This article was written by The Zillennial Zine’s spring editorial intern Alexandrea Ciardella. Find her on Instagram at @a6ysma1. If you would like to share an article with The Zillennial, send us an email at thezillennialzine@gmail.com.
You may have seen them in television shows, read about them in books, and you may have even passed by one at some point. But if you’ve never visited one before, you may be wondering; what is a teahouse? Normally, they are small restaurants with a calm ambiance that can serve as a spot for social interactions. If you’ve never been to one before, here are a few reasons why you should visit a teahouse.
It’s important to note that there are variations of teahouses across different cultures, differing in teas served, food served, and overall atmosphere. For instance, teahouses from East Asia vary drastically from those in European culture, and some teahouses even boast an Asian-European fusion menu. I’m more familiar with European-style teahouses, and they seem to be the most popular style in my area, so this article will be reviewing establishments in that same style.
The main attraction to these teahouses is the tea sets that they provide. Normally served with your choice of tea, these tea sets range from a dessert platter with scones, cakes, and jam, to a full lunch set complete with finger sandwiches. Many restaurants use traditional British combinations such as egg and cress, salmon and dill, or cucumber and cream cheese for their sandwiches. When I had the opportunity to try these sandwiches, I enjoyed the combinations of flavors and found them unique. As someone whose go-to sandwich is a turkey club every time, it was fun trying something new!
Prices for food items can vary from restaurant to restaurant, but in my experience, most items are at a moderate price- though a visit to a teahouse won’t break your bank, I wouldn’t recommend going every single day for afternoon tea.
To give you an idea of what an average teahouse is like, I’ll talk about my favorite location to visit- Sally Lunn’s in Chester, NJ. Originally located in Bath, England, this teahouse established a spot in the U.S. to provide food for an American audience. The environment of Sally Lunn’s is very cozy- styled after a Victorian parlor decorated with mismatched chairs, teacups, and a plethora of antique photographs.
Every time I visit, I always order a lemon-lavender punch (I know you’re supposed to order tea at a teahouse, but their punch is just too good!) and lobster salad sliders. For dessert, I love to order a warm chocolate chip scone that comes with strawberry jam and clotted cream. Just thinking about it makes me hungry!
I would recommend checking out a teahouse if you enjoy a light snack of tea and scones, or want to try new food with a British flair. Many teahouse locations can be found across the country- all you need is to do a quick internet search to find a location close to you!
So, what is a teahouse? I hope this has answered your question! Will you be trying one?
Leave a Reply