Over a decade. I wanted to take the Huz here over a decade ago, hehe. (covering mouth smiling emoji) I’ve been to Dartealing Lounge in the City many times. First time was in April of 2015. And then did an official Revisit in February 2024, during Leg 3 of the Tour for “Best Sandwiches”. You could see which one I’m obsessed with here. But sprinkled in between, I’ve taken numerous friends and hosted countless tea parties there. They’re pretty high up on my raTEAng and it’s always the sandwiches I come back for. I’ve been wanting him to try…

We were supposed to go up to Tiburon (if you know why I go there, you’re a real one) for their Spring appearance. I’ve been back for every month they’ve offered since I tried their tea service for the first time over a year ago (they only do it 3-4 times a year, and I NEED every single one haha). But since he still hadn’t been to Dartealing’s, we made a quick switcheroo. It just so happened they were just starting their “Latin Flair” tea service menu and we were happy to try it! Ugh (whiny face emoji), when I tell you these were some of the most inventive flavors and offerings… You have to go. Now. I mean, get on your phone and start typing in their website to make online reservations NOW cuz you only have til June!! Come on!

And of course they still offered a fish sandwich. And of course I still ordered it. And of course I still devoured every. Last. Morsel.

They’re doing new menus every 3 months and we have every intention of coming back to try them all. Also, always a pleasure to catch up and chat with the owner and hear all her creative brilliance. She’s been in the game a while and their longevity is attributed to her authenticity for the art of afternoon tea. An amazing human being with lots to share for her community. You want a TRUE afternoon tea experience with an unmistakable trademark feel + taste that sets them apart- come to Dartealing Lounge.

Nearly 2 years ago, I was supposed to take my dear friend to Lovey’s… But, life happened. So after much loss and many-a doctor’s appointment, here we finally were! Long awaited, much anticipated, and very needed + deserved. Tho we only live an hour or so away, we made believe we were on vacation! I took her to a shop close by and we shared a nice coastal walk, breathing in all that VITAMIN SEA!! It was a gorgeous day in Pacifica, thanks to our Creator.

She’s a Tea Lover and Cup + Saucer Collector, so it was only right to introduce her to the beloved Lovey’s Tea Shoppe! She enjoyed a delicious cuppa of their Royal Blend (a black tea with vanilla and grenadine) and went on a little spree. I was so happy for her! Also nice to see the Lovey’s Team and they always treat me and any guest I take so so well. Thank you G + G!! Until next time… (hopefully not in 2 years!)

We also have a new country to give a *shout out* to… Hello to our Nigeria Readers and thank you for visiting our little neck of the woods on the internet! Thank you again to all our loyal Followers still rockin with us (do people still say that?) on our socials and maintaining our high views here. Love yall lots. Thank too to those who donate, always.

Can’t wait to tell you what we have going on in May!! Check back!

Last Visit:

Crown & Crumpet

22 Ross Common Ross, CA 94957

crownandcrumpet.com

I had a post all ready in mind, feeling proud to announce that I hadn’t had any afternoon tea rendezvous in February (since yes, I have had Leisure Teas in each past months since I’ve retired hehe), buut- I COULD NOT MISS THIS ONE. Since I’m off all my social media accounts, someone (Thank you boo!) sent me a screenshot of Crown’s announcement post that they were closing!! NO WAY. I had to hop on my IG real quick to see for myself and message their owner. Worked out what I could in my schedule to finagle a visit and in minutes time I booked a table a day before their last, whew.

For those that don’t know, Crown & Crumpet was my first ever Spot on this Tea Tour.

As always, was greeted so warmly by Miss Amy! Caught up a bit about their closure and my retirement… Had the most amazing (as per ushe.) tea service. Their fresh toasted Crumpets, I always have to have first. Delicious Stardust Tea, ugh I love me a clove tea. And (I wanna cry just thinking about it) their SLAMMIN Honey Roasted Ham with English Cheddar & Granny Smith Apple tea sandwich!! It was the perfect afternoon before we had to say ‘goodbye’…for now. You can still see them for pop-ups, events + classes at the Marin Art and Garden Center maringarden.org Please also keep in touch with Crown & Crumpet on their website (link above) and socials @crownandcrumpet *Special Shout-Out* to the sweet couple we met at the table next to us and got to chatting for a bit! We absolutely adored you, D + C!

Until we see you again, Crown & Crumpet! YOU WILL ALWAYS BE MY FIRST!!!

All Crown & Crumpet related posts:

Spot #1 :: Crown & Crumpet Tea Stop Cafe

Spot #38 :: Crown & Crumpet Ross

New Menu Visit:

Muir’s Tea Room

330 S Main Street Sebastopol, CA 94572

www.muirstearoomandcafe.com

[photo cred (no big-salad’ing here) to the Huz from his iPhone]

You think I could be kept away from Muir’s?? Never!! OF COURSE I was going to be there on the very first day of this brand new theme: Muir’s Tè Invernale Alpino! We got sat at this romantic corner. Table for 2, me + the Huz, during our anni month hehe. (we make 23 years married on the 25th, wowza) And in true Muir’s Tea Room fashion, the music selection was perfect.

We always have to order one of their Prosecco Cocktails, cuz they make em just SO GOOD. Lots of luscious sparkling wine, with a healthy splash of their signature juices mixes.

Red Robin (tart cherry juice with prosecco) – Exactly what I wanted. It was cinnamony and spicy, and still had the flavor of the prosecco which is my jam. I always say: “Any day I have champagne (or sparking wine), is a good day!”

Sebastopol Apple Blossom (apple essence with prosecco) – He said it was crisp + refreshing!

Maple Walnut Green Tea – I had just run out of this at home, so I already knew on the drive over that this is what I was ordering! Haha. Fix, satisfied.

Lime Chiffon Rooibos Tea – We love a citrus chiffon tea ’round here. Mmm, lime rind and creamy tea. Ugh, so good this one.

Val Gardena Antipasta Chopped Insalata – I wanna say that this is probably the ONLY tea room or afternoon tea service where I finish the salad. (if I was at home, I would legit probably lick the plate…haha, shh don’t tell) They tried something a little different with their salad this time, and they did good! I can’t stress enoughh just how much I loved those little cubes of “cheese”. So fun and so so creamy! I coulda had 35 of them joints on mine.

Traditional Italian Amarena Cherry & Almond Scone – Something different with the scone today too. The tart cherries and their lemon curd paired wonderfully together.

Gran Dolomiti Cucumber with Chives Tea Sandwich – Me after I took my first bite: “it’s Muir’s.”

Santa Maddalena Pesto, Fagiloi Bianchi & vine ripe tomato Finger Sandwich – Okay, that tasted like Nonna just made it for your afterschool snack! The basil came through nicely and those were the juiciest tomatoes of all the tomatoes.

Bellagio Hearts of Palm & Artichoke Heart Vol Au Vent – My eyes rolled back in my head a little. Delicate crispy pastry you can bite through every delicious induvial layer. The green onions!! And I could not believe that was plant-based. This was both our favorite. Saved my last bite for my last bite of this service.

La Vetta Fungo Tarta with Castagne (mushroom & chestnut tart) – I wanna cry! So savory. I love chestnut anything.

Tre Cime di Lavaredo Spinach and Garlic Puff Pastry – That pastry melts in your mouth. And there was just so much of it!

Cortina d’Ampezzo Fireside Pepper & “Sausage” Tartine – Me (whining): “What is that?!” Him: “Love.” I was so excited to have this one cuz it resembled the one from their Alice Tea Service, my favorite!! Ate this one slowly cuz I savored every moment!

Mont Blanc Biscotto al Cioccolato e Nocciole (chocolate hazelnut cookie) – The cookie part!! The texture with the sugar crystals!! (whiny emoji face) I loved this.

Trentino Tiramisu Cupcake – It’s like sticky and I like it. The frosting is super light.

So they tried something new with this tea service and I am not mad at it one bit. Did you count? Go ahead, scroll down, I’ll wait… SIX Savories and two sweets!! You guys already know how I feel about this one. I’ve commented on many a service that has like 15 different sugary items, and then only 2 salty ones. I don’t like that!! (steamy nostrils emoji) I love love loved that Muir’s did more savories than sweets. And not just that, but not too many sweets either. The 2 they served were such good quality, it was just enough. And they always have a bounty of fresh fruits on their tiers too (the Huz always loves those).

Um, so… At dinner tonight, I was LEGIT trying to see if I can finagle coming back before this theme is over!!! HAHAHA! They always do a good job and I don’t say this at every theme I have of theirs… But forreal- this was my favorite one. Period!! My Italian Grandfather would be proud. They are serving it through February (planned this whole thing before they even knew the Olympics were gonna be in Cortina this year!) so if at all possible = GO!! If you need a date, I’m available. Hahah.

A TREMENDOUS THANK YOU to all our loyal Readers!! We had a new country visiting…hello + welcome to the people of Lithuania! And one random Sunday, our views skyrocketed to 123X (yes, that says ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-THREE TIMES!!) the views from the day before!!?! The most views in one day for parTEA with me history!! I don’t know who shared our website or where and who went viral hehe- but THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! Honestly, our website views have been the most consistently high they’ve ever been!? And we’re not even on social media whaaat!!?! Thank you thank you thank you. (three heart emojis) (three kissy face emojis)

All Muir’s Tea Room related posts:

Spot #28 :: Muir’s Tea Room

Spot Revisit :: Muir’s Tea Room (#28) – Best Overall

NEW MENU ALERT! Muir’s Tea Room | Alice in Wonderland

NEW MENU ALERT! Muir’s Tea Room | Holoholo Tiki Tea

NEW MENU ALERT! Muir’s Tea Room | Winter Woodland Wonderland

NEW MENU ALERT! Muir’s Tea Room | Mystical Mermaids of the World

STORY TIME: I was trying to think of where to start this, and realized it stems as far back as our wedding day in January 2003. The plan was to be wed surrounded by ocean views at my dream location: The Lighthouse Hotel in Pacifica. The intimate 25-people ceremony we initially wanted was vetoed by our grandiose narc bio moms, so we needed more space to accommodate their egos. Plan B – Have a beach wedding on our favorite beach in HMB. Since January is winter and beaches are outdoor, that too was out of the question. We just wanted to be married… We gave in and allowed our mothers to have the show they both needed, 300+ people later, nowhere near a beach.

We wanted to do a big 10 Year. But the way events in our life worked, it was going to have to be a big 11th hehe. Again, my dream of that Lighthouse Hotel filled my headspace. It was 2012 and I got to work with brainstorming and planning. I started a Pinterest Board. “Farmhouse decor” wasn’t yet so big at the time, so I wasn’t really able to find my vision on the internet. I just pictured lots of white linen, burlap table runners, and lots + lots of mason jars!! It was going to be clean + minimal, with a touch of farmhouse, shabby chic, and beachy elements. I love me a good mismatchy moment. So I wasn’t gonna just BUY uniform mason jars at the store. I was going to drink, eat, and use all the things that came in different heights and thicknesses of mason jars, so that I could have them as decor for my party! And I had 2 years to do this!! (of course my family helped, and we thrifted some too)

When you’re excited about something, you tell people right!? I shared with a few close friends about my party plans, because I was thrilled to be having the wedding event that I(we) originally wanted. “Lots of white linen…burlap…mason jars…”

A friend of mine was throwing a party for her best friend and her husband. Their 10-year anniversary in December, so a month before ours. In a conversation with some friends, someone asked her what she had planned. “A LOT OF WHITE LINEN…BURLAP DECORATIONS…AND MASON JARS…YOU KNOW, SHABBY CHIC.” I was floored. There was no question that she had clearly copied my entire design for our anniversary party that I had been planning for the last year. I told her verbatim what my plan was and she was even following me on Pinterest.

No more dinner party for us. No more beach views. No more Lighthouse Hotel. No white linen. No burlap. NO MASON JARS. I was done. I surely wasn’t going to have a party the month after with the same items from hers. We aborted mission and had to start from scratch. Thankfully, because I was the experienced Event Planner at the time that I was, I was able to come up with an entirely new direction and we had the celebration of the decade!! We hosted an Anniversary Showcase instead. Untraditional, because that’s who we are. Rented a small theater, hired 2 American Idol finalists to perform (I was a big American Idol fan back then), and hosted an amazing show + night for 200 of our friends and family. We even had a step and repeat backdrop so our guests could take photos with the performers!

And the mason jars, you ask? What happened to them? Well, while we were transitioning out of ‘dinner party’ mindset… My husband goes, you should just show up at her front door with all these mason jars and say (with disgust at their existence and embarrassment that they’re old news): “Here, I don’t even need these anymore.”

I had to tell that story because it seemed the only + perfect way to explain why I am retiring.

Yes, that’s what I said. I am retiring. At the close of this Leg of the Tour, I will no longer be visiting Tea Rooms and Tea Houses all over the greater San Francisco Bay Area and reviewing + writing about them. I have been at this for over 10 years and I have wanted this since last year. My health isn’t getting any better. (For those that need to catch up, start with this post: ‘I was given 3 years’) As a matter of fact, I only went through with this 4th Leg because my husband said it could be my last…

I will still go to afternoon tea, of course I will. It just won’t be a “job” anymore. I will get to go to all my favorite places with all my favorite people whenever I want, and not have to take notes or take photos of everything (or worse, video ew). Don’t get me wrong. It has been an absolute pleasure getting paid to write and do what I love. And I have met and made real relationships with so many along the way, professional and personal. I just wasn’t a fan of the business and socials part of it all. I am NOT an Influencer or Content Creator. I have ALWAYS first and foremost been a Writer. When I started this website over 10 years ago, I didn’t have to make reels or TikToks to get traffic to my site. And while many of you were still visiting this page even while we were on hiatus for a bit, numbers don’t lie. It is BECAUSE of our social media activity that our views get booming…after that Threads post, or after that funny voiceover I posted on TikTok. And it is through Instagram that I have been able to chat with many of you, and send you to all these places, and hear about how much your party enjoyed them. So I get how social media helps, I really do. However- it’s not where I want to be.

I have also closed my small private gourmet tea boutique. I have cut out a lot of unnecessary activities and distractions around me. I’ve wanted this for a long time! I guess this 4th Leg was my last hurrah. People (the few that I’ve told) have asked what I am going to be doing now that I am moving away from Tea. And- nothing! For however long I have left on this earth, I just want to live it in peace, quiet, and ease.

I read a thread recently. April Kae (I don’t know who she is but I always give credit where due @aprilkae) said: “The worst creative trap is creating only for applause. Don’t. Create for the part of you that needs to be heard.” And it struck a chord with me. I replied: “I feel this. I’ve created for so long… I have told my story, I have felt heard, and now I just want quiet.” Being done with creative ventures means I no longer have to soothe my trauma. To be perfectly honest- I needed all these [good] distractions all my life to keep from crumbling. Now, I’m okay with the quiet. I’ve healed enough to be okay with quiet.

How does this all connect to mason jars?

When I found out someone had stole my idea and tried to sell it to everyone as her own (btw, not the first time that was done to me…read more here)- I was DONE. Get those mason jars out my face, I don’t wanna see another mason jar for as long as I live, don’t ever associate me with mason jars ever again. I just wanted to wash myself from ever having collected them in the first place. They were beneath me. And NO! No one is trying to steal my website. And NO! I don’t think afternoon tea is beneath me. Not at all, never that. With what I see on social media, with Afternoon Tea just being overly saturated (errybody and they gramma wanna serve afternoon tea now) and taking away from the real + purist tea rooms… I just feel done. The aversion I feel isn’t isolated toward tea, the tea community, or even social media per se. To be CLEAR- it is for needing it and using it to put a veil over the repercussions of traumas that I no longer allow to hurt me.

One of my favorite lyrics from a song I appreciate says:

I wanna say I lived each day, until I died

I know that I had something in somebody’s life

The hearts I have touched, will be the proof that I leave

That I made a difference and this world will see

I was here

I lived, I loved, I was here

I did, I’ve done, everything that I wanted

And it was more than I thought it would be

I will leave my mark so everyone will know

I was here

I have made my presence in the Tea and Foodie Community. I have the respect and recognition from reputable people there. I have nothing to prove. “Queen of Tea in the Bay Area” was a name given to me. ORIGINAL CREATOR of “parTEA with me” is who I will always be. No one can change that. (no matter how much they might want to ha)

I am deactivating all my social media accounts. But this website will stay open (with the exception of archiving some more personal posts). If you haven’t already, please please PLEASE enter your email and subscribe to our email list. That will be the only way you can keep up with what we got going on in the future. There are still places I want to try! If I write about them or not…you’ll have to stay tuned. So much love to all of you who have been loyal to parTEA with me from the very beginning. (three prayer hand/gratitude emojis) Every single one of you who have donated have a special place in my heart. There are specific instructions my husband has as well, to update you all on my health… See you again. All Love, Olyve Rose