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| Madeleine Kildal Schilliger was enjoying tea at La Tea Da in Tillamook last month with her aunt, Ida Tschopp Schilliger, and other relatives. OCT photo. Below, colorful flags mark The Tea Party in Newport. Contributed photo. |
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The coast has tea for the taking
[One of two features on tea on the coast published in February 2007. Read the other, on Depoe Bay's Tilting Teapot, and the joys of loose-leaf teas, here.]
By Niki Price
Oregon Coast Today
When we first stepped into La Tea Da Tea Room, in late December, Tillamook was emerging from a rough month. Between the flood, the windstorm and the power outage, many businesses were still in disarray. Even the sign announcing the tea room’s presence on Main Street had been bent and broken by the wind.
But inside La Tea Da, everything was perfect. From the embroidery on the server’s crisp white apron to the tiny flowers on the sorbet cup, it was a picture of order and beauty. Each scone exquisitely formed, each pot with a floral cozy, each spiral of candied orange rind curled just right. Pish posh, the silver spoon seemed to say. We shan’t be letting a windstorm keep us from enjoying our tea.
Heavens, no. This time-honored British tradition, a mid-day meal of small bites accompanied by a hot cup of tea, can be simple or elaborate. But it always represents a moment of rest, a stopping of the day’s pace, a few minutes of peace.
These central coast tea rooms encourage more than just a brief respite, however. With sorbet, scones, savories, sweets and sugar by the lump, these restaurants encourage you to abandon the schedule altogether. Both La Tea Da, in Tillamook, and The Tea Party, in Newport, serve the whole experience, from tiered plates to fancy hats and gloves, free for the borrowing.
The sign will be back up at La Tea Da before you know it. Fortified by a delicious afternoon tea, the workers will have it up, spit spot.
La Tea Da
Terry Mizée has always loved to cook, while her friend and business partner, Suzanne Petty, is known for her decorator’s eye. And, of course, they both love to sit down to a well-appointed tea.
“We thought we could combine our talents and do something for Tillamook that was special and different, ” Mizée said.
Six years ago, with help from their husbands, both Tillamook dairy farmers, they completely remodeled a former appliance store and laundromat, creating a lacy, pleasant space now called La Tea Da. Terry still makes nearly all the food served at there, with an emphasis on real dairy products.
“People always comment on how good the food tastes here, which we credit to our excellent dairy products,” the baker said. “It’s definitely not a place for a diet. We have some regulars who go on diets, so we see them once a month vs. once a week like we used to. But we always get them back.”
Customers rave about the reuben sandwich and distinctive egg salad, as well as the fruit and cheese scones. On the dessert tier, they love the creme de menthe brownie, the mocha truffle cheesecake and the pumpkin cream roll, among others.
High tea at La Tea Da, a prix fixe treat including sorbet, followed by a steaming pot of tea, a pot of tea and a three-tier tray of delights, is $18.95 per person. La Tea Da also offers the smaller Governor’s Tea, for $14.95, as well as packages for just scones and tea, or a soup and sandwich luncheon tea.
The well-mannered younger set adores the Scamp’s Tea, a serving of bite-sized sandwiches and treats designed for children 10 and under. It comes with sorbet, sweets and tea in a whimsical pot, for $6.95.
“The whole idea is to give a little bit of comfort. We have unhappy people come in the door, and when they leave, they’re totally different. You can change a person’s attitude,” Mizée said.
After a winter vacation, the La Tea Da Tea Room and Gift Shoppe, 904 Main Ave., will reopen Feb. 6. Through May, hours are 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, with tea served from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For reservations or more information, call 503-842-5447 or head to www.lateada-tearoom.com.
The Tea Party
Nestled in Newport’s historic oceanfront Nye Beach neighborhood, The Tea Party is housed in a former vaudeville theatre with a charming Tudor façade. Although it was renovated in 1998, the building’s interior contains original floors, wainscoting and doors, and a massive front door made from old timbers from a bridge that once crossed the Great Salt Lake.
The tea room, filled with tables topped with crisp linen and tended by servers in British style, is warmed with an imported Victorian style fireplace.
In the kitchen, four generations of Claire McNeeley’s family create scones, savories and sweet desserts on a four-oven AGA, a traditional British-style cooker. Classic tea, a three tier afternoon sampler, starts at $12.95 per person; service is also available with more savories ($14.50), or with just desserts ($7.50). Special teas are offered for holidays, with Valentine’s Day just around the corner.
The Tea Party has an “Alice in Wonderland” ambience, especially when children take part in the Mad Hatter Tea. Designed for those 12 and under, the plate comes with sorbet, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, fruit, dessert and beverage of their choice. Hats and other acoutrements are hanging on the dress up rack.
The Tea Party, 716 NW Beach Drive, at the Nye Beach Turnaround in Newport, opens at 11 a.m. Thursday through Monday, noon on Sunday. For reservations or other information, call 541-574-0545, 877-TParty7, or log on to www.theteapartycompany.com.
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