3rd Thursday Tea - Exquisite Chocolates, Carlisle, PA

Exquisite Chocolates, billed as purveyors of life's finest pleasures, has started serving 3rd Thursday Teas/luncheons once a month in their shop. Eager to experience this new tea time location, we journeyed to Carlisle (a mere 20 minutes away) for an afternoon tea time getaway. 

The tables, set up in the rear of the chocolate shop, were set in matching china and green napkins since spring has sprung. Today's menu was tucked underneath the place setting. 

Before the tea service began, our hostess greeted the group and presented coupons from the catering company, Tastebuds Personal Chef Services.

The tea list, offering a variety of Rishi Teas, features herbals and teas. Nancy selected an organic Sencha Tea a first and second flush harvest from the organic farms on Kyushu Island in southern Japan. It is a pleasant green tea with a vegetal/ grassy flavor to it. Susanna selected the Peach Hibiscus Green tea described as a luscious red hibiscus and juicy peaches with naturally sweet, roasted Japanese green tea with a slightly fruity sweet flavor. Once we selected our tea flavor, an individual pot of hot water and tea bag were provided.

The first course was an Irish Vegetable Soup. It was a creamy root vegetable soup with potatoes, carrots, leeks, parsnips, and broccoli garnished with freshly snipped chives. It was warm, hearty, thick, and tasty.

Shortly after the soup was served, the two tiered tray was placed on the table. Two types of sandwiches and petite desserts were on the tier.

The bottom tier held two types of sandwiches, and we were able to enjoy two of each sandwich. There was a triangular Rueben Tea Sandwich made with corned beef, swiss cheese and pickled cabbage on marbled rye. The other sandwich was a St. Patty's Day Cucumber Tea Sandwich served on Irish Soda Bread. Kerrygold Chive butter was spread on the soda bread. 

A small scoop of Blood Orange Sorbet was served after the sandwiches. This was smooth, and very refreshing.

And rounding out the tea was an Irish Pea Salad. The salad was served on a fresh Romaine leaf and was made with fresh peas, onion, sweet peppers and mixed with an herbed yogurt dressing.

The top tier of the tray held a Pistachio Macaron and a Pepita topped artisanal chocolate. They provided a sweet treat to end our teatime. Visit their website to learn about upcoming teas and luncheons.

And, who can go to a chocolate shop without picking out some exquisite chocolates to enjoy at home? A small blue box gaily tied with a bow held a  citrus rosemary chocolate, a large peanut butter truffle, and two milk chocolate salted caramels rounded out this little sampler pack to be enjoyed as a midnight snack.

 

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

The tea room was host to our annual St. Patrick's Day tea and guests were all a wearin o' the green. Seasonal tea options included Irish Whiskey Cream, Shamrocks & Shenanigans, Love Shack, or XOXO. Once guests selected their teas, we served our Emerald Island Kiwi and Blueberry Salad topped with Irish Cheddar Cheese and a shamrock 'crouton'.

The sandwich plate included a Wee Cottage Pie, Carrot & Cheddar on Whole Wheat with Pecan Edges, a Benedictine Sandwich (cucumber & onion, topped with parsley), a Petite Potato Bite filled with cheese and corned beef, a Goat Cheese & Tomato Tartlet, and a toasted Reuben topped with a toasty shamrock.

We served a Spotted Dog Irish Soda Bread Scone with sweet cream and homemade lemon curd. A savory slice of Spinach Bread topped with our Rosemary House special French Style Cheese Spread and tomato was also on this sweet and savory plate. Can you see the Irish flag represented in the array of colors with the green tea bread, white herb spread, and red tomato?

The dessert medley this year included a slice of Irish Whiskey Cream Cheese Cake, a Chocolate Guinness cake with a whipped cream frosting, and an Earl Grey Cupcake with a lemon buttercream frosting. Guaranteed to satisfy any sweet tooth!