1351 Church St./Clipper St., (3 blks. south of 24th St.), Noe Valley.
Begun in another location as an antique shop that served tea and named for a fictional antique dealer named Lovejoy, the delightful Lovejoy’s Tea Room is as cozy as anything encountered in England and provides a welcome retreat from city streets. The menu offers all things English--toasted crumpets, scones, tea sandwiches, sausage rolls, pasties. Tea service ranges from a simple Cream Tea (two scones with Devon cream and fresh fruit) to an expansive High Tea (two tea sandwiches, two salads (green and cabbage), and a tea biscuit are added) to a Queen’s Tea (a crumpet with lemon curd and petit four are added), plus a special Wee Tea for children (cream cheese and jelly sandwich, a scone, fresh fruit, and a petit four, with an option to sub in hot chocolate for tea). My favorite tea is the delicious black vanilla with lavender and the fragrant decaf Lady Grey with apricot. The tea room is a popular spot for celebrations, and most customers show up dressed up and many wear sweet hats. For those who forget, a hat rack offers loaners. Tables here are covered with antique cloths, and the tableware is mix-matched vintage china.
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exterior of Lovejoy’s Tea Room in San Francisco
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| reservation card at Lovejoy’s Tea Room in San Francisco |
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interior of Lovejoy’s Tea Room in San Francisco
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set at Lovejoy’s Tea Room in San Francisco
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| vintage teapot at Lovejoy’s Tea Room in San Francisco |
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| High Tea at Lovejoy’s Tea Room in San Francisco |
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| pretty pink petit four heart at Lovejoy’s Tea Room in San Francisco |
Lovejoy's Attic
Across the street,
Lovejoy’s Attic purveys a tea-related inventory that includes items both antique and new. You’ll find tea towels, fancy tablecloths, tea paraphernalia and accoutrements, honey and lemon curd, and a fragrant back pantry filled with bags of teas. Why, there are even bags of broken china to use for art projects. I say, old chap, what fun!
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exterior of Lovejoy’s Attic in San Francisco
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| tea set and lace at Lovejoy’s Attic in San Francisco |
Noe Valley Neighborhood
The
Noe Valley neighborhood is centered at Church/24th streets, and is situated between the Mission District on the east and the Castro District on the west. The J Church streetcar runs from Embarcadero along Market Street downtown; stops along the way include 20th Street at Dolores Park. This usually sunny neighborhood is a great place for brunch. Restaurants and boutiques abound along 24th Street between Church Street and Castro Street, as do babies and dogs. You’ll find all kinds of foods, including bagels, baked goods, and candies, plus plenty of fragrant flower shops.
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| a perfect day in the Noe Valley neighborhood in San Francisco |
I'm always looking for new things to do in San Francisco (in the hope that I'll get there again one day!), and Noe Valley looks a great place to explore.
ReplyDeleteReserved for the Queen. That is a cool sign. Is the bagel place good?
ReplyDeleteI've heard good things about it, but didn't actually eat there on this most recent visit--I was stuffed with crumpets.
DeleteI think tea rooms are a dying breed which is a shame because Cream Tea and High Tea are so much fun ....and delicious. Thanks for sharing a neighbourhood in San Francisco. Looks like a nice area.
ReplyDeleteThis neighbourhood and Lovejoy's Tea Room sound like a lot of fun. Something to keep in mind for any visit to San Francisco.
ReplyDeleteWow, this place looks just wonderful. All the food in this party is looking so tasty. I am drooling over it. You know at some outdoor garden San Francisco venues I will also be hosting a cute tea party for our dad’s birthday bash. Could you please share any ideas for DIY décor?
ReplyDeleteThose venue spaces look interesting. You might want to advertise your service on my website, http://berkeleyandbeyond.com/About/advertise-on-this-site/advertise-on-this-site.html
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