Fremont: Tyme for Tea & Co.; restaurant review

880 South

Tyme for Tea & Co. 

37501 Niles Blvd./H St., (510) 790-0944. W-F 11-3, Sat-Sun 11-4. Reservations advised.

exterior of Tyme for Tea & Co. in Fremont, California

 

Henry James once said, “There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea.” True.

Sydney Smith said, “Thank God for tea! What would the world do without tea?--how did it exist? I am glad I was not born before tea.” True again.

child's tea set for sale at  Tyme for Tea & Co. in Fremont, California

Offering a spacious tearoom with a sea of pink tablecloth-covered tables, Tyme for Tea & Co. offers mismatched vintage silverware and bone-china teacups along with a respite from the day’s tribulations. Dress is generally casual, but diners celebrating a special occasion sometimes take it up a notch. And a clawfoot bathtub full of borrowable hats invites anyone to fancy up their outfit.

tearoom at Tyme for Tea & Co. in Fremont, California

bathtub full of hats at Tyme for Tea & Co. in Fremont, California

 

The full Victorian Tea includes loose leaf tea (herbals and decafs are available among the extensive choices), a scone with crème frâiche plus lemon curd and preserves, and assorted tea sandwiches and pastries. A smaller tea with just sandwiches and a grand tea with a glass of Champagne are also available. On weekdays some additional a la carte items are options, but on weekends only the full teas are served. Iced tea and coffee are available a la carte.

My tea companion and I each ordered a Victorian Tea and were presented first with a delicious scone along with crème fraiche, lemon curd, and strawberry jam. Five tea sandwiches included a cucumber and cream cheese, a gooey melted cheese delight, and a chicken salad rolled in ground walnuts. Pastries included a petit four, a shortbread cookie, and more. I did opt to take a few items home. In search of low caffeine content, my tea choice was a nice, light white pear and my companion chose decaf Earl Grey. We shared, which was fun and allowed us to try two teas.

scone at Tyme for Tea & Co. in Fremont, California

 

tea service at Tyme for Tea & Co. in Fremont, California

 

Do take time to browse the shop’s extensive and well-priced collection of teacups and tea accessories. A goodly selection of teas and even house-made jams and lemon curd are available. Scone mixes that are used to make the really good house scones are available and require only the addition of heavy cream.

china for sale at Tyme for Tea & Co. in Fremont, California

teacups for sale at Tyme for Tea & Co. in Fremont, California

 

After, you can stroll the street and visit some of the myriad antiques shops that line it for several blocks.

More things to do in Fremont.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

images ©2024 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Carmel: The Tuck Box; restaurant review

1 South

The Tuck Box 

Dolores St./Ocean Ave., (831) 624-6365.  B-L daily; $.  No reservations.  No cards.   

Featuring fairy-tale architecture and verily reeking of quaintness, this tiny English-style tearoom can often be quite difficult to get seated in.  Additional seating is available on a tiny outdoor patio.  The breakfast menu at The Tuck Box offers egg items and hot oats as well as unusual and delicious spongy scones (they’re more like English muffins) with a choice of homemade olallieberry preserves or exceptional orange marmalade—all made in house.  At lunch, sandwiches, salads, and omelettes are available along with Welsh rarebit.  Afternoon tea service stops at 2:30 p.m. and is limited to scones and hot English tea. 

exterior of The Tuck Box restaurant in Carmel, California

interior of The Tuck Box restaurant in Carmel, California

scones and tea at The Tuck Box restaurant in Carmel, California

Picadilly Park

Across the street, tiny Picadilly Park, which is dominated by a California live oak tree, invites relaxing contemplation with its benches, flower garden, and water features.

Picadilly Park in Carmel, California

More things to do in Carmel.

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More ideas for exploring Northern California.  

images ©2018 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

San Francisco: Holiday Tea at InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco; things to do

San Francisco

InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco

Hotels everywhere roll out the carpet with special events for the Christmas season.  Here in San Francisco, the legendary InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco does the same.  Think afternoon Holiday Teas served with individual 3-tiered trays holding tea sandwiches, scones, and sweets.  And the 12 Cocktails of Christmas, each served with a souvenir cocktail charm--how about a Ten Lords a-Leaping made with Smirnoff Vanilla Vodka, Chambord, cranberry juice, and fresh raspberries?  Earlier, Thanksgiving features a petting zoo in the lobby, and later, New Year's Eve brings on a New Year's Eve dinner and dancing special at the Top of the Mark. 

Holiday Tea at the Top of the Mark, InterContinental Mark Hopkins
in San Francisco

tea tray close-up at Holiday Tea
at the Top of the Mark, InterContinental Mark Hopkins in San Francisco

More San Francisco Bay Area Christmas events.

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Way more things to do in San Francisco.

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More ideas for exploring Northern California.

images ©2017 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Berkeley: Tamon Tea; restaurant review

80 North

Tamon Tea  

2055-A Center St./Shattuck Ave., downtown, (510) 647-9370.  Daily 10:30-6.  Cash only.  

In this tiny, little hole in the wall, you’ll find an array of simple, affordable Japanese delicacies.  Omusubi--seaweed-wrapped triangles of rice wrapped around a choice of fillings--are made fresh when ordered at Tamon Tea, so the rice is moist and warm; brown rice is an option.  Fillings include the very popular unagi (eel) as well as spicy tuna, sukiyaki beef, pickled plum, Spam, and many more; $3/each.  Donburi bowls are more filling; $8.  I adore chewy mochi, and when it is made fresh, like it is here, it is as soft as a baby’s butt.  Kushi dango stuffed with red bean and threaded on a stick, includes flavors that tend to be fruity--mango, pineapple, strawberry, and blueberry; $3/stick of three.  (Dango is a dumpling made with rice flour; “hanami” indicates they are stuffed with azuki beans; “mitarashi” indicates they are glazed with sweetened soy sauce; “kushi” indicates they are served on skewers.).  A machine from Hawaii produces powdery shave ice that is particularly pretty with blue Hawaiian ice cream soda.  For drinks, choose from a plethora of teas.  Plan to take away your order, as there are only a few tiny tables squeezed into the back.  

exterior of Tamon Tea in Berkeley, California

order counter at Tamon Tea in Berkeley, California

dango selection at Tamon Tea in Berkeley, California

pleasant service at Tamon Tea in Berkeley, California

 
Way more things to do in Berkeley. 

More ideas for exploring Northern California.  

images ©2018 Carole Terwilliger Meyers
 

Berkeley: Claremont Club & Spa, a Fairmont Hotel; hotel review + restaurant review

80 North

Claremont Club & Spa, a Fairmont Hotel

41 Tunnel Rd., at Ashby Ave./Domingo Ave.  9 stories; 276 rooms.  3 heated pools; hot tub; 4 saunas; 2 steam rooms; full-service spa; fitness room; 10 tennis courts (fee; 6 with night lights).  4 restaurants; room service.  Resort fee $28/night.  Pets ok.  Parking fee.

Built originally by a Kansas farmer who struck it rich and wanted to fulfill his wife’s dream of living in a home resembling an English castle, the first incarnation of this hotel burned to the ground in 1901.  The current Victorian hotel, built in 1915, once charmed architect Frank Lloyd Wright into describing it as “. . . one of the few hotels in the world with warmth, character and charm.”  The hotel was rebranded to Fairmont in 2015 and has been redecorated in a tasteful contemporary style accented with contemporary art.

check-in desk at the Claremont Club & Spa, a Fairmont Hotel
in Berkeley, California

The lobby of the Claremont Club & Spa, a Fairmont Hotel has an assortment of conversation areas, and a sabre bottle opening of Champagne is held there every afternoon.  Just off the lobby, the Lobby Lounge and Bar offers the hotel’s famous views along with live music, while the colorful adjacent Hillary Tenzing Room celebrates the first climbers to summit Mt. Everest--Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay--and serves afternoon tea on weekends.   A brand new amenity is Edie, the Canine Ambassador.  She hangs out in the lobby by the check-in desk, welcoming people as only a sweet dog can (she’s a Boxer mix and was formerly at the Fairmont Pittsburgh).  A free 30-minuted Art and History Tour is available by appointment.

lobby seating at the Claremont Club & Spa, a Fairmont Hotel
in Berkeley, California

entertainment in the Lobby Lounge and Bar seating at the Claremont Club & Spa,
a Fairmont Hotel in Berkeley, California

Hillary Tenzing Room at the Claremont Club & Spa, a Fairmont Hotel
in Berkeley, California

Edie, the Ambassador Canine at the Claremont Club & Spa, a Fairmont Hotel
in Berkeley, California

The hotel now provides all the amenities of a resort, but in an urban setting.  Some guest rooms boast a Jacuzzi tub for two and views of San Francisco, others have charm from the past—a deep closet here, a vintage tub there.  Some rooms have soaking tubs, and the go-for-broke Tower Suite includes a private roof deck with stunning views.

view from guest room at the Claremont Club & Spa, a Fairmont Hotel
in Berkeley, California

guest room bed at the Claremont Club & Spa, a Fairmont Hotel
in Berkeley, California

guest room bathroom at the Claremont Club & Spa, a Fairmont Hotel
in Berkeley, California

The hotel’s pools and hot tub are surrounded by several long rows of chaise lounges--looking like something out of sunny Southern California or Hawaii, but certainly not Berkeley.  The basement spa features a whirlpool with a view of San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge, a therapeutic “deluge” shower, 32 treatment rooms, and a hair and nail salon.  The resort fee covers guest use of the wet facilities (saline whirlpools, saunas, eucalyptus steam rooms).  The Club offers a fitness center with classes, tennis courts, swimming pools, and the casual Bayview Cafe (B-L daily).  Additionally, the Kids’ Club provides childcare and holiday camps.

spa whirlpool at the Claremont Club & Spa, a Fairmont Hotel
in Berkeley, California

view of The Club at the Claremont Club & Spa, a Fairmont Hotel
in Berkeley, California

The romantic, upscale Meritage  CLOSED  (B daily, D W-Sat, SunBr) offers refined steak and seafood dishes, enhanced with an extensive selection of wines.  Comfortable chairs invite sitting back and enjoying the spectacular bay view as well as the dramatic high-ceilinged interior dining room.  Sunday brunch is an extravagant buffet of salads, fresh fruit, seafood, and meats.  It includes a design-your-own-omelette station and a dessert table laden with fine cakes, chocolate éclairs, chocolate fondue, and several flavors of mousse. 

view from Meritage at the Claremont Club & Spa, a Fairmont Hotel
in Berkeley, California

The more casual, bistro-style Limewood Bar & Restaurant (L-D daily)  also offers a great bay view plus seating in the entry bar, outside on an expansive terrace, and inside in booths and at an assortment of tables--including one long communal table with a view of the open kitchen.  The menu is short and changes regularly.  Dinner begins with superb chewy-crusted sourdough bread from the local Acme bakery,  It is possible to make a light dinner of just the canapes, think Devils on horseback (Medjool dates, blue cheese, pancetta), scallion-cheddar hushpuppies with honey butter, fried eggplant rounds with green goddess dressing.  We enjoyed our selections with cocktails--me, a colorful and thirst-quenching Tequila-based Kumquat Smash, and he, a classic Southern rye-absinthe Sazerac.  Appetizers include a very green, dill-dominated chilled cucumber gazpacho, and a fresh and light sprouting broccoli salad with burrata and delicious, crispy toasted shallots.  For our mains, my dining partner had tasty roasted wild ling cod with asparagus and caramelized onions, while I had a somewhat disappointing chicken with seaweed butter and baby turnips (I was expecting a bone-in chicken, but it was breast slices arranged haphazardly atop each other and was in desperate need of some mashed potatoes).  Sandwiches and a burger are available at lunch (the house Grass-fed Beef Burger is also available from the bar menu and by request during dinner service).  Our colorful strawberry shortcake with Bourbon-soaked berries was a choice ending.  

bar at Limewood Bar & Restaurant at the Claremont Club & Spa, a Fairmont Hotel in Berkeley, California

terrace at Limewood Bar & Restaurant at the Claremont Club & Spa,
a Fairmont Hotel in Berkeley, California

oyster bar at Limewood Bar & Restaurant at the Claremont Club & Spa,
a Fairmont Hotel in Berkeley, California

Kumquat Smash cocktail at Limewood Bar & Restaurant
at the Claremont Club & Spa, a Fairmont Hotel in Berkeley, California

Sazerac cocktail at Limewood Bar & Restaurant at the Claremont Club & Spa,
a Fairmont Hotel in Berkeley, California

canapes at Limewood Bar & Restaurant at the Claremont Club & Spa,
a Fairmont Hotel in Berkeley, California

cucumber gazpacho at Limewood Bar & Restaurant at the Claremont Club & Spa, a Fairmont Hotel in Berkeley, California

broccoli-burrata salad at Limewood Bar & Restaurant
at the Claremont Club & Spa, a Fairmont Hotel in Berkeley, California

wild ling cod at Limewood Bar & Restaurant at the Claremont Club & Spa,
a Fairmont Hotel in Berkeley, California

chicken with seaweed butter at Limewood Bar & Restaurant
at the Claremont Club & Spa, a Fairmont Hotel in Berkeley, California

strawberry shortcake at Limewood Bar & Restaurant at the Claremont Club & Spa, a Fairmont Hotel in Berkeley, California

Way more things to do in Berkeley.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

images ©2017 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

San Francisco: The Rotunda in Neiman Marcus, on Union Square; restaurant review

San Francisco

The Rotunda

150 Stockton St./Geary St., in Neiman Marcus, on Union Square, (415) 249-2720 x2465.  L & aft. tea daily; $$$, tea $45-$60.  Sun-W 11-4, Thur-Sat 11-5.  Reservations advised.

ground floor of Neiman Marcus in San Francisco

What could be finer than afternoon tea beneath this elegant department store’s gorgeous 1909 stained-glass-domed rotunda?  The Rotunda in Neiman Marcus let's you choose from private and comfy half-moon booths, or tables directly overlooking Union Square.

stained-glass dome at Neiman Marcus in San Francisco

The Rotunda tea room at Neiman Marcus in San Francisco

view of Union Square from The Rotunda tea room at Neiman Marcus
in San Francisco

Tea is a choice of black, green, or herbal varieties, and it does change.  My dining partner opted for a lovely Jardin Bleu blend with Indian and Chinese leaves flavored with rhubarb and wild strawberry and accented with blue cornflower petals, while I minimized my caffeine intake and chose a pleasant chamomile.  Each is presented in a small personal teapot, with the leaves brewing in a strainer in the top--a disappointment since I am fond of loose-leaf tea floating around freely in the water and the use of a strainer to collect the leaves as I pour the fragrant brew into my cup.  The serviceware is white--also not my cup of tea since I prefer floral and fussy.  Service beings with a petite cup of chicken consume and a fresh-from-the-oven popover with a side of strawberry butter.

popover and consume at The Rotunda tea room at Neiman Marcus in San Francisco

The full tea includes a variety of finger sandwiches (we especially liked the chicken salad), a cylindrical prosciutto-wrapped fig, tarts of chocolate and red velvet, cookies, and, of course, scrumptious scones upon which we slathered lemon curd, raspeberry jam, and whipped cream.  The option to add in a glass of Gloria Ferrer Brut or Etoile Brut Rosé is a good one, and it heightens the elegance of the experience.  Lunch selections include the renowned NM Chicken Salad plus a lobster club and burger, and cocktail service is available. 

 

tiered tea tray at The Rotunda tea room at Neiman Marcus in San Francisco

plate of tea-time treats at The Rotunda tea room at Neiman Marcus
in San Francisco

Do allow time before or after to browse the beautifully curated collection of goods in this elegant department store.  

clothing display at Neiman Marcus in San Francisco

tableware display at Neiman Marcus in San Francisco

More things to do in San Francisco.

Way more things to do in San Francisco.

More tea rooms in Northern California.

More tea times around the world.  

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

images ©2016 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

San Francisco: Lovejoy’s Tea Room + Lovejoy’s Attic + Noe Valley neighborhood; restaurant review + things to do

San Francisco

Lovejoy’s Tea Room  

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. 

exterior of Lovejoy’s Tea Room in San Francisco

reservation card at Lovejoy’s Tea Room in San Francisco

interior of Lovejoy’s Tea Room in San Francisco

set at Lovejoy’s Tea Room in San Francisco

vintage teapot at Lovejoy’s Tea Room in San Francisco

High Tea at Lovejoy’s Tea Room in San Francisco

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!

 

exterior of Lovejoy’s Attic in San Francisco

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.

a perfect day in the Noe Valley neighborhood in San Francisco

More things to do in San Francisco.
 
Way more things to do in San Francisco.

More tea rooms in Northern California.

More tea times around the world.
 
More ideas for exploring Northern California.

images ©2016 Carole Terwilliger Meyers