I’m sorry you didn’t get any treats after yesterday’s walk, so let’s fly from France to Pasadena, California for tea at my favorite tea shop there…Chado.
I discovered this delightful spot on a visit several years ago, spending so much time there during my short visit that they knew me.
Chado serves tea, lunch, and tea service, the latter complete with sweets and tea sandwiches. I’ve had the lunch, but I mostly get just tea. They also sell teapots, cups, and paraphernalia.
It takes quite a bit of time to chose a tea, as the tea menu is about half an inch thick, describing not only all the teas but everything you want to know about tea and how to brew it as well.
Tea cups and pots are all different and I scored a cute pot and a beautiful cup. It held enough tea that I had any number of cups and took a medium to-go cup with me when I left. The foam underneath the spout keeps tea from dripping.
I’d planned not to buy any tea, but enjoyed Brendan’s Breakfast Blend so much that I bought some. You can buy their tea online as well.
This, that and the other thing 
That elephant teapot though…aw!
I now. It was so cute.
janet
What a a lovely place for tea! I like that elephant teapot. Thanks, Janet, for sharing.
It’s a wonderful place for tea and so many choices that you could go every day for half a year or more trying a different tea each time. Thanks for coming along, Natalie.
I love the experience of visiting a tea shop. Everything is elegant and usually absolutely delicious. It reminds you of days gone by when you didn’t wear your pajamas out in public. 🙂
Don’t go there with the pajamas, Judy. I want to stay in the positive mood induced by this lovely setting and tea. 🙂 (Along with the pajamas, please include wearing what appear to be house slippers outside and not just to get the paper in the morning!!)
Tea rooms are so rare, it’s a real treat and luxury to enjoy such a lovely space! If I can put in another bid for the bay area, I can recommend another one or two out here that are pretty special. 🙂
Your bid was accepted long ago, Hannah. Have to get moved first, but I have relatives in that area and a few other bloggers I love to meet besides you, places to see, and food to try. 🙂
That teapot and cup are just lovely! I haven’t taken tea in a tea shop in years.
I take good tea wherever I can find it and with the advent of so many coffee shops, there have also come more tea shops, although many times it’s a coffee shop with tea. That’s fine if the tea’s good. Then I can smell the coffee and enjoy the taste of the tea. 🙂 But a tea shop that isn’t too fru fru is rare! My favorite tea shop in my area (although still a 40 minute drive) is TeaLula (https://tealula.com/.) The space is inviting to anyone, not just women; the tea is wonderful; the staff knowledgeable and friendly. No tea shops where we’re moving and no, I’m not going to start one!! 🙂
The two I went to in Silicon Valley were froufrou, but the Fairmont Hotel had a nice tea in the late afternoon that both He-Man and I enjoyed. It wasn’t a froufrou setting at all so he was quite comfy.
Reno may have one, but I’m avoiding it preferring my small town to the large city.
I love tea! The teacup is so beautiful!
I love tea also and yes, that cup is beautiful. They have a great variety of cups and pots, so it’s lots of fun.
I can imagine that
What a divine small shop with its eloquent dishware, thanks for the tour.
So happy you could come along, S.ally
What a cute teapot. I have tea every night but have never been in a tea shop like that. How fun.
I do love tea rooms! Haven’t been to one in way too long!
If there’s one near you, go there as soon as possible. It’s so relaxing!
janet
Though (as you know) I’m more of a coffee drinker, I enjoy tea so much more when it’s served properly — especially if cake is also involved!
I love the cup and saucer; very pretty.
They serve a tea service here, Su, which I may have to try next time I’m there as it looks amazing. The lunch choices are also quite good and yes, the serving items are beautiful. All part of the experience.
Is a tea service what the British call a “high tea”. It’s not a term I’m familiar with.
I’m not sure if they call it tea service, but it would be an afternoon tea, not a high tea. There are sweets and finger sandwiches.
Ah; my confusion. It’s what we Kiwis (erroneously) call “high tea”. But of course, it’s afternoon tea.
When I was a child, my family called the evening meal “tea” — which I now know to be high tea.
Thanks for setting me off on the path of clarification Janet.
My pleasure, Su. Sorry for the confusion.
Not your confusion Janet — and ultimately clarity for me, so a win!
I’ve never seen the foam used to prevent drips. The pots and cups are so lovely as is the inviting space…much needed on these chilly autumn days.
I hadn’t seen that foam before, either. It doesn’t look as attractive but it works well and saves the tablecloth. The whole place is just wonderful and inviting, even though in Pasadena, autumn doesn’t get very cold. 🙂
Yes, when I lived in Oxnard I missed the four seasons of Virginia. Happy to have them once again.
SO, you are a tea lover!
Or are you prone to both tea and coffee?
This is a very lovely place you have shared.
I’m a tea lover. When I have coffee, it’s in the form of a mocha, preferably with dark chocolate, a cappuccino, or something similar. Our younger daughter did get me to try a double espresso last time I was in Philly, but I prefer the other choices. 🙂
Yes, Chado is wonderful. Just too bad it’s so far away.
I love tea! This looks like a great place to savor it.
It is and they have so many choices of delicious tea.
Ohh….I’d love that.
Splendid 🙂
It was. 🙂
Lovely tea cups … 😎
I especially liked the one I got that day and that elephant pot was so cute. 😉
Oooo! I’ll be right there! We’ve had a couple of tea shops open (and close) in Corydon. I tried them, and they weren’t much punkin (not very good). I haven’t had a really smashing tea since I visited England, lo, these many years ago. Thanks for the treat!
What a delight. My parents were terribly terribly English. Tea in the right pot. Served in the right cup and saucer. A ceremony to be enjoyed. No tea bags hanging out of a mug in our home. Love love love the precious elephant teapot. Cheers Virginia
Yes, that teapot is adorable. And don’t forget to warm the pot first!! 🙂 I don’t use teabags either unless I’m traveling and then I often use my own tea in a bag. These days there are lots of tea bags with full leaves, so that’s infinitely better than when there was just Lipton and the like, filled with sweepings!!
There is something very comforting about the ritual of making a pot of tea. I have a collection of tea pots, and of course my favorite – affectionately knows as “the brown betty”. A good cup of tea can make almost anything better. Cheers Virginia
How fun. I love the elephant tea pot.
They have some beautiful ones as well as these interesting ones. 😉. If I lived in Pasadena, I’d spend way too much time and money there!
janet