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!!!
