Visit These 7 Charming Tearooms In New Mexico For A Taste Of The Past
Instead of careening through the drive-through a coffee shop on your way to work or a meeting and gulping down the brew while driving, why not take some time to enjoy a hot drink the way they did long ago? Here are seven establishments in New Mexico where you can enjoy tea in a more refined way.
Mary Alice Higbie, a classically trained Japanese porcelain artist, china painter and expert gardener, opened this tea room in 1999 as a place where patrons could "escape the tyranny of the urgent." Flaky scones, dainty savories and 59 loose-leaf teas offer Burqueans a taste of Victoriana. The Library is ideal for large, private parties, while the nine "nooks" provide cozy settings for just a few.
The Ivy provides a more hip, whimsical, fun and modern teatime experience than most tea rooms. The Ivy Tearoom opened May 2015 to offer less pomp and circumstance and a more light and airy way to enjoy a traditional cup of tea.
Wednesday through Saturday, enjoy "Reposo" in the lobby of the elegant Hotel St. Francis, featuring fine teas, sherry and delicate cuisine. There are no finger sandwiches, but you can order a divine cheese plate or decadent desserts such as the Dark Belgian Chocolate Torte, flan made with organic goat milk or Monk's Fruit Cake.
Ice's Organic Farm, owned and worked by Ron and Gayle Ice, is located eight miles north of Española. Gayle serves chicken salad, green chile jelly, deviled eggs and fruit sorbet with her tea.
No reservations are required for parties under six at Figments. You will purchase your tea separately and choose from 150 different teas. SpecialTea drinks are featured, such as London Rain, made with creamy vanilla Earl Grey tea.
The Teahouse serves exceptional teas from China, India, Japan and Sri Lanka and creates its own flavored teas locally. This Christmas Eve, The Teahouse will offer a three-course prix fixe menu, with seatings at 6 and 8 p.m.
Now, this last one isn’t a public tea room, but we thought you should know about it. Chado New Mexico is an organization that promotes an active understanding and appreciation of the Way of Tea in the Urasenke Tradition throughout New Mexico and works to increase goodwill and cultural exchange between the United States and Japan. It was founded in 2004 and is one of 100 Urasenke groups worldwide. Members attend tea gatherings, educational sessions, workshops and other events.
Have you lingered over tea in any of these places? Are there others we should know about? Please fill us in!
Here’s another peaceful place to visit in New Mexico and dodge the crowds.
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