New Era Park Neighborhood Association

DASHING WOMEN DINING

Mar 06, 2000

( sometimes with friends and neighbors)
Restaurant stories with Jat and Taj
Ratings scale: (3 forks up) We?’d go back!

(2 forks up) We?’d go back but only if someone else was treating.

(1 fork down) We?’d eat at Lyons instead.



THE PLACE: SereniTea A Ritual Tea Room
2406 "J" street
Phone # 447-1tea
hours: Tuesday-Saturday 9:00 AM - 8:30 PM
Sunday 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Afternoon tea Tuesday-Saturday 11:30 AM - 3:00 PM (reservations suggestions)
Rating (three forks up)
THE ENVIRONMENT: Have you ever longed for those days when you could stop at Pava?’s for coffee and a pastry at three o?’clock in the afternoon? Or stretch your memory back even further to the original Weatherstone on I Street where you could go to talk over tea with classical music softly playing. Long no more. Midtown once again has a place to meet in leisure, nibble a variety of treats, sip tea, and actually carry-on a conversation without having to shout across the table to be heard! SereniTea, located on the ground floor of a Victorian, has been open for a few months. It is a most pleasurable addition to the midtown scene. Owner Shannon Sutherland has created a lovely, homey environment to stop and rest; sip tea from china cups; and pick and choose from among many tasty pastries, scones, tea breads, and sandwiches. She and her husband are in the process of constructing an enclosed patio(with shade no less) for spring days and summer nights, which should prove another pleasure. This is strictly a Tea House, so don?’t plan on sitting down for a huge meal of meat and potatoes.
THE FOOD : We came away quite satisfied after indulging in the full afternoon tea. Afternoon tea, served from 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., consisted of four tea sandwiches, tea breads, a scone, small pastries, and of course a pot of tea. The cost was $12.95 per person. You can also order less-filling combinations of cheese and crackers with fruit; tea sandwiches and fruit; or tea breads and a scone. All accompanied by a pot of tea. The tea selection is large and can be bought in bulk to carry home. All of the sandwiches were excellent-from the curried egg to the teriaki tofu. The baked goods were also scrumptious and seemed home- made. At the top of our three-tier service tray, we had some fairly standard but tasty petite-fours and small cakes; one lemon and one chocolate. We noticed there were also more varieties located in the display at the front counter. We did find that the small size of a typical tea sandwich to be too teasing to the palate, and we wanted more. (Shannon was very glad to receive our feedback and is open to incorporate suggestions as she continues to develop her new business venture).
THE STAFF: There were two wait staff present when we sat down. One with a nice smile, and eventually, a menu; and one with not much to say. Neither informed us that we would be soon joined by Shannon who would take our order. Shannon proved to be a very gracious and relaxed hostess, happy to join us at our table and educate us on the merits and types of the many teas (and sandwiches) available. She certainly helped make our selection much less challenging. We encountered her husband as we were looking at the fire engine red stove in the entrance, and he happily filled us in on the history of its origin. He is a friendly and helpful bloke whose cheerful presence is felt about the place as he discreetly continues work on the previously mentioned patio in progress
ETCS. It?’s more than a tea room! Besides the food and drink fare, there are a variety of selected items for sale. These range from the artwork on the walls to Goddess games, notecards, and a selection of teapots. The items are fun to browse through before or after your tea.