Clara J's Tearoom

The month of June is rolling by quickly.  Yesterday was the first day of summer and today it's 95 degrees in southeastern, Michigan and feels like 104 degrees.  The Detroit tri-county area is under an extreme heat warning.  Last Wednesday a tornado touched down less than 2 miles from my house which is very unusual.  

Yesterday was a busy day at The Whitney serving tea to 155 guests, and one lovely young lady received a marriage proposal.  The groom-to-be arranged ahead of time to have the beautiful engagement ring [displayed in its case], positioned on the top tier of the serving stand when the server took it to their table.  Both sets of parents quietly slipped in to watch the happy occasion and, of course, the young lady said yes!   All the guests in the Drawing Room gave the couple a heartfelt congratulatory applause.

Thursday I traveled 38 miles south of where I live to pick up my girlfriend, Sandy, to go to Clara J's tearoom in Maumee, Ohio [9 miles south of Toledo].  Our reservations were for 11:00 a.m.  The weather was drizzly, but it didn't dampen our enthusiasm for sharing teatime together.  The last time I was at Clara J's was in 2019 for a Downton Abbey tea with my girlfriend, Lori, so a return visit was long overdue.

The tearoom is named for Clara Jaessing Keller who was a lifelong resident of Maumee and restaurant owner. Sadly she only lived to the age of 59, but in 2005 her niece, Rebecca Jaessing, founded the tearoom in her honor.  In 2018 she sold the tearoom to Gretchen Fayerweather, a chef and culinary instructor who remains the current owner.  The upstairs is a Bed & Breakfast.

Several first floor rooms are devoted to guest seating.  The room we were in appeared to be part of a newer addition to the house.  I liked that aprons were used as a valance window treatment.

The food was beautifully presented and very tasty.   When we arrived only a couple other guests were there, but when we left the tearoom was full.  

We each got to select our own pot of tea, and I chose Lemon Meringue green tea.  

Next came two warm Blueberry Scones neatly wrapped in a napkin to ensure they stayed warm.  A dish of Lemon Curd, Devonshire Cream and Strawberry Jam accompanied the scones.

The three-tiered server was laden with delicious teatime food selections.

The top tier contained three savories:  A Radicchio leaf stuffed with zesty Cilantro Slaw; Watermelon & Feta squares; and a Sundried Tomato Palmier.

The middle tier contained the tea sandwiches:  Clara J's signature Ribbon Sandwich with house-made white & wheat breads layered with Chicken Salad, Red Pepper & Spinach spreads and frosted with seasoned Cream Cheese and garnished with a Pimento stuffed Olive; traditional Cucumber sandwich on white bread with Cream Cheese, Dill & Lemon Zest; and Avocado Toast with a slice of Hard Boiled Egg, Pickled Onion and Radish.

The bottom tier held the desserts:  Their signature Lemon Sugar Cookie Sandwich with Lemon Buttercream; Triple Berry Shortcake [raspberries, strawberries & blueberries] with White Chocolate Mousse on a house made biscuit; and a S'more Bundt Cake made with Lapsang Souchong Tea, Marshmallow Cream and Graham Crackers.  Fresh fruit garnished each plate.

When we finished eating we drove the short distance to the Maumee Antique Mall.  We spent a couple of hours going through the mall, but nothing called our name so we left empty-handed and made our journey back home.

It was a wonderful day spent with a very good life-long friend!