It’s Tea Time In Kailua For Sipping Fans
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Del.icio.usFrom the pink tablecloths to the lace and the rose-decorated china - A Cup of Tea is a picture-perfect place to spend an afternoon catching up with friends or enjoying a special mother-daughter outing.
It’s like walking into an enchanted doll house where everything is pretty and pleasant - including owner Darlene Pahed. A true people person, it’s no wonder that Pahed also earned the title of Christmas Lady of Kailua for her incredible displays at her house and her holiday hospitality.
“During the holidays we entertain ferociously, so I decided to bring it into an atmosphere like this,” said Pahed, a member of the U.S. Tea Association. “It’s really nice, and I just enjoy entertaining and meeting people.”
Since opening in mid-July, Pahed said she’s been blessed with positive responses, which she credits to her friendly and experienced staff, including Chef Jocelyn Pacheco who has been “amazing everyone with her homemade soups and scones.”
Also called the Victorian Tea Room and Boutique, A Cup of Tea serves freshly steeped tea from around the world, along with three different menu options named after Pahed’s daughters: Lady Tiffany’s Tea ($29.95), Princess Heather’s Tea ($24.95) and Nikki’s Afternoon Tea ($19.95). There also is a keiki option, The Wee Tea ($13.95) for the under-10 sippers. (Pahed jokes that she has 10 grandchildren and wasn’t about to have 10 different menu options for kids!)
The most popular selection so far is Lady Tiffany’s Tea, which includes soup and salad, assorted tea sandwiches, fresh baked scone with preserves and lemon curd, seasonal fresh fruit, dessert and a pot of tea.
The soups, sandwiches and scones change daily and include selections such as chicken curry sandwich, cucumber cream-cheese sandwich, zucchini herbal soup, cream of asparagus soup and cinnamon scones. Pacheco also has perfected a cilantro house salad dressing that’s already receiving a lot of attention.
The tasty selections are of course, accompanied by a choice of teas that range from sophisticated to fun - including a children’s favorite, Bubble Gum Tea.
“When they come the guests choose their tea, and then what we do is we take them to their table, then we steep their teas,” explained Pahed, who is a certified tea pourer. “We have a special air filtration system that we use for the water, so the teas taste better. It usually takes about 3 to 7 minutes depending on what tea they choose.
“Personally I prefer steeped tea because you can taste the tea bag and I don’t like the taste of paper tea bag. And I think there’s something special about giving your guests freshly steeped tea. It’s just my thing.”
To conclude the tea house experience, guests can enjoy Pink Rose Champagne Sorbet.
The tea shop seats 40 in the main room and 16 in the private room. Reservations are suggested. A Cup of Tea is located at 407 Uluniu St., Suite 101 (Kailua Medical Building) and is open from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.
For more information, visit www.acupoftea.biz or call 230-8832.
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