keep me smiling given a glass of champagne to have some kind of bubbly company. However, it does take service and some effort. Reflective of a high society ritual, the customary afternoon break usually boasts of beauty and elegance at its tables, including its attendees. While to most, it has relaxed to suit modern day living, I can still remember the authenticity of invitations from friends, during the years I lived in Hong Kong when it was a British colony.

Surrounded by so much culture, afternoon tea has long been a past time shared between me and friends, Chinese and Europeans alike. From the years I spent living right next to the Hong Kong Country Club, I often looked forward to it. It was a ritual amongst friends, held at each other’s homes, the famous Chinese tea houses that offered the most exotic teas served with dim sum, or at other hotels like The Repulse Bay and The Mandarin Oriental where the sandwiches were oh so terribly British. And by that, I just mean that the sandwiches were made of the usual tiny cucumbers lined with very thinly spread butter and foie gras on delicate white bread.

In contrast, tea times with my German friends would offer coffee alternatives served with thick German cakes and champagne cordials, served over amazing Meisen China, however still combined with the fanciest collection of Victorian and Georgian silver. Those were the days that were seriously lived in routine of style and cultural expectation with the friends I had. My best friend during those wonderful years was Ulrike von Bienenstamm who owned the best silver shop in town. We have since parted and moved away from Hong Kong. I miss her.

Today, I still seek the places wherever proper tea is served. This has somehow become a part of my life, and if anything, to remind me of wonderful libation spent in politeness, grace, and with everything oh so lovely! I will seek it today, even when traveling on my own. The last time I was in Bangkok, in August of 2011, I sat at The Four Seasons Hotel in their newly redecorated lobby for a treat I heartily enjoyed. The mood was plush, brought by its contemporary and avant garde furniture with new rich fabrics of strong colors which created an impact with the unusually warm tones from Thai sculpture, artwork and paintings. It was unmistakably a 20th century experience of being in the present times of modern Thailand where the service was as authentic as can be expected from a five star hotel. Without the usual lace and chintz, the ritual wasn’t short of its olden days flair. Orchids replaced Victorian florals, but Queen Victoria would have loved it just the same. The fact that this was Thailand made it for even better care, because the culture knows nothing less than acknowledging the nobility in you, (and themselves in you) by Buddhist belief and practice. Queen or not, you felt like one. You’ll be in great hands for a luxurious tête-à-tête at this venue.

Although my favorite is Earl Grey with a dollop of Devonshire cream, I ordered lemongrass tea which came piping hot, as it always should. The setting offered a wet and fragrant hand towel, neatly rolled on a bamboo tray, to prepare my hands with pristine value of cleanliness. As pictured above, the menu included classic savories of the following:

Brie de Maux (cucumber sandwich)

Salmon brioche with yuzu cream and dill

King prawn, egg and poppy seed croissant

Peppered ham and tomato in grain bread canape

Frittata with figs and spicy chorizo and

Smoked chicken with mango salsa served in a milk bun

As for the Pastries:

Chestnut Profiterole with Chantilly

Strawberry Romanoff with cassis jelly

Mango tartlet with vanilla patissier and lavender truffle

Financier pastry with berry yolk and rose petal

Caramel Lingot- a praline sable

Madeleine with candied violet

Macaroon with raspberry and poppy seed

Plain and Raisin Scones with fresh cream and preserves.

Then in December just before Christmas, I treated the girls (who dated my sons) to a Teddy Bear Tea offered by The Westgate in downtown San Diego. While it offered a full afternoon of entertainment with Santa, Mrs. Clause, a juggler and a story teller, the tea itself was an opportunity to chat with each other and have some simple fun around little presents.

The table and setting was soft and pretty with natural light peering through from behind us, by a large window. It was as sweet as I imagined it to be, but short of the harpist who usually plays during normal afternoon teas.

The event was designed to include activities for children whose parents brought them along for the Christmas holiday spirit. The kitchen was a bit frazzled, probably by the size of its turnout, with sandwiches getting dry before it reached its tables. But we had a fun time and since talked about doing it again. Only next time, at my home.

They joked that the highlight was storytelling, having lined themselves up with the other little children, after tea was served. No, they did not sit on Santa’s lap! Haha! We then hit the mall in Fashion Valley where we shopped for presents to give to our guys, and then had dinner afterwards. Below are the rest of the photos from that day.

And onto other places for tea, I also recommend the Tower Suite Cafe at the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas.

Here is what composed their trays in January of 2012:

Smoked salmon and chive cream cheese sandwich

Deviled egg salad served on Brioche

Cucumber and watercress spread

Chicken salad sandwich

Prosciutto, asparagus and cream cheese sandwich

Scones with Devonshire cream and homemade jams and lemon curd

…and other pastry delights like macaroons and chocolate ganache petite fours

 

Thanks to Queen Victoria, cialis sales pills we now have a hunger chasing remedy of delicate treats served with tea, viagra sale hospital long after lunch is over and several hours before dinner. During her era, afternoon tea became as much appreciated for its social aspect as it was for its meal. Though truly, its purpose was to keep her from going on a rampage with a meal that was to be served much later. I don’t blame her! Today, the same custom can prevent us from making that quick dive into the bread and butter when it arrives. Even when done solo, there is something about afternoon tea that is very soothing and grounding, possibly from the fact that we feel nourished and pampered with so much attention to detail.

The prettiness of such delicate serves is also very entertaining. It’s enough to keep me smiling given a glass of champagne to have some kind of bubbly company. However, it does take service and some effort. Reflective of a high society ritual, the customary afternoon break usually boasts of beauty and elegance at its tables, including its attendees. While to most, it has relaxed to suit modern day living, I can still remember the authenticity of invitations from friends, during the years I lived in Hong Kong when it was a British colony.

Surrounded by so much culture, afternoon tea has long been a past time shared between me and friends, Chinese and Europeans alike. From the years I spent living right next to the Hong Kong Country Club, I often looked forward to it. It was a ritual amongst friends, held at each other’s homes, the famous Chinese tea houses that offered the most exotic teas served with dim sum, or at other hotels like The Repulse Bay and The Mandarin Oriental where the sandwiches were oh so terribly British. And by that, I just mean that the sandwiches were made of the usual tiny cucumbers lined with very thinly spread butter and foie gras on delicate white bread.

In contrast, tea times with my German friends would offer coffee alternatives served with thick German cakes and champagne cordials, served over amazing Meisen China, however still combined with the fanciest collection of Victorian and Georgian silver. Those were the days that were seriously lived in routine of style and cultural expectation with the friends I had. My best friend during those wonderful years was Ulrike von Bienenstamm who owned the best silver shop in town. We have since parted and moved away from Hong Kong. I miss her.

Today, I still seek the places wherever proper tea is served. This has somehow become a part of my life, and if anything, to remind me of wonderful libation spent in politeness, grace, and with everything oh so lovely!  I will seek it today, even when traveling on my own.  The last time I was in Bangkok, in August of 2011, I sat at The Four Seasons Hotel in their newly redecorated lobby for a treat I heartily enjoyed.  The mood was plush brought by its contemporary and avant garde furniture with new rich fabrics of strong colors.  Combined with the unusually warm tones from Thai sculpture, artwork and paintings, it created quite an impact.  It was unmistakably a 20th century experience of being in the present times of modern Thailand where the service, one can assume, was as authentic as can be expected from a five star hotel.  Without the usual lace and chintz, the ritual wasn’t short of its olden days flair.  Orchids replaced Victorian florals, but Queen Victoria would have loved it just the same.  The fact that this was Thailand made it for even better care, because the culture knows nothing less than acknowledging the nobility in you, (and themselves in you) by Buddhist belief and practice.  Queen or not, you felt like one.  You’ll be in great hands for a luxurious tête-à-tête at this venue.

Although my favorite is Earl Grey with a dollop of Devonshire cream, I ordered lemongrass tea which came piping hot, as it always should. The setting offered a wet and fragrant hand towel, neatly rolled on a bamboo tray, to prepare my hands with pristine value of cleanliness. As pictured above, the menu included classic savories of the following:

Brie de Maux (cucumber sandwich)

Salmon brioche with yuzu cream and dill

King prawn, egg and poppy seed croissant

Peppered ham and tomato in grain bread canape

Frittata with figs and spicy chorizo and

Smoked chicken with mango salsa served in a milk bun

As for the Pastries:

Chestnut Profiterole with Chantilly

Strawberry Romanoff with cassis jelly

Mango tartlet with vanilla patissier and lavender truffle

Financier pastry with berry yolk and rose petal

Caramel Lingot- a praline sable

Madeleine with candied violet

Macaroon with raspberry and poppy seed

Plain and Raisin Scones with fresh cream and preserves.

Then in December just before Christmas, I treated the girls (who dated my sons) to a Teddy Bear Tea offered by The Westgate in downtown San Diego. While it offered a full afternoon of entertainment with Santa, Mrs. Clause, a juggler and a story teller, the tea itself was an opportunity to chat with each other and have some simple fun around little presents.

The table and setting was soft and pretty with natural light peering through from behind us, by a large window. It was as sweet as I imagined it to be, but short of the harpist who usually plays during normal afternoon teas.

The event was designed to include activities for children whose parents brought them along for the Christmas holiday spirit. The kitchen was a bit frazzled, probably by the size of its turnout, with sandwiches getting dry before it reached its tables. But we had a fun time and since talked about doing it again. Only next time, at my home.

They joked that the highlight was storytelling, having lined themselves up with the other little children, after tea was served. No, they did not sit on Santa’s lap! Haha! We then hit the mall in Fashion Valley where we shopped for presents to give to our guys, and then had dinner afterwards. Below are the rest of the photos from that day.

And onto other places for tea, I also recommend the Tower Suite Cafe at the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas.

Here is what composed their trays in January of 2012:

Smoked salmon and chive cream cheese sandwich

Deviled egg salad served on Brioche

Cucumber and watercress spread

Chicken salad sandwich

Prosciutto, asparagus and cream cheese sandwich

Scones with Devonshire cream and homemade jams and lemon curd

…and other pastry delights like macaroons and chocolate ganache petite fours

 

Thanks to Queen Victoria, discount cialis search we now have a hunger chasing remedy of delicate treats served with tea, cialis case long after lunch is over and several hours before dinner. During her era, cialis afternoon tea became as much appreciated for its social aspect as it was for its meal. Though truly, its purpose was to keep her from going on a rampage with a meal that was to be served much later. I don’t blame her! Today, the same custom can prevent us from making that quick dive into the bread and butter when it arrives. Even when done solo, there is something about afternoon tea that is very soothing and grounding, possibly from the fact that we feel nourished and pampered with so much attention to detail.

The prettiness of such delicate serves is also very entertaining. It’s enough to keep me smiling given a glass of champagne to have some kind of bubbly company. However, it does take service and some effort. Reflective of a high society ritual, the customary afternoon break usually boasts of beauty and elegance at its tables, including its attendees. While to most, it has relaxed to suit modern day living, I can still remember the authenticity of invitations from friends, during the years I lived in Hong Kong when it was a British colony.

Surrounded by so much culture, afternoon tea has long been a past time shared between me and friends, Chinese and Europeans alike. From the years I spent living right next to the Hong Kong Country Club, I often looked forward to it. It was a ritual amongst friends, held at each other’s homes, the famous Chinese tea houses that offered the most exotic teas served with dim sum, or at other hotels like The Repulse Bay and The Mandarin Oriental where the sandwiches were oh so terribly British. And by that, I just mean that the sandwiches were made of the usual tiny cucumbers lined with very thinly spread butter and foie gras on delicate white bread.

In contrast, tea times with my German friends would offer coffee alternatives served with thick German cakes and champagne cordials, served over amazing Meisen China, however still combined with the fanciest collection of Victorian and Georgian silver. Those were the days that were seriously lived in routine of style and cultural expectation with the friends I had. My best friend during those wonderful years was Ulrike von Bienenstamm who owned the best silver shop in town. We have since parted and moved away from Hong Kong. I miss her.

Today, I still seek the places wherever proper tea is served. This has somehow become a part of my life, and if anything, to remind me of wonderful libation spent in politeness, grace, and with everything oh so lovely!  I will seek it today, even when traveling on my own.  The last time I was in Bangkok, in August of 2011, I sat at The Four Seasons Hotel in their newly redecorated lobby for a treat I heartily enjoyed.  The mood was plush brought by its contemporary and avant garde furniture with new rich fabrics of strong colors.  Combined with the unusually warm tones from Thai sculpture, artwork and paintings, it created quite an impact.  It was unmistakably a 20th century experience of being in the present times of modern Thailand where the service, one can assume, was as authentic as can be expected from a five star hotel.  Without the usual lace and chintz, the ritual wasn’t short of its olden days flair.  Orchids replaced Victorian florals, but Queen Victoria would have loved it just the same.  The fact that this was Thailand made it for even better care, because the culture knows nothing less than acknowledging the nobility in you, (and themselves in you) by Buddhist belief and practice.  Queen or not, you felt like one.  You’ll be in great hands for a luxurious tête-à-tête at this venue.

Although my favorite is Earl Grey with a dollop of Devonshire cream, I ordered lemongrass tea which came piping hot, as it always should. The setting offered a wet and fragrant hand towel, neatly rolled on a bamboo tray, to prepare my hands with pristine value of cleanliness. As pictured above, the menu included classic savories of the following:

Brie de Maux (cucumber sandwich)

Salmon brioche with yuzu cream and dill

King prawn, egg and poppy seed croissant

Peppered ham and tomato in grain bread canape

Frittata with figs and spicy chorizo and

Smoked chicken with mango salsa served in a milk bun

As for the Pastries:

Chestnut Profiterole with Chantilly

Strawberry Romanoff with cassis jelly

Mango tartlet with vanilla patissier and lavender truffle

Financier pastry with berry yolk and rose petal

Caramel Lingot- a praline sable

Madeleine with candied violet

Macaroon with raspberry and poppy seed

Plain and Raisin Scones with fresh cream and preserves.

Then in December just before Christmas, I treated the girls (who dated my sons) to a Teddy Bear Tea offered by The Westgate in downtown San Diego. While it offered a full afternoon of entertainment with Santa, Mrs. Clause, a juggler and a story teller, the tea itself was an opportunity to chat with each other and have some simple fun around little presents.

The table and setting was soft and pretty with natural light peering through from behind us, by a large window. It was as sweet as I imagined it to be, but short of the harpist who usually plays during normal afternoon teas.

The event was designed to include activities for children whose parents brought them along for the Christmas holiday spirit. The kitchen was a bit frazzled, probably by the size of its turnout, with sandwiches getting dry before it reached its tables. But we had a fun time and since talked about doing it again. Only next time, at my home.

They joked that the highlight was storytelling, having lined themselves up with the other little children, after tea was served. No, they did not sit on Santa’s lap! Haha! We then hit the mall in Fashion Valley where we shopped for presents to give to our guys, and then had dinner afterwards. Below are the rest of the photos from that day.

And onto other places for tea, I also recommend the Tower Suite Cafe at the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas.

Here is what composed their trays in January of 2012:

Smoked salmon and chive cream cheese sandwich

Deviled egg salad served on Brioche

Cucumber and watercress spread

Chicken salad sandwich

Prosciutto, asparagus and cream cheese sandwich

Scones with Devonshire cream and homemade jams and lemon curd

…and other pastry delights like macaroons and chocolate ganache petite fours

 

Have a wonderful Valentines Day 2012!

Blueberry Pomegranate Tea With Amaretto & Cointreau

Into your favorite teapot:

2 bags of Blueberry Pomegranate Tea from The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf

2 Cups Boiling water

1 Oz. Amaretto

1 Oz. Cointreau

*Add more liqueur as preferred.  Recipe above is mildly infused.

Include a twist of lemon.

Enjoy!

Serve with White Chocolate Chip cookies with Cranberries and Macadamia Nuts

I’ll be baking the cookies in the morning for Valentine’s Day, so please come back for the photo and recipe!

And if I’m up to it, almost flour-less chocolate heart cake with ground almonds and Scotch infused raisins.

 

So here now are the cookies.  I simply followed the Nestle Toll House cookie recipe for chocolate chip cookies, and substituted the dark chips using real white chocolate chips by Ghiradelli.

Add to it about a cup and a half of chopped macadamia nuts and 1 cup of dried cranberries which I love to quickly infuse with triple sec liqueur by pouring about half a cup over it, then microwaving for about 45 seconds.  Add only the cranberries and not the triple sec into the cookie mixture.

Then I received a dozen of the sweetest chocolate dipped strawberries from our borrowed son, Nathan Martinez, who also brought me some roses.  There’s just no Valentine’s day without these little yummy goodies.  I must admit, they were luscious, sumptuous– delicious!   I thoroughly enjoyed them.

I hope you had a great day!