The idea of a "pop-up tearoom" has always interested me. Have you heard the term? It's a tearoom that "pops up" for an afternoon, or a weekend, in someone's private residence or similar location. In fact, in Britain, they even have "pop-up charity (second-hand) shops"!!!
A pop-up is a good option for me because I love serving tea but I could never fathom operating my own tearoom. So, when a long-time friend of mine found Mr. Right after waiting and wondering for nearly 15 years, I thought a pop-up tearoom would be a perfect way of celebrating!
With help from all my family, I rearranged my dining room to fit three small tables and a children's table and we concocted a menu of delicious tea treats, taking a bit of inspiration from shared visits with my friend to Alice's Tea Cup in NYC.
I had just enough of my "Friendly Village" winter scene china to set the tables (a few random pieces rounded it out).
We did the traditional tier method -- sandwiches, scones, sweet treats.
Sandwiches: Christina's Famous Smoked Turkey with sundried tomato and basil mayonnaise, open-faced cucumber with herb cream cheese, and coronation chicken salad inside croissants.
Scones: Brown Sugar, Cranberry-Orange, and Double Chocolate Cherry.
Sweet Treats: tiny brownies with frosting and candy cane dust, filo shells with cream and berries, mini chai cupcakes (insanely good), gingerbread men, mince pies, and pecan pie bars.
The treats were enjoyed with three teas: African Black, Market Spice's Cinnamon Orange, and my own concoction called Bride's Bouquet (a mixture of rose black and green jasmine).
Thanks to my mom for working tirelessly to help me! And Christina who loaned recipes and equipment and Emily who insisted on coming over to help me bake everything!
I had to make these shortbread cookies in the shape of teabags for favors. Michael created the teabag "tag" with a picture of the bride and groom!
And there were boxes of tea to take with the cookies.
And I couldn't resist making these fabric play teabags for the adorable nieces of the bride.
There were drinks upon arrival -- sparkling juice and Italian coffee creams
The coffee creams were made with a new Italian coffee soda from World Market.
And the pop-up tearoom was enjoyed by all!!!!
As this was a success, and the tables fitted in my kitchen, I'm sure this won't be the last time I try a pop-up! I'd even be tempted to try a pop-up thrift sale too!!!
12 comments:
I love the friendly village! My Mother has this from my Dad's Grandmother... It's a splendid one.
what a beautiful tea you had! how absolutely lovely!!!
ps: have you read Elizabeth Goudge? I do hope you have! can't remember if I asked...
That looks like so much fun, all was lovely. :)
It certainly looks like everyone enjoyed the tea day. Wonderful idea. Thanks for sharing.
blessings, jill
That's just about the cutest thing I've ever seen! I've never heard of that before! You pulled it off so beautifully. Wonderful job! I just recently discovered your blog and enjoy it so much! Thanks for sharing! ~ Jennifer
Wow! Everything is so beautiful! I love it! One of my friends invited me to a tea at her big church. Each hostess brought in her tea things and decorated the table. I loved going around and looking at all the cool dishes and teapots!
Oh my goodness - what a wonderful idea! So much fun Heather! I love it! This is another of your fantastic ideas that I'll just have to be borrowing soon! So much work - but what a lovely gift for the bride and groom!
Heather, your inventivenss and hard work especially in the baking dept. and thinking up of wonderful ideas just blows me away! Thanks for sharing and I hope the people who came and enjoyed the afternoon aprreciated it as much as we all have with you sharing it with us here on your blog!
Heather, what a lovely gift of friendship! Your 'Pop Up Tea Room' was delightful. So many great ideas!
Dawn
How wonderful! Sounds like you created some special memories for everyone!
You are always up to something hospitable - so Inspiring.
So.. anytime you want to come to Maine and do a pop-up tea room at my house you are more than welcome! So fun! What a great idea. We have pop-up's of all kinds in Portland that come and go. Especially since the economy tanked and there is a lot of store frontage open. I think you have a business opportunity here!
I adore your teabag shortbread favours! So clever and fun. Your friend must have been completely delighted with your pop-up tea room.
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