McCoy’s MeCations: Satori Tea Company in San Jose – A Whimsical, Tantalizing Tea Room

I love surprises. The good kind. The sweet kind.
I ran into one of these such sweet surprises when I discovered Satori Tea Company on a lark on my McCoy’s MeCation in San Jose this past weekend.

Satori Tea Company in downtown San Jose

For those of you who don’t know, I grew up going to afternoon tea with my mom on a regular basis. It was our thing. It was our chance to catch up with one another after school, eat some delicious food and share with her all of my hopes and dreams (with a little gossip mixed in here and there) – all while sipping our cups of tea. My senior year of high school, we went daily whenever we could, because we knew we wouldn’t have that opportunity the following year. So afternoon tea, or high tea, has always held a special place in my heart.

The Royal Tea at Satori Tea Company in San Jose

Finding a good tearoom that measures up to those I remember from my youth, like the long-gone Lady Primrose in Dallas, is no easy quest. Until now. On a lark, I decided to take my Step Up Women’s Network alum mentee, Rosy, to tea, while in San Jose for Oprah’s The Life You Want weekend. We had gone to tea together once before in Beverly Hills, and it was now becoming our tradition, much like it had been for my mom and I.

A royal high tea with Rosy at Satori Tea Company

I walked around downtown San Jose and stumbled upon Satori Tea Company. This place hits all the points I deem crucial when it comes to an exemplary afternoon tea. And, it’s no surprise as owner, Victoria, partook in tea classes as a child and then found herself later studying the art of tea while studying abroad in England as a college student.

  • There is a wide and interesting selection of teas – a wall of them, actually, that you can sample-sniff.

    The wall of tea at Satori Tea Company

  •  They offer a wide and tasty selection of flavorful, authentic, homemade tea sandwiches.
  •  They serve true clotted cream (as well as lemon curd and jam) with their scones

    Clotted cream, lemon curd and jam - topped with pomegranate seeds and berries - for the homemade scones at Satori Tea Company

  •  They add their own twists on the classic tea, like these crumpets topped with their homemade yum – I mean – rum butter.

    Homemade Crumpets topped with their homemade yum butter - er, I mean - RUM BUTTER.

Housed in an unassuming space, its front door faces a parking lot. Nothing magical on the storefront…but then you go inside. Magic. Pure magic.

Poms cascading from the ceiling at Satori Tea Company

Poms hang from the ceiling, beautiful antique furniture abounds (SO beautiful that I kept trying to buy it), and servers are dressed in beautiful, feminine frocks. I felt transported to a Mad Hatter tea party in the middle of downtown San Jose. Not bad for a Friday!

I. Want. These. Chairs. For my office, please?

I recommend ordering the Royal Tea ($45) which includes 3 finger sandwich selections (2 each) on a bed of delicate green salad, warm heritage cream scone served with fresh fruit, clotted cream, lemon curd, & preserves, an assortment of petite tea fancies, twice toasted crumpet topped with sweet rum butter, plentiful pot of tea, and a flute of their signature tea-infused champagne cocktail.
Enjoy the complex flavors of their wide selection of tea sandwiches, their toasted crumpets with homemade rum butter, scones with clotted cream, jam and lemon curd, and petite pastries that are sure to please.

Oh, the deliciousness! Shown here: Cucumber Cream Cheese sandwiches and pastries

As for the sandwiches, these are their delicious offerings:
  • English cucumber & cream cheese
  • Egg salad with green onion & dill
  • Pear, gorgonzola cream, & arugula
  • Apple, cranberry, almond chicken salad
  • Herbed turkey, pesto, & pepper jack
  • Smoked salmon, cream cheese, capers
  • Ham, English cheddar, & fig butter
  • Peanut butter & jelly with sprinkles

I am still dreaming of those oh-so-tasty tea sandwiches (8 varieties, including ) and the Breakfast Club pink tea, which is the comforting taste of cinnamon toast meets bread pudding meets morning porridge. Yes, really. I actually left with a tin of this, I was such a fan!

And, my purchase didn’t stop there! They have a beautiful selection of antique teacups, tea sets and teapots, so I also picked up some delicious Christmas gifts for friends and family.

Best of all, it reminds me of the sweet and tasty tearooms of my youth. Satori Tea Company is a warm, inviting, delicious, whimsical little world that invites you to share tea, swap stories and make memories – like the ones my mom and I have – that will last a lifetime.

If you’re in the Bay Area, I can’t recommend highly enough that you schedule a visit to this tantalizing tea room. You will thank me for the recommendation.

**Stay tuned for some delicious recipes from Victoria of Satori Tea Company, coming soon here on BeautyFrosting!

xoxo,
BF

BF Asks: What’s your favorite tearoom? 

 

 

Magical Monday: The Great & Powerful Oz Tea at The London West Hollywood

If you have kids or just are a kid at heart like me, have I got a summer treat for you!

The London West Hollywood is celebrating the DVD release of The Great & Powerful Oz with an afternoon tea that’s sure to delight and excite even the grumpiest munchkin or most wicked of witches!

Feeling magical and fantastical at The Great & Powerful Oz Tea at The London West Hollywood

Starting just over a week ago and running through every weekend over the next 6 weeks of summer, the tea is served on Saturdays and Sundays from 2pm – 4pm at Gordon Ramsay at The London.

Tabletop fun! At The Great & Powerful Oz Tea at The London West Hollywood

With staff dressed in Glinda-style tiaras and munchkin-style bowler hats, hot air balloon and magic star wand-centerpieces and the film’s soundtrack playing throughout the tea, you’ll feel less like you’re in Los Angeles and more like you’re in Oz for the entire afternoon.
Nerd that I am, I of course, dressed in Oz-theme with a blue and white polka dot dress and red patent leather heels. With all of the magic around me, I truly felt like Dorothy! And with my friend – and fellow blogger, Whitney Lader from hoopLA – there as my date, the afternoon was even more magical and memorable!

Teatime with my friend - and fellow blogger - Whitney Lader of hoopLA at The Great & Powerful Oz Tea at The London West Hollywood

Whitney enjoys Bubbletime at The Great & Powerful Oz tea! I love the little girl at the table behind us looking like she either thinks we might be crazy or that we're good witches! I'm going with the second option, of course!

 

Whitney and I opted to share two pots of tea so we could fully appreciate all of the delicious Oz options. We chose the Emerald City Green Tea with Jasmine Flowers & Pure Peppermint Leaves and the Natural Rosehip with Hibiscus, Chamomile, mediterranean teas.

Selection of Teas

And adults can enjoy Glinda’s bubble champagne to feel a little “extra” magical.

Indulging in Glinda's Bubble Champagne

With courses including Emerald City Miniature Sandwiches and Canapes, Flying Monkey Bites and Evanora and Theodora’s Wickedly Delicious Treats, you’re sure to leave feeling full and treated like the Wizard of Oz!

The tea tray at The Great & Powerful Oz Tea at The London West Hollywood

My favorite Oz bites?  The mini peanut butter, banana and honey sandwich straight from Kansas and the Roast Beef with onion marmalade finger sandwiches.

Fantastical Finger Sandwiches

The scones were utterly decadent…

 

Sinfully delicious scones with jam, cream and butter

and the Ruby Red Apple Crumble was scrumptious!

Wickedly delicious desserts: Opera cake, apple crumble and lemon meringue bars!

Make your reservation now for a day your whole family is sure to remember for a lifetime!

 The Great & Powerful Oz Tea Menu

$28 for adults

$14 for children

Selection of Teas

Natural Rosehip with Hibiscus, Chamomile, mediterranean

Mandarin, Brilliant Breakfast, Single Estate Oolong, Earl Grey ,

Emerald City Green Tea with Jasmine Flowers & Pure Peppermint Leaves

or

Wicked Witch Brew

100% Juice

 

 Emerald City Miniature Sandwiches & Canapes

Mini Tuna Fish Sandwiches

Mini Turkey Sandwiches

Mini Peanut Butter, Banana & Honey Sandwiches Straight from Kansas

Hummus with Crisp Shallot

Curried Chicken-Golden Raisins

Roast Beef-Red Onion Marmalade

 

 Flying Monkey Bites

Blackcurrant Scones with Devonshire Cream & Lemon Curd

Peanut Butter Scones with Strawberry jam

 

 Evanora & Theodora’s Wickedly Delicious Treats

The Dark Forest Chocolate Opera  Cake

Ruby Red Apple Crumble

Yellow Brick Road Lemon Meringue Bar

 

Sides for Munchkins

Sliced Carrots & Celery with Hummus

Fresh Fruit Cups

*Glinda’s Bubble Champagne Available Upon Request (Not for Munchkins!)

 

xoxo,
BF

 

BF Asks: Are you a fan of teatime like I am? 

BeautyFrosting’s Ginger Tea Punch

This is the perfect non-alcoholic party punch and I’m always asked for the recipe!

Every. Single. Time.

BeautyFrosting's Ginger Tea Punch

If you want a punch that’s perfect for all ages, women AND men and isn’t overly-candy-sweet, this is your go-to punch. I love the stuff! And I always end up giving the recipe to my guests.

Here’s the tasty tea punch recipe that will be one of your favorites too!
BeautyFrosting’s GINGER TEA PUNCH 
Makes 1 gallon. I usually double for my 2 gallon punchbowl.

3 Tbl. Instant Tea (the “powdered” kind, plain, no sugar, no lemon)
1 ½ cups Granulated Sugar
6 cups warm Water
2 cups diluted Orange Juice
6 ounce can frozen Limeade, defrosted and undiluted
2 liters Ginger Ale (or enough to make 1 gallon)

Combine the instant tea, sugar and water. Stir well to ensure the sugar
is dissolved. Add the orange juice and Limeade. Refrigerate until ready
to serve.

Just before serving, add enough Ginger Ale to make 1 gallon of liquid.

Garnish with orange slices and mint sprigs. Depending on “theme”, I have also garnished with limes and lemons.

Beautiful for a wedding shower, baby shower, ladies lunch, brunch, party or holiday!

As always, if you try it, please take pics and tell me how it worked for you!

xoxo,
BF 

Thirsty Thursday: BeautyFrosting’s Ginger Tea Punch

In honor of the bridal tea I’m co-hosting for my best friend, Suzanne, this weekend in Dallas. This is the perfect non-alcoholic party punch and I’m always asked for the recipe! Every. Single. Time.

BeautyFrosting’s Ginger Tea Punch

If you want a punch that’s perfect for all ages, women AND men and isn’t overly-candy-sweet, this is your go-to punch. I love the stuff! And I always end up giving the recipe to my guests.

Here’s the tasty tea punch recipe that will be one of your favorites too!
BeautyFrosting’s GINGER TEA PUNCH 
Makes 1 gallon. I usually double for my 2 gallon punchbowl.

3 Tbl. Instant Tea (the “powdered” kind, plain, no sugar, no lemon)
1 ½ cups Granulated Sugar
6 cups warm Water
2 cups diluted Orange Juice
6 ounce can frozen Limeade, defrosted and undiluted
2 liters Ginger Ale (or enough to make 1 gallon)

Combine the instant tea, sugar and water. Stir well to ensure the sugar
is dissolved. Add the orange juice and Limeade. Refrigerate until ready
to serve.

Just before serving, add enough Ginger Ale to make 1 gallon of liquid.

Garnish with orange slices and mint sprigs. Depending on “theme”, I have also garnished with limes and lemons.

Garnish with orange slices – BeautyFrosting’s Ginger Tea Punch

Beautiful for a wedding shower, baby shower, ladies lunch, brunch, party or holiday!

As always, if you try it, please take pics and tell me how it worked for you!

xoxo,
BF 


Thirsty Thursday: No-need-for-sugar KISS Tea

Like many of you, I have a sweet tooth.
Also, like many of you, I have to make an effort to eat and drink healthfully.

Not always fun, I know. Believe me!

If I don’t watch it, I turn from my regular Gizmo self into one of those naughty little gremlins like Stripe – albeit – a little chubbier. Yuck! No one wants to see that!

That’s why I loooove this tea! This beverage is delicious, sweet and calorie-free.

A great way to get your H2O in if you’re not a water fan (I’m talking to you, Mom).

So here’s my recipe for KISS Tea.

Keep It Sunny & Sweet!

Summer KISS Tea

1) Get your sun tea jar out. Don’t have one, get one HERE!

2) Fill the jar with filtered water.

3) Add one Lipton Cold Brew Tea bag

Lipton Cold Brew Tea

4) And 3 Aveda Comforting Tea bags. Get them HERE! If you have another spearmint tea you like, you may substitute it, as well. This one just tastes like sugar when it hits the sides of your tongue and is naturally sweeeeet! I started drinking it when I was 18 and I swear it’s magic!! If you’re limiting sugar, this is such a discovery of a new treat for you!

5) Brew outside for a few hours or let sit overnight in the fridge. Enjoy!

I love to fill my recyclable water bottles with this delicious beverage and take it to the office – or pilates – with me!

 

xoxo,

BF

BF Asks: If you try this yourself, PLEASE let me know what you think below! 

In-My-Tub-Tuesday: Mother’s Day Edition

It’s the Tuesday before Mother’s Day and do you know where your Mother’s Day gifts are?
I mean, those lovely, luxurious gifts that you just KNOW Mom would love?
Well, BF is here to help!
Here are some of my favorite In-My-Tub-Tuesday products I have featured thus far.

Any of these would be a perfectly pretty gift for the pretty lady in your life!
Or combine a few of them to make a gorgeous gift basket for her special day!

Grab a basket ($15 or less) at Marshall’s or TJ Maxx, throw in some tissue paper or straw and tie it all up with a beautiful pastel organza bow!

Here are BF’s Mother’s Day Gift Suggestions, In-Home-Spa-Style:

Give her a little GlamGlow for gorgeous skin! Plus, the mud mask makes her feel like she’s at a spa. Draw her a bath, pour her a glass of her favorite wine (or steep a cup of her favorite tea), grab her favorite book and set her up her own personal in-home spa night! Perfect for those moms with little ones running around. Let her relax and unwind in the bath while you pop in a dvd for the little darlings!

In My Tub Tuesday

GlamGlow: Perfect for an in-home Spa night!

Darphin Cleansing Milky Emulsion: Dazzle her with a little Darphin skincare. This Darphin wash is another great way to make her feel pampered without leaving the tub!

Doesn’t your mom deserve a fragrant, relaxing bubble bath? Don’t you? Well gift her, and yourself, with Kai‘s luxurious bathing bubbles. With its moisturizing argan oil and sugar derivatives and its gorgeous gardenia scent, Mom’s troubles will melt away…

In-My-Tub-Tuesday: Kai Bathing Bubbles

Mom will love this anti-aging Prep & Polish exfoliant from Freeze 24/7! She can give herself a facial without even leaving the house!

Freeze 24/7 Anti-Aging Prep and Polish

In-My-Tub-Tuesday: Freeze 24/7 Anti-Aging Prep and Polish

And you can’t go wrong with a classic! Avon Skin-So-Soft will make Mom remember when you were but a wee one. A classic scent that’s engraved on the memory is sure to take her on a relaxing stroll down Memory Lane.

Avon Skin So Soft

Avon Skin So Soft

What could be better than making the woman you love most feel relaxed, cherished and as beautiful as possible?

Any (or all) of these gifts will bring a smile to Mom’s beautiful face. Just be sure to write a sweet card to her as well. What to say? Check out tomorrow’s post for that BF advice!

xoxo,
BF

BF Asks: My favorite Mother’s Day gift I ever gave or received was __________. 

 

Thirsty Thursday: BeautyFrosting’s Ginger Tea Punch

BeautyFrosting's Ginger Tea Punch

If you want a punch that’s perfect for all ages, women AND men and isn’t overly-candy-sweet, this is your go-to punch. I love the stuff! And I always end up giving the recipe to my guests.
I made this last batch last weekend at my good neighbor-friends’ “Reveal the Baby Sex” party. It was a hit! And the party was a ball! But more of that on Saturday Social Hour!

Here’s the tasty tea punch recipe that will be one of your favorites too!
BeautyFrosting’s GINGER TEA PUNCH 
Makes 1 gallon. I usually double for my 2 gallon punchbowl.

3 Tbl. Instant Tea (the “powdered” kind, plain, no sugar, no lemon)
1 ½ cups Granulated Sugar
6 cups warm Water
2 cups diluted Orange Juice
6 ounce can frozen Limeade, defrosted and undiluted
2 liters Ginger Ale (or enough to make 1 gallon)

Combine the instant tea, sugar and water. Stir well to ensure the sugar
is dissolved. Add the orange juice and Limeade. Refrigerate until ready
to serve.

Just before serving, add enough Ginger Ale to make 1 gallon of liquid.

Garnish with orange slices and mint sprigs. Depending on “theme”, I have also garnished with limes and lemons.

Garnish with orange slices - BeautyFrosting's Ginger Tea Punch

Beautiful for a wedding shower, baby shower, ladies lunch, brunch, party or holiday!

As always, if you try it, please take pics and tell me how it worked for you!

xoxo,
BF 

 

Thirsty Thursday: The Mothership’s Spiced Tea (Neiman Marcus Spiced Tea) Recipe

Neiman Marcus Spiced Tea

Growing up, Neiman Marcus was my 2nd home. I even call it “The Mothership” to this day, hence the name of the recipe. My mother and I would often lunch at The Mermaid Bar at Neiman Marcus Northpark and split the Mermaid Sampler.

I have so many lovely memories of open-hearted conversations taking place over their signature spiced tea. And later, when I worked at Neiman Marcus at the Trish McEvoy counter in college, I had one every day!

Sure, the recipe might not be a secret.

But it will always be this magical Texan tea cocktail to me.
And nothing goes better with my Texan tuna salad (it’s all about the pecans, beauties!)!!

To this day, I have to have a spiced tea whenever I am shopping at Neiman’s.

Here’s the recipe, as I understand it, for us all to enjoy while conversing with loved ones:

Neiman Marcus Spiced Tea

6 1/2 c. Water

3 sticks Cinnamon

1/4 tsp. Nutmeg

3 Cloves (whole)

4 English Breakfast Tea Bags

1/4 c. Tang (powdered orange drink mix)

1/4 tsp. Almond Extract

Place the cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg in a large saucepan, filled with the 6 1/2 c. water.

Bring mixture to boil, then reduce to low heat and let simmer for 5 minutes.

Remove the pan from the stove and add teabags.

Steep teabags for 3-5 minutes.

Strain the mixture into a clean saucepan and stir in Almond Extract and Tang.

Cool to room temperature and then place in fridge.

When serving, be like Neiman’s and garnish the glass with an orange slice.

Or pull a BeautyFrosting and add a sprig of mint to that orange slice.

Mmmmm….Refreeeeeeshing!