Spot #10 Revisit:

Dartealing Lounge

470 Third Street San Francisco, CA 94107

www.dartealinglounge.com

I did a lot of dancing today. And I don’t dance.

Okay so- when we first came on the Tour, that was in April 2015. And in my Dartealing post, I ended it with and I quote: “I would come back for the sandwiches alone.” That’s exactly what we did. I had been back a few times before today, but this time was on official Tour business! 😉 I have been to Tea Spots where they had one really good standout tea sandwich…but this place, ohh this place. EVERY SINGLE ONE of their tea sandwiches is a banger!! (and I don’t even use that kind of today’s language) I’m just running out of descriptive words for something so inexplicably, ridiculously GOOD. (or at least, appealing to the modern generation hehe)

Another reason I love to come here is for their decor. I’ve mentioned it a couple times since my podcast interview with Talk Tea To Me Podcast, that one of the main reasons I fell in love with afternoon tea is because of my interest in interior design. When I visit new Tea Spots, I am also taking in all the little details in every corner of their tea room. I love the ones that are set in a home (like: the White Hart Tea Room, the Pardee Home, and Muir’s of course). And even tho they’ve closed, super eclectic like Satori and super shabby chic like the English Rose (ugh, that one still hurts). So when I step into Dartealing, I appreciate all the little stories in each seating area. Major vibes!! (I don’t know what’s happening to me in this blog post!? Another current day word)

It’s really nice, this time around we didn’t have to pre-order. They have a set menu now, and then you can add on some specials. But first, tea!

There were 4 of us- oh! I didn’t even tell you who I brought with me!? I had the OG’s in our party today. Gorgeous drive into the City together. It was like cloudy up high, but so so clear down low…like you could see all the bridges. It was strange, a little eerie, and beautiful all at the same time. I seriously wish I had gotten a picture, but I was being present and knew by the time I fumbled with my camera it would all be over. Anyway, here are the 4 choices we picked:

Mr. Carson’s Secret Stash (toffee notes, vanilla, subtle fruit notes, full body, organic blend) – Perfect choice for me! Needs a good deep steep, and then it’s like coffee’ish!

Cherry Blossom Bliss (Japanese sencha, morning rose petals, notes of cherries, bright finish) – Already smelled like spa! I love it.

Cabana Boy (strawberry, papaya, sweet fruit notes, fragrant medium body finish) – My girl said “love this one, ooh something hit me at the end… You could taste the green tea, and then the mango at the end…” It smelled so tropical, but then also a little spicy. The strawberry is unexpected in a tropical blend, but was nice.

#tajmahal (bergamot, cardamom, spices, organic, limited edition blend) – This was my 2nd choice, so I’m glad someone picked it. You can really taste the cardamom, which I love!

I love my OG’s cuz they been in this game with me since Day One. They know the drill, it’s comfy, it’s safe, it’s easy, it’s funny, it’s love, it’s crying (someone always cries)! Girlfriend was leaned over all the way to the right, whilst my hip was pretty much resting on her shoulder so I could get these shots of this tier without disturbing the party next to us and getting them in my shot!! (yall know I’m exaggerating)

Cucumber, Arugula & Shaved Radish – It’s always fun when they do something a little different with the cucumber. And they already had me at ‘arugula’. But this was sweeter!? Not usual in your typical cucumber tea sandwich. I danced.

Brie, Quince Jelly & Apple – So this one usually has sweet pepper jelly instead, but they ran out. We were sad, but the quince was still good! And you could tell this was a really good quality brie, YUM.

Ham, Gouda & Spicy Garlicky Aioli – My notes said ‘This tastes like I’m at a party!’ You know when you go to a party and they serve you some bomb-dot-com food!? Yeah, that’s what I felt like. I really danced!! And the spicy wasn’t too much. My girl said it was an “explosion of flavors!”

Because I’m a self-proclaimed certified Fat Girl (we’re honest here right??) (No disrespect to anyone, including myself- this is a legit term of endearment in my house!! Get on board and no need to “school” me on PC ways to write, we are BODY POSITIVE around here and I am allowed to call myself what I want), I wanted to order BOTH Tea Sandwich Specials!! LOL. And thankfully, my girls wanted in too. I mean, we came here for the sandwiches right?!

Salmon Dill Honey Mustard – It’s really hard to come up with words to explain these sandwiches, because they are really just so good- there aren’t any English words to explain these flavors!? For such little bites (I think it takes 3 for me), there are entire FULL experiences!! You just have to come here and try. I’m serious. The mustard in this one was soooo gooooood!! (I’m whining)

Fish n’ Chips – This is the precise sandwich I came back for. It wasn’t here for our initial visit, but I had had it when I came back one of the other times. And- I wanna cry. When you order it, it comes freshly made + warm and in 4 servings. I LEGIT wanted to order another 4 just for myself!! Haha, mad greedy huh!? The flavors are incredible, and there’s a crunch from the ‘chip’ part. (SIGH) If anything, come to Dartealing Lounge just for this sandwich okay?? Did you hear me?!

Savory Tea Hors D’oeuvre (Black Bean Empanada) – The girls loved this one! The pastry was well done, the beans were not dry, and the toppings complimented it stunningly.

English-Style Pork Sausage Roll – You could taste each individual ingredient + spice these were made with. So good.

Strawberry Rose Scone – “I wanna sing!” my girl exclaimed, as she was enjoying her scone. Crispy edges (check), fluffy insides (check). The cream + preserves made it so decadent. And the rose was just slight, didn’t taste like perfume. Yum, just yum.

Assortment of Petit Tea Sweets (Raspberry Streusel) – A nice good chunky chewy bite!

Assortment of Petit Tea Sweets (Cheesecake) – A lot of “MMMM” and whining and dancing for one little bite of cheesecake. I could have had a whole tin to myself. (see, F– Girl!)

Seasonal Shortbread Cookie (Red Velvet) – Good sturdy cookie, not too sweet at all.

So what made this visit really special… Aside from the spectacular sandwiches, the amazing decor, and my comfy girlfriends… The owner came out to meet with us. In conversation I had mentioned to our sweet server that we were part of the Tour, and shortly after the gorgeous genius of this all came out herself! It was so kind of her to allow us to have a peek inside her head, on the inspo to her tea house. This was mid-meal. But AFTER the meal, she came back again. That’s when you know a genuine connection was made. And for my girls, that was really special to them. Doing this for as long as I have + as often as I get to, I have had the opportunity to meet some awesome human beings behind operations of some brilliant tea rooms + restaurants. So I was grateful that the girls got to experience that part too. Customer service here is top notch as well. My lovely Readers + Followers, if you haven’t already- treat yourself to a fantastic tea service at Dartealing. Tell them I sent you! (kissy face emojis) Maybe you’ll see me there…behind the pile of fish + chip sandwiches!! Hahah!

All Dartealing Lounge related posts:

Spot #10 :: Dartealing Lounge

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