Friday food

My column this week for WCCO was all about holiday teas. Last weekend, I had the pleasure of trying one out for myself, in a somewhat unlikely spot: Brit's Pub.

I've never had tea at Brit's, although I believe they offer a less formal version during other times of the year. I have been, many times, for lunch at Brit's--they have my absolute favorite fish and chips ever, and they also get major points for taking an otherwise dull rooftop area and developing a lawn bowling field. As I've said many times, I hate boring outdoor spaces, or those that overlook Macy's parking lots, but the use of the Brit's roof is fantastic.

But tea? At a pub? That's not how we do it in Minnesota, is it? We go to the St. Paul Hotel, or the Arboretum, or a tea house, and we dress to the nines. Not to a pub with rowdy football (American version this time of year) fans watching big-screen TVs.

You can see it's a very cheerful place. My understanding is that during major international sporting events, they open early in the morning to offer viewers a chance to watch those sports in a group. Since there's not a single sport I can think of that I would get up early to watch, I've never attended one of those events.

However, holiday tea is something I will plan for. The tea itself took place in a separate room from the main pub, much quieter, and with a pretty tree.

There were many choices of teas, and my friend and I opted for the special holiday blend.

Which was lovely. Sweet, but gently so, and with some fragrant spices mixed in, but not overpowering.

But of course the centerpiece of this visit wasn't the actual tea.

Lordy. What a bounty. And this doesn't reflect the cup of sticky toffee pudding that arrived later. Here, for two, were English cheeses (a sage derby and a Cotswold, both delicious) and a spinach-feta-phyllo triangle; sandwiches, including cucumber with watercress and cream cheese, tarragon chicken salad on a croissant, egg salad and shaved ham, and smoked salmon with lingonberry preserves; two enormous scones (per diner) with butter, marmalade, blackberry jam, and lemon curd; and fruit tarts and assorted chocolate bars. 

Seriously? So good. Everything was delicious, so flavorful and beautifully presented. The service was good, friendly but unobtrusive, allowing us to enjoy the tea without rushing (and the table next to us was treated the same way). We ended up bringing home the sweets and the second scones, because we simply couldn't eat it all at one sitting (tempting though it was). 

All in all, a wonderful kickoff to the holiday season. Thanks to Brit's Pub for comping my tea. Next time I'll gladly pay for the treat.

Comments

[cursingmama]

It looks divine, and certainly much better than the cup of vanilla chai & piece holiday chocolate I just finished.

If the right people were involved I would totally get up early & go watch world cup soccer at Brits - I bet its an amazing experience not unlike tailgating for a winning American football team.