Serenitea, Sugar Land
What a perfect town for those who sweeten their brew with one scoop or two. Archana Pyatt serves lunch and afternoon tea with finger sandwiches and scones. You may also take home loose tea, tea products, and a small selection of books “steeped in mystery and romance”--all with tea central to the plot. For reservations Monday through Saturday call (281) 491-4588. Visit www.sereniteatearoom.com.
Jenni’s Noodle House, Houston
Don’t worry about holding your pinkie out here while sipping tea. This hip place at 3111 South Shepherd at West Alabama is great for a mid-afternoon break. Try the chrysanthemum tea, layer cake, and Dream Rolls. Visit www.noodlesrule.com.
Café M. Bloomers, Navasota
Painted a yellow as cheerful as chrysanthemums, this cafe is at the heart of Martha’s Bloomers, a home and garden store. It serves lunch and tea 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with freshly-made scones (they’re great!) and other pastries. High tea, 2 to 4 p.m. daily, is by reservation only. Call (936) 870-3277. For special event teas, visit www.marthasbloomers.com.
Rosewood Crescent Hotel, Dallas
Take a late lunch after a late night, and have tea instead, 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Beau’s. You may choose from a dozen teas, including organic flowering teas, served with sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, and sparkling wine. Reservations are preferred. Visit www.rosewoodcrescent.com, or call (214) 871-3279.
The T Garden Café, Bryan
So here’s the big secret: Aggies are tea sippers, too! They sneak over from College Station for lunch and tea with chef-owner Jennifer Hardeman Lilleker, a Bryan native, and a graduate of Culinary Institute of America and of The University of Texas at Austin. Yes, a tea sipper in Bryan serves tea to Aggies. The mind reels. With tea, by reservation only, 2 to 5 p.m., you might snack on a truffle but consider Jennifer’s awesome desserts, such as peach-amaretto-blackberry cobbler. For reservations, call (979) 268-4171. Visit www.tgardencafe.com.
