Press Release

THE TEA TREND HEATS UP IN THE PHILADELPHIA REGION
Specialty Tea Houses, Spa Treatments And Afternoon Teas Keep Visitors Warm This Winter

PHILADELPHIA, January 25, 2006 - With winter in full gear, Americans are increasingly turning to tea to warm their bodies and soothe their souls. Philadelphia and Its Countryside™ is keeping up with the trend – offering many modern and traditional tea options for those looking to relax and stay warm. Here’s a look:

Steap Tea

Photo by K. Ciappa for GPTMC

Tea Houses:

• A Taste of Britain, a charming tea room in the heart of Devon, offers a wide selection of loose-leaf teas served in fine bone china, accompanied by cold-weather British foods like chicken pot pies, salads, scones, soups and hearty vegetarian and meat pasties. 40 Berkley Road, Devon, (610) 971-0390, www.easyelegance.net
• The recently expanded Bubble House is the spot that started Philadelphia’s modern tea-drinking revolution. Open since 2001, this University City restaurant is the trendiest Philadelphia venue to serve Bubble Tea, a cold drink served hot or cold that combines tea, fruit flavoring and tapioca balls. 3404 Sansom Street, (215) 243-0804, www.thebubblehouse.com
• In November 2005, the owners of Premium Steap closed their suburban location to reopen in a more accessible Center City space. Designed to be more of a tea boutique than a sit-down tea house, Premium Steap offers the finest, full-leaf, premium teas and tisanes from around the world. More than 100 varieties of tea are available from the take-out tea bar. The shop also offers products that allow tea drinkers to enjoy the perfect cup at home or work. 111 S. 18th Street, (215) 568-2920, www.wayneteasalon.com
• Ray’s Cafe & Teahouse, located in the heart of Chinatown, serves teas from Taiwan in a casual atmosphere. Diners can sip tea while munching on Taiwanese entrees and pastries in an authentic setting. 141 N. 9th Street, (215) 922-5122, www.rayscafe.com
• The slogan of newly opened Remedy Tea Bar is “serving the hot and the cool,” which provides a glimpse into the type of crowd this tea bar aims to attract. Tea drinkers can order rare teas, tea lattes blended with caramel or cool off on hot days with a non-alcoholic “Mar-tea-ni” cocktail, a Cosmopolitan-like creation made with passion berry iced tea, cranberry juice and lime juice. 1628 Sansom Street, (215) 557-6688, www.remedytea.com
• Serenitea is a casual and homey tea room situated in the back of a new retail tea shop of the same name. The proprietor personally serves tea, scones and light bites and even does Tarot card readings. 10 S. Main Street, Phoenixville, (610) 933-8884

Afternoon Tea:

• The Italian Market’s Dessert offers more than just desserts these days. Now, tea lovers can enjoy a traditional afternoon tea that includes four finger savories, two fresh-baked scones served with housemade clotted cream and lemon curd and a selection of mini-sweet treats. An extensive selection of loose-leaf teas is also part of the $16 offering. Thursday-Saturday, 3:00-6:00 p.m. 806 S. 6th Street, (215) 923-9733
• The Four Seasons Hotel’s Swann Lounge is the place to go for a relaxed afternoon tea after a day of exploring the many museums on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Tea sippers can choose between “Social Tea” and “Royal Tea,” both of which include tea, scones, finger sandwiches, desserts and fruit tartlets. The “Royal Tea” includes the addition of an alcoholic beverage like sparkling wine. Monday-Saturday, 3:00-4:30 p.m.; reservations recommended. 1 Logan Square, (215) 963-1500, www.fourseasons.com/philadelphia
• For a traditionally elegant high tea experience, visitors should head to The Rittenhouse Hotel’s Mary Cassatt Tea Room and Garden, serving afternoon British tea and cocktails daily. A floral garden provides a scenic vista and warm weather seating just beyond the tea room’s French doors. Daily, 2:00-5:00 p.m. 210 W. Rittenhouse Square, (215) 546-9000, www.rittenhousehotel.com
• A lovely afternoon awaits at The Ritz-Carlton, where guests can sample an array of light British fare, including tea, sandwiches, pastries and champagne, in the grand, neo-classical Rotunda lounge. Saturday-Sunday, 1:00-2:30 p.m. 10 Avenue of the Arts, (215) 523-8000, www.ritzcarlton.com
• Tea drinkers looking to enjoy a warming drink in an ornate and feminine Victorian tea house should look no further than Tea With an Accent, offering afternoon tea five days a week. A harpist occasionally plays music as patrons enjoy their tea served on fine china and silver cutlery, surrounded by crisp table linen, fresh flowers and candles. Saturday-Sunday, 12:00 noon and 3:00 p.m.; Wednesday-Friday, 11:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m. 90 W. Afton Avenue, Yardley, (215) 321-9866, www.teawithanaccent.com

Tea Spa Treatments:

• Spa mavens have discovered the use of herbal tea infusions in their facials, which is believed to assist with detoxifying and de-aging the cells. The Adagio Day Spa & Tea Room has created this “tea facial” as its signature treatment. A cup of herbal tea to drink is also included with all services. 931 Huntingdon Pike, Huntingdon Valley, (215) 379-4311, www.wellness-at-work.com
• Spa-goers can relax over lunch and a steaming cup of flavored tea while waiting for a massage or any other spa treatment at Antoinette Day Spa and Salon, a full service spa attached to a Victorian tea room that’s decorated with a tea cup chandelier. 85 Darby Road, Paoli, (610) 647-6618, www.premierspacollection.com

The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) builds the region’s economy and image through destination marketing to increase the number of visitors, the number of nights they stay and the number of things they do in the five-county region. For more information about travel to Philadelphia, visit www.gophila.com or call the Independence Visitor Center, located in Independence National Historical Park, at (800) 537-7676.

Note to Editors: For photos of Greater Philadelphia, visit our Photo Gallery.

CONTACT:

Donna Schorr, GPTMC
(215) 599-0782, donna@gptmc.com

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