Where: Albuquerque, New Mexico Style: Modern glamour Tea Selection: 20 loose leaf teas (3 are recommended to pair with the monthly menu) Teatimes: Wednesday to Thursday, 12, 2, 3, 5 or 6; Friday to Sunday 11, 12, 2, 3, 5 or 6 – *All parties have private suites, and children ages 5 to 11 are welcome for the first reservation slot only* Reservations: Pre-paid reservations required Contact: Reserve here Cost: $64 Afternoon Tipsy Tea; $48 Afternoon Tea Destination Tea Tips: You request your particular suite when you reserve, or in September to May, the outdoor glam cottages are available on the patio. Leave time to shop the boutique in the foyer for loose leaf teas, accessories, teaware and gifts. A rarity in our experience, The Ivy Tearoom offers two levels of VIP Membership, the price of which can be applied to your afternoon tea reservations. Some of the perks include gifts, a complimentary glass of bubbly for all your afternoon tea guests, priority on suite requests, 10% discount in the gift shop and free space rental for photo shoot.
Destination Tea Notes: And now for something unexpected! We journeyed to Albuquerque, New Mexico — a city of Pueblo, Mexican and Spanish cultural heritage — to discover a phenomenal afternoon tea scene. Our first stop was The Ivy Tearoom, founded in 2015 and relocated to its current location in 2020 where the two-story teahouse was built from the ground up with 10 private suites inside and 3 glam cottages on the patio. To our knowledge, this is the only tearoom in the United States designed and new built specifically to be a teahouse. This year, new owner Andrea Gonzales has wasted no time in improving on a good thing: adding VIP memberships, more enticing gifts in the lobby boutique (yes, Angela did take home a glittery crown), and most importantly, welcoming children under 12 during the first reservation slot each day (this teahouse previously had a minimum age policy). The delicious homemade menus change here every month, and come with tea pairing suggestions, from which you are welcome to stray. Rather than plate all three courses on one three tiered tray, a new tower comes to the table with each course, giving your server a moment to check on you. In such an Instagrammable setting as this, we sometimes are disappointed to find an emphasis on form over substance, but no, at The Ivy Tearoom, teas are brewed properly, and the colorful delicacies coming out of the kitchen are as delightful to the tongue as the eye.
The Ivy Tearoom’s outdoor patio is open fall, winter and spring.
The design elements of the teahouse carry out to the glam cottages.
Shelves of tea gifts, loose leaf teas and tiaras line the foyer. You will check in, and either head down the hall or upstairs to find your private tea suite.
Curtains draw across each tea suite to allow for a private afternoon tea
Glossy and velvety blacks and whites are accented with gold and neon.
A variety of seating arrangements include dining tables and low coffee tables surrounded by softly upholstered furniture.
Loving the tufted velvet evergreen loveseats in this suite.
We were seated in this downstairs corner suite, with larger-than-life flower blooms papered on the ceiling, modern chandelier and furry pink pillows.
Owner Andrea smiling with her daughter (at left), a manager at the tearoom, who told us how proud she is of the heart and energy her mother puts into her business.
Tea Selection
Playful cocktail options can be added on.
We like that the menu is presented with suggested teas to pair flavors with each course, and we begin with a caffeine-free rooibos Pina Colada, which one of us liked so much, she bought some to make at home.
A new pot of tea arrives with each course, this one the Purple Rain white tea blend, grape-infused with floral notes.
Even the sugar cubes are served in style, a gold-trimmed jewelry box.
The Ivy Tearoom’s goal is to leave their guests undisturbed as much as possible, which is why they only pop in to present each course, but invite you to press your call button if you require service.
Scones & Spreads, Savories and Sweets
“Afternoon Tea: A Fashion Show with Scones” Cute!
The first item we tried was the Boursin & Spinach Strata, an egg bake akin to a crustless quiche – which was so yummy! Blueberry Scones were served with strawberry preserves and lemon mousse.
This tiered tray is a work of art, displaying the savories on glittering plates: Lemon Caper Dill Chicken Salad in Phyllo Cup, Crostini with Ricotta, Walnuts and Salted Honey, and our two favorites – Egg Puree on Toasted Croissant Bread and Cucumber Tea Sandwich on the softest artisanal bread.
For dessert, a moist Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake, Raspberry Crumble Bar (with too-dense crust) and a delightful surprise at an afternoon tea: Strawberry Mousse with Strawberry Crunch cone.
Somehow we had room for all three tiers on our table, so that we could take our time exploring the courses. Photo Credit: Jeanette Pasuizaca
Angela goes exploring the private suites upstairs, where the largest room, the Pink Parlor can seat parties of 9 to 18 guests. This elegant staircase is often used for group photos.
Many gifts in the lobby boutique will catch your eye, like these designer handbag teacup sets. The dish is long enough to act as a snack set (scroll down in this post to learn the history of these).
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