Our 43rd Spot:

Julia’s Restaurant at Berkeley City Club

2315 Durant Avenue Berkeley, CA 94704

www.berkeleycityclub.com

Note: Our 42nd Spot was supposed to start offering afternoon tea in January, but they’re not quite up + running yet. Hopefully sometime in May. We’re keeping their spot number the same, which is why this one is our 43rd.

ONLY on Tuesdays. ONLY from 12 to 2. I was intrigued.

I mean, aren’t you now too?! Afternoon Tea served during such a small window. What’s it all about?? I wanna see!!

Tho they had been serving tea years before the pandemic, they only started serving again about a year ago. This Tea Spot was another last minute entry I dug up, and I squeezed ‘er in before the end of our Tour. I tell you, sometimes I surprise myself with how I find about these spots cuz there’s not a lot of promo or press or anything about this one. As booked as I was, I thankfully found one good ole Tuesday I could make before this Leg closed. Thank you to my date for joining me!

Doesn’t look like much outside. An old building you wouldn’t take a second look at if you were driving by. Tho once we got up those steps and inside the front door- immediate vibe change! We were directed by Reception to go to the 2nd floor, and I don’t know why but I asked if I could take pictures. She asked “Personal?”, and when I mentioned for a website, it was a no. I paused for a second to understand what that meant, and then I was relieved. No fussing with my DSLR today! Sure, I could have used my phone to take pics for myself and not post it. But I thought it was so freeing to be “camera-less” for the day AND to do our very first ~ No Photo Review ~ ! So that’s what this’ll be.

But let me tell you- you are gonna wanna come here. I’m not even going to attempt with words on what it looked like inside. Just know, I couldn’t get enough!! I think I’m actually doing you a favor for not posting any pics. Because you’re gonna wanna see this in real life for the first time in-person. I’m telling youuuu.

Off the bat, the service = immaculate.

We must’ve been in a green tea state of mind…because I ordered their Jasmine Flower and my date ordered the Dragonwell. “Good, no sugar, no cream. Not offered,” my date says, noticing no tea condiments left on the table. I’ve taught them well! Tea was great, good quality for sure.

They offered a Plain Biscuit AND a Scone. After having both at the Claremont, I’m now loving it when a place offers both! Butter was offered for the biscuit and cream + preserves for the scone. That biscuit had the most picture-worthy golden brown toast on it. Crispiest outside and fluffiest insides, a little salty. I called it ‘cloudy!’ Their scone wins for Crunchiest Edges!! Oh and I couldn’t get enough of their preserves. The highest quality I’ve had.

They had so many savories, I was so happy! SIX!! Always bonus points in my book when a tea service has plenty of salty options (than sweet).

Cucumber on Wheat – Thin slices are my favorite. It had a spicy spread that hit you in the back and was a nice surprise.

Egg Salad on White – This was my favorite from the service for sure. It was almost mousse-like and they packed a good amount of it! Thick slices of airy bread made for perfectly portioned bites. And it was seasoned beautifully.

Smoked Salmon on Sourdough – When I see capers, I’m happy!

Pesto, Mozzarella + Tomato – I’m allergic to pesto but my date said this was a good one. I wanted so badly to try it! That mozzarella looked so fresh, it was almost dripping!? I did take a nibble and I was right- excellent.

Prosciutto + Fig Butter on Croissant – Love. I’m a big fig butter fan.

Chicken Salad – I don’t know what sweet/fruity spread they added to this one, but it was delicious! My date’s favorite.

They offered 4 classic sweets. A Chocolate-Covered Strawberry, Chocolate or Lemon Macaron, a Lemon Bar, and (so cute) a nice sized Donut Hole. All were very good, and rounded out the meal gorgeously. And i love chocolate strawberries, don’t you? Anytime they’re served is a yay for me.

The tea was good. But, it was the exclusivity of it and the venue that made you feel so cool to be there. I can’t say enough about the customer service here. Our guy was lovely!! Definitely made for a better experience that he was so kind. I did want to walk around the building for a bit (I saw a stunning library when I went to the bathroom), but by the time we were done some doors were closed. Right before we walked out tho, I did get a peek of what looked like a banquet or event room. SO pretty! I wanna have a party there for no reason!! I’ve already made plans to go back with my sister hehe. I hope you guys make it too! And if you do, please share your experience with us!

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Spot #16 Revisit:

Pardee Home

672 11th Street Oakland, CA 94607

pardeehome.org

Last time we were here was October 2015. All I remember was that we had to wait a while to get in (for the reservation) and that it was something I definitely had to experience again. I didn’t think I’d wait so long, but it was mos def worth the wait! (gosh, how many times do I have to say wait?) Since their banquet room only holds 12 and since I voted this Spot ‘Best Experience’, I made sure to fill my guest list. I’m so happy we had the big group we did, because it made for an even sweeter time!

This would also be the first Tea since my shift (read all about that here), so I might’ve been a little anxious or apprehensive about how I was going to handle the “work” part of this visit. Again, since it was all about the whole experience- I made sure my first priority was to be present. Enjoy my girls and the Tour [of the home].

As it was 8 years ago, the house was exquisite. So many little pieces to look at and details that made you ooh and ahh. And just like last time, I’m not including any of those shots on here cuz I want you to come see it for yourself! In real life! I loved seeing my girl’s faces after every new corner we turned. It made me so happy that they were so happy to be there! For me, just seeing the wallpaper alone was enough!! (okay, I’m covering my mouth now…I won’t say anymore) After the house tour, our dear docent guided us to their adorable banquet room. Ugh (sigh), breathtaking. (not in the Seinfeld way tho k)

The amount of labor, love, attention, and meticulous detail that is put into this tea service is priceless. Let me mention here that from placing the reservation, I was speaking to a live person each time. These volunteers are here because they want to be and have an organic passion for this home. It’s brilliant and I was/we were privileged to be a recipient of their care.

First things first, they come around with the only tea option of their proprietary English Breakfast blend. They should be so proud of themselves cuz I’m not even an english breakfast tea girl like that but MAN, that stuff is soo good!! Of course they won’t say what the blend is, but I was getting some citrus or bergamot and some lavender notes… Either way, keep it coming please!

They start you off with their beautiful Tea Sandwiches. (see, I told you) Flawless presentation. I didn’t take pics of each of the items like I usually do…I was in the moment mmkay. But, I did take notes of my thoughts on each.

Cucumber – I can’t ever have enough green crunchy veggies, so I loved the mountain of cucumbers. And they do theirs with like an herb cream cheese. Different, but welcome.

Smoked Salmon – Light cheese, nice dill sprig, yay capers!

Egg Salad – First I was like ‘ew, this is too green oniony’. Then I was like ‘I think I like this’. Hahah! Yall know I hate green onions. But for some reason, the amount and crunch this one had…made me love it. (covering eyes) I know, I know, who am I??

Chicken Salad – There was something sweet and/or curryish in this one. And so cute that it had a profiterole “bun”! I know there were a lot of girls at the table who enjoyed this tea sandwich a lot!

Cheese Crisp – Didn’t expect it to be cold, but I liked that. It had a little spice (which I liked too) and a good texture to it.

Then they served us fresh, warm Savories!

Artichoke – We were all trying to figure out what was in this one…? Despite saying it was a bit “too pickley” for me, as my friend who sat next to me pointed out- I still ate the whole thing. Haha! It was like olivey or had pimento in it or something. And of course, crunchy phyllo is not something you leave on the table. It’s a lot of work, that phyllo!

Mushroom – This one was thee Crowd-Pleaser. It’s like they made tiny slices of bread and toasted them perfectly, then packed that cup with creamy mushroom filling. It was SO GOOD, I am salivating right now just thinking about it again. For me, all those textures made it so fun to eat. I would have a dozen for dinner.

Next course were the Scones! Cranberry Orange today. Don’t you just love warm fresh scones?! These were soo chewy. Great flavor, THAT CREAM, crispy edges. I think the cream made it. I was trying to be modest…but I woulda licked the serving dish clean if I could.

And now, the Sweets! They did a good job too, of coming around sporadically (Tai: Yeah, I hope not sporadically.) refilling teacups of that delicious English Breakfast! At this point in the tea service however, I only had room for a bite each of these. (of course I finished them when I got home!)

Apricot Bar – nice texture, not too fruity

Lemon Tart – pastry is really good + crumbly, my favorite of the bunch

Maple Pecan – buttery chewy maple flavor, Table Favorite!

Pecan Sandies – perfect, so much powdered sugar I love

Double Chocolate Cookie – good chocolate but not too much

Macadamia Shortbread – bland, which was nice (not competing with other sweets)

So yes, this place lived up to its chosen superlative as Best Experience. This was our biggest party of this Leg of the Tour, so it was nice to have a lot of the girls who had already been on tour with me. We did have 2 Firsties (yayyy!), so it was a pleasure having their first afternoon tea be with us! Again, hosting (from reservations to docent to servers) was immaculate. The Pardee Home Staff took such good care of us and showed us a good time, thank you!! I heard a lot of the girls making plans to come back with their families or other girlfriends, and that made me so happy. Such a fun afternoon touring the home and then enjoying a stunning tea party. I was in the moment, present…with a little bit of work. (exhale)

We’re finishing our 3rd Leg strong! (arm flex emoji) Leave your email with us below, so you’ll be notified of all our last Spots. Thank you to all who have/who will donate. This keeps our Tour going! I’ll be back in a week or so about this next Spot… All Love, Oly.

All Pardee Home related posts:

Spot #16 :: Pardee Home

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