Update: Urban Tea closed its tearoom and is purely online as of October 2020.
Where: Alpharetta, Georgia Style: Romantic Chic Tea Selection: 100+ loose leaf teas Teatimes: Monday to Friday 8-5, Saturday 9-5, Sunday 10-4 Reservations: 24-hour notice Contact: 678-446-4200 Cost:$20 Afternoon Tea – sample menu here Destination Tea Tips: It IS there! Urban Tea occupies a slender space between the Which Wich? and Robeks stores. Locally-based Certified Tea Specialist and author Lisa Boalt Richardson guest teaches some of Urban Tea’s classes. Follow Destination Tea on Facebook to learn about upcoming events.
Destination Tea Notes: For more than 20 years, hosts Lori and Tom Karras operated two tea houses in Palm Beach, Florida, before relocating to Georgia, bringing their delicious recipes along. The couple has now cleverly integrated an afternoon tea space into their new tea shop in Alpharetta by reserving the back half of the store for a “CommuniTea” table. Sliding French doors seclude the dining area away from the bustle of the shop up front, creating the feel of a dinner party. Afternoon tea is a communal experience if you choose to socialize with your neighbors as pots of pre-selected teas are passed round, while each group of friends has its own sandwich and dessert trays.
Our tea table awaits, graced by glamorous chandelierAfternoon tea goers enjoy the intimacy of the CommuniTea table while shoppers pop in for their tea purchases at the front of the store.
Tea Service
Tags tied to stainless steel pots label the pre-selected teas we pass around the table. Servers are diligent about making sure that everyone has their fill of each tea.For an additional cost, you may choose to sample another of the 113+ loose leaf teas available. We were well pleased with the three proffered teas: Sencha (green), Apple Pie (rooibos) and White Christmas (white).
Scones & Spreads, Savories and Sweets
Kudos to Urban Tea for slicing their bread thinly! Sandwiches include cucumber with herbed butter, spinach quiche, tomato cheddar and Helen’s dip (with horseradish) and pineapple jam on toast. Yum!A large bowl of tomato basil soup with grated cheddar accompanies the savory platter and we are (rightfully) encouraged to dip our tomato cheese sandwich into the soup. Perfect!English cheddar drizzled with honey is served alongside the savories course. Our hosts check that we are getting enough to eat – YES!A huge chocolate chip scone (more like a cupcake than a biscuit in its consistency) is served with cream and preserves. Desserts include pecan bar, chocolate-dipped strawberry and to the Nothing Bundt Cakes fan’s delight, their miniature carrot bundt cakes with cream cheese frosting (ideal partnership, as the bakery is a plaza neighbor of Urban Tea).Tea gifts, condiments and home accessories are for sale up front in the store.Owner Lori Karras wants you to find a tea you love, and so will encourage you to smell a tea and taste a sample of it, which she brews up on the spot, before you choose one to purchase.
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