Wednesday, February 12, 2014

For the Love of Chocolate

Yesterday three friends and I went to O'Mara's Irish Restaurant in Berkley for their February theme tea, "For the Love of Chocolate."   The room was whimsically decorated for Valentine's Day.


Below was our table for four.  I liked the creativity of turning a stemmed glass upside down over a silk red rose, and using the upright base as a candle holder.


The Avalon Tea Room was filled with guests.


~ Our foursome ~

[L-R: Me, Sandy, Lori & Cindy]


My tea of choice was Harney's "Queen Catherine" - a blend of three Chinese black teas, and it was very good.  They also offered a Valentine's blend of rose petals and chocolate, and Paris Decaf made with caramel, vanilla and bergamot.


For the soup course, I chose Creamy Tomato Basil with Cocoa Croutons.


The Savory/Sandwich Course consisted of a Ribbon Sandwich of Sweet Red Peppers and Pesto; Nutella on Cinnamon Raisin Bread; and Crab Salad on a Sun Dried Tomato Bagel.  All three were excellent.


Isn't that ribbon sandwich colorful?


The entree was slices of Poached Chicken with Chocolate BBQ Sauce, garnished with Fried Onion Rings, Diced Tomatoes and Green Onion.


Baked Brie wrapped in Filo Dough and topped with Sauteed Mushrooms was served with Crackers and Fresh Fruit [Strawberries, Cantaloupe, and Pineapple] dipped in Dark Chocolate.



Chef Anita demonstrated Baked Brie with Truffle Oil and Sauteed Mushrooms.


The Dessert Course was Cream Scones with homemade Rose Petal Jam; Clotted Cream stuffed Strawberries; and White Chocolate Mousse.


It was a very enjoyable afternoon.  How are you celebrating Valentine's Day?


7 comments:

  1. Looks like a great afternoon out! Happy Valentine's Day, Phyllis!

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  2. I find the wide variety of tea menus and venues you have the opportunity to participate in to be so very interesting. How special for you and your tea wonderful friends!

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  3. Oh, wow, another wonderful tea! Everything is so pretty, and looks delicious. Chocolate barbecue sauce sounds really interesting. And I love baked Brie. I hope I'll be celebrating Valentine's day by going to work, since snow is keeping me home right now. I am supposed to go out to dinner with friends that night and hope the weather will let us do that. And I was supposed to meet my cousin at a tea room outside Atlanta on Saturday, then go to the exhibit at an Atlanta museum about Rich's department store -but I think we will reschedule that! Stay safe and warm.

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  4. Very fun! I love the Queen Catherine tea...a nice blend. Everything looks wonderful! Thanks for sharing with Tuesday Cuppa Tea!
    Ruth

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  5. The tea looks just wonderful. Yes, the ribbon sandwich is colorful and I noticed it right away. Loved the fruit dipped in chocolate and the baked brie, oh yummmm! Even the teacup your tea was sipped from was quite beautiful.

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  6. The choclate theme tea was so special You and your friends were enjoying the wonderful courses. Everything lookd so beautiful and yummy. The dessert course was especially tempting and all the photos were lovely. Have a happy 14th!

    pam

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  7. Yum! I always get *so* hungry reading about your teas at O'Mara's! I am impressed that they consistently offer new things--love that colorful ribbon sandwich. (As far as how I celebrated Valentines: Since I was without power in an ice storm, Alex and I sat in a heated car and exchanged gifts this year! It was certainly our most memorable Valentines!)

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