Last year I wrote a full and comprehensive post about our Valentine’s Day trip to L’Espalier for their afternoon tea service. I recommend reading that for all the details as this post is just an recap about this year’s tea (and because the pictures on that original blog are much better than these iPhone snaps).
This is the 4th year John and I have gotten tea at L’Espalier for Valentine’s Day. I think it’s my favorite tradition that we have. Every tea experience is both different and familiar. The quality of the food is always exquisite but the menu itself changes slightly every time. The ambiance is always sophisticated and classy but a different seat every year has offered us a new take on the dining room. The cheese selection is consistently excellent though regions and flavor profiles change.
Here’s the salon with a full view of the amazing cheese display case:
Here was the view from the corner nook we were seated in:
The newest, and most exciting, addition to our tea experience was the flowering tea. We were each served a blooming tea pod that flowers over the course of 10-15 minutes, releasing a gorgeous confetti of fragrances and flavors. It was so pretty and tasted delicious (ours was lavender and amaranth).
Here was our cheese course and tea sandwiches:
And, finally, the dessert course:
My favorites this year were the Earl Grey trifle (layered with grapefruit preserves, shortbread, and Earl Grey flavored cream) and, as always, the scones.
And, if you’re curious, here’s the outfit I wore for our Valentine’s Date Day (loving this new blouse I got at Macy’s):
Domestocrat 
John and I had a blooming tea in Hong Kong. I bought a pod for my mom for Christmas. I don’t know if she’s tried it yet.
We also had tea from a sandstone pot. Turns out you should only drink one type of tea from a sandstone pot because the sandstone will absorb the tea flavor. Every time you drink tea from that pot you get a stronger version of that tea. I guess until all you need to do is add water to the pot.
They are so pretty!
Oooh, I’d like a pot like that :)
Nice review! I’ve always associated cheese plate with wine, not with tea. But this is an interesting idea! I think I may try that at the next tea party and try this place when I’m in Boston next time. All the food looks delicious. Call me old-fashioned, but drinking tea from wine glasss seem a bit sacrilegious. :I
You’re totally right. Their tea service is served in fine china. The wine glass here was for the visual effect of the blooming tea.