On a lovely summer afternoon, Lewis and I made reservations at Bosie Tea Parlor for their Chef's Tea Service. The cost was $60.00 per person, but two people must be involved. Thus, it is a "Tea For Two" experience. As the English say, it was a "proper afternoon tea". (In the U.K., "proper" = sufficient).
The cozy teahouse is tucked behind Bleecker Street, in Greenwich Village, which is a pretty neighborhood in Lower Manhattan.
We arrived at 1pm, and Kara greeted us with a genuine smile and "spring in her step".
After being shown to our homey "deuce", we perused their Tea Menu (of 100+ loose-leaf organic teas from around the world). Flavors are hand-blended by resident Tea Master, Kiley Holliday (the youngest female certified tea master in America). I chose Darjeeling Blue (seen below); the runner-up was a former imperial tea from China.
Lewis selected Kyoto Cherry Rose green tea, reminiscing of our trip to Kyoto, Japan. *See this blog post about it:
http://halfwindsorfullthrottle.blogspot.com/2016/11/our-trip-to-japan-5-of-7-kyoto-gardens.html
All the teas are stored in copper-colored tins, and you're invited to smell each before choosing.
The French pastry chef, Damien Herrgott, worked at Ladurée in Paris (which Lewis and snacked at, during our visit in the French capital)...
...and for the "god of pastry", Pierre Hermé.
*If you want to eat at that Ladurée flagship store, it is in the 13th arrondissement of Paris.
When you make your reservation, he asks about any food allergies. During your teatime, the canapés and scones are pre-chosen by him. However, you are invited to choose your pastries and macarons when you arrive. Everything is made in-house! Voila!
Incidentally, macarons originated in Italy but were brought to France by Catherine de' Medici (of Florence's renown banking family) when she married its crown-prince. To see our trip to Florence (and her birthplace), please click this link:
Incidentally, macarons originated in Italy but were brought to France by Catherine de' Medici (of Florence's renown banking family) when she married its crown-prince. To see our trip to Florence (and her birthplace), please click this link:
From the refrigerated display case, I ordered a Black Currant Violet Almondine tart, and Lews ordered the Darjeeling tart (both seen above). Seen below, are the two pastries that we'll try during our next visit, when we want a cup of tea!
Given the option, we decided to have our champagne when the dessert arrived. Lewis appreciated how the foods came out in courses. He was delighted at the sight of the 3-tier pedestal!
Clotted cream (sweet and lovely on the tongue) and raspberry preserves accompanied our sugar scones. We realized that the chef made four types of bread for the first course: scones, wheat puffs (filled with crabmeat), white bread puffs (filled with egg salad with shaved truffles on top), and brioche toasts (with cold duck breast atop).
The cold duck breast was my favorite! A lovely European summer lunch item! You get a few cups from their small teapot. (A large pot is also offered from the regular menu).
By the time we finished our canapés, another barista arrived for work (in straw fedora and lavender linen shirt), and he cleared our table before dessert. Because Kara admired how much fun we were having--and how much we savored the experience--she gave us two extra desserts, complimentary: a matcha tea cake (topped with condensed apricot jelly) and a lemon/poppy cake!
We heard the pop of champagne, and our chilled flutes arrived, bursting with bubbles.
Using my Vivino Wine app, I researched the bottle they poured for us: a Vouvray champagne from the Loire Valley in the République Française.
While the tea steeped (in precise water temperatures for each), I perused their bookshelves.
Kara admitted that mine was underrated: a real gem! It came out in a luscious color and aroma--perfect for both the savory and sweet foods on our menu.
Given the option, we decided to have our champagne when the dessert arrived. Lewis appreciated how the foods came out in courses. He was delighted at the sight of the 3-tier pedestal!
Clotted cream (sweet and lovely on the tongue) and raspberry preserves accompanied our sugar scones. We realized that the chef made four types of bread for the first course: scones, wheat puffs (filled with crabmeat), white bread puffs (filled with egg salad with shaved truffles on top), and brioche toasts (with cold duck breast atop).
With a gentlemanly flourish, Lewis poured our steaming fragrant teas!
The cold duck breast was my favorite! A lovely European summer lunch item! You get a few cups from their small teapot. (A large pot is also offered from the regular menu).
By the time we finished our canapés, another barista arrived for work (in straw fedora and lavender linen shirt), and he cleared our table before dessert. Because Kara admired how much fun we were having--and how much we savored the experience--she gave us two extra desserts, complimentary: a matcha tea cake (topped with condensed apricot jelly) and a lemon/poppy cake!
We heard the pop of champagne, and our chilled flutes arrived, bursting with bubbles.
Using my Vivino Wine app, I researched the bottle they poured for us: a Vouvray champagne from the Loire Valley in the République Française.
In 2011, Lewis and I visited the Loire Valley, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a font of superb wine.
Taking a bite out of my pastry revealed the luscious colors: blueberry, violet specs, and buttery crust.
My lemon/praline macaron was like a burst of sunshine!
We will definitely be back many times! Before we left, we chose some Viennoiseries: a Croffin (croissant made in a muffin tin, filled with cream) and a Canelé. We also ordered a small tin of White Peach tea! The aroma is unbelievable. For $6.00, you also get a handsome double-lidded tin!
Feeling in good spirits, we decided to stroll through the West Village... and burn off the calories.
Turning off Bleeker Street, we encountered the APS boutique, and Lewis' eyes lit up. No, not for the blue suede slip-ons.
Also on that trip to Japan, we shopped at a boutique in Osaka, and the salesman wore an APS denim jacket, which had pleats by the front (seen below in my picture from that day). *Go here to read about our trip to Osaka:
My lemon/praline macaron was like a burst of sunshine!
*Trivia: praline is named for Cesar de Choiseul, who was the Count due Plessis-Praslin in the 1600s.
The whole experience was so lovely, and we were attended to so warmly. In the background, we heard "regulars" arrive for their tea and espresso, chatting with the baristas.
We will definitely be back many times! Before we left, we chose some Viennoiseries: a Croffin (croissant made in a muffin tin, filled with cream) and a Canelé. We also ordered a small tin of White Peach tea! The aroma is unbelievable. For $6.00, you also get a handsome double-lidded tin!
Turning off Bleeker Street, we encountered the APS boutique, and Lewis' eyes lit up. No, not for the blue suede slip-ons.
Also on that trip to Japan, we shopped at a boutique in Osaka, and the salesman wore an APS denim jacket, which had pleats by the front (seen below in my picture from that day). *Go here to read about our trip to Osaka:
https://halfwindsorfullthrottle.blogspot.com/2016/11/our-trip-to-japan-6-of-7-osaka.html
Since then, Lewis intended to buy it. Thankfully, it's a "signature piece" of APS, and the store had one in Lewis' size. He snapped it up!
In case you're wondering, from there, we walked across town to Madison Square Park ...
and then to St. Mark's neighborhood...
to meet our friend Diana for dinner at hard-to-get-into eatery: The Bao.
Since then, Lewis intended to buy it. Thankfully, it's a "signature piece" of APS, and the store had one in Lewis' size. He snapped it up!
In case you're wondering, from there, we walked across town to Madison Square Park ...
We savored a platter of piquant-tasting Beef Tripe, Seafood Stew, cold Noodles, sautéed greens, Soup Dumplings, and spicy pork ribs. It was a wonderful day... with a sublime start!
*Note: a few years after this blog entry, Bosie went out of business. Like many "good things" in NYC, it could not survive: bribes demanded by the authorities, ransoms demanded by vendors to deliver what was ordered, corporate competition, government subsidies going to Fast Food, an ignorantly innutritious population, and greedily-skyrocketing rents.
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