Shelley Taylor
Café Blossom Tea Room and Gifts
Published on Wed, Jan 13, 2010 by Shelley TaylorRead More Taylor
Cafe Blossom Tea Room & Gifts
645 W Washington St Ste 3
683.2522
Hrs M-Sat 11:30 to 5, Fri & Sat 5-8p
(Dinner/$$$$, lunch/$$)
High Tea, specialty desserts, lunches, gift certificates and take out available.
(You may want to call first before venturing out for lunch. Sometimes they open late or close early and can even decide not to open at all.)
We passed by dozens of times perplexed. What exactly is it? Twinkly lights frame the store front located along Washington Avenue in the JC Penney complex. The sign above the door states "Tea Room" and that was enough to keep my man from chancing a visit. Ever since I read that tea is filled with antioxidants (which are supposed to protect the body from free radical damage and aging) I changed my morning beverage. But that didn't mean I was going to rush off to a tea room.
It wasn't until we passed by one day and saw the place packed that our interest was peaked.
It turns out Cafe Blossom is a sweet little eatery. Its decor is... well, adorable, like you wandered into your maiden aunt's parlor. The tables are covered in linen, even for lunch. Delicate lacy curtains frame the windows and artfully displayed silk flowers and twigs give it a fairy tale air. The gift shop consists of tea paraphernalia and kitty cat dolls dressed in finery. The place is cozy like an afghan on a wintry day. The main room seats about 20 and a private room has a table suitable for a large party plus a regal windowside seating for two.
The frilly atmosphere didn't sway me, but it took some prodding to get my hubby to venture into this very very girlie atmosphere. But he was a good sport and willing to explore the feminine side. However, what's good for the goose isn't necessarily good for the gander: portion size isn't hearty man meal size - although it is correct portion size if you're paying attention to what your doctor advises. But modest portions don't mean the food isn't pleasing to the taste buds - it just leaves you wanting for more.
The owner, and sole kitchen entity, Chieko Tomko, comes with a impressive pedigree. Before opening Cafe Blossom, Chieko studied the culinary arts in Tokyo where she owned two restaurants. I understand she plays the violin. And a degree in the visual arts is definitely evident in the presentation. Chieko's training with French chefs there encouraged her love of sauces; something she especially delights in creating for her patrons.
Open for lunch and dinner, I especially like it for lunch. Pure decadence for me is going out to lunch solo and taking along a good magazine. The room is quiet and the service makes me feel like a queen.
Sandwiches come with three halves neatly and precisely cut on the bias. Try the chicken salad with pecans; not too much mayo and the pecans make it something special. Also on the sandwich side of the menu is shrimp mango salsa pocket, salmon salad sandwich, turkey cranberry and smoked turkey croissants as well as an egg salad and garden sandwich. Diet cola with my sandwich is a necessity, so on my wish list for beverages, I sure would like a better brand of diet cola! Sandwiches come with soup or a salad of fresh greens with either raspberry vinaigrette or Caesar dressing. Entree salad varieties include spring roll, honey lemon chicken, and cranberry/walnut/turkey. Quiche du jour is also on the menu. Surprisingly, so is spaghetti with meat sauce.
If you're a soup lover, this is definitely the place. I especially liked the veggie soup in a clear tomato broth brimming with fresh and properly cooked vegetables served just hot enough. (In my book, the temperature of a soup is very important to taste - hot at the back of the throat but not on the tongue.) It was so good, I ordered a second bowl. On another visit the soup was corn and cheddar with a hint of curry. I'm not a curry fan and they were nice enough to give me a taste before I ordered. The curry was subtle enough for me - it didn't overtake the flavor.
My girlfriend was visiting from out of town and I took her to lunch. Next to us were two other girlfriends just finishing up. One just had to order the cookie plate for dessert. Obviously having sampled them before, when the waitress asked if the two were going to share, the diminutive diner's reply was, "No! Let her get her own. These are just for me!" Other sweet tooth delights include caramel brownies and "a chef's creation of the highest caliber", so definitely ask.
They do indeed serve high tea if that's the experience you're looking for. "Tea in the Afternoon" as it is known by aficionados typically features petite sandwiches, like cucumber, and scones with jam. Chieko adds her own twist including special tea cakes. And speaking of tea, her tea selection is a tea lover's dream. Black teas, green teas, herbal teas, decaffeinated teas and several lavender teas from the Olympic Lavender Farm.
On weekends they offer a prix fixe dinner which requires reservations. Friends of ours raved about the scallops and commented on the care taken when choosing ingredients. Breast of chicken in a light sauce was the main course on our visit and it was tender and succulent. Dinner comes with dessert and ours featured refreshing chilled fruit in a subtly sweet sauce. Modest use of sugar, I understand, is typical in Europe and Asia.
Early October's offerings were seafood pasta, chicken with roasted bell peppers and swordfish with salsa. This weekend it's A Taste of Japan featuring rolled sushi and salmon cutlet.
Sign up for their monthly email newsletter if you'd like to know about upcoming dinner menus.
645 W Washington St Ste 3
683.2522
Hrs M-Sat 11:30 to 5, Fri & Sat 5-8p
(Dinner/$$$$, lunch/$$)
High Tea, specialty desserts, lunches, gift certificates and take out available.
(You may want to call first before venturing out for lunch. Sometimes they open late or close early and can even decide not to open at all.)
We passed by dozens of times perplexed. What exactly is it? Twinkly lights frame the store front located along Washington Avenue in the JC Penney complex. The sign above the door states "Tea Room" and that was enough to keep my man from chancing a visit. Ever since I read that tea is filled with antioxidants (which are supposed to protect the body from free radical damage and aging) I changed my morning beverage. But that didn't mean I was going to rush off to a tea room.
It wasn't until we passed by one day and saw the place packed that our interest was peaked.
It turns out Cafe Blossom is a sweet little eatery. Its decor is... well, adorable, like you wandered into your maiden aunt's parlor. The tables are covered in linen, even for lunch. Delicate lacy curtains frame the windows and artfully displayed silk flowers and twigs give it a fairy tale air. The gift shop consists of tea paraphernalia and kitty cat dolls dressed in finery. The place is cozy like an afghan on a wintry day. The main room seats about 20 and a private room has a table suitable for a large party plus a regal windowside seating for two.
The frilly atmosphere didn't sway me, but it took some prodding to get my hubby to venture into this very very girlie atmosphere. But he was a good sport and willing to explore the feminine side. However, what's good for the goose isn't necessarily good for the gander: portion size isn't hearty man meal size - although it is correct portion size if you're paying attention to what your doctor advises. But modest portions don't mean the food isn't pleasing to the taste buds - it just leaves you wanting for more.
The owner, and sole kitchen entity, Chieko Tomko, comes with a impressive pedigree. Before opening Cafe Blossom, Chieko studied the culinary arts in Tokyo where she owned two restaurants. I understand she plays the violin. And a degree in the visual arts is definitely evident in the presentation. Chieko's training with French chefs there encouraged her love of sauces; something she especially delights in creating for her patrons.
Open for lunch and dinner, I especially like it for lunch. Pure decadence for me is going out to lunch solo and taking along a good magazine. The room is quiet and the service makes me feel like a queen.
Sandwiches come with three halves neatly and precisely cut on the bias. Try the chicken salad with pecans; not too much mayo and the pecans make it something special. Also on the sandwich side of the menu is shrimp mango salsa pocket, salmon salad sandwich, turkey cranberry and smoked turkey croissants as well as an egg salad and garden sandwich. Diet cola with my sandwich is a necessity, so on my wish list for beverages, I sure would like a better brand of diet cola! Sandwiches come with soup or a salad of fresh greens with either raspberry vinaigrette or Caesar dressing. Entree salad varieties include spring roll, honey lemon chicken, and cranberry/walnut/turkey. Quiche du jour is also on the menu. Surprisingly, so is spaghetti with meat sauce.
If you're a soup lover, this is definitely the place. I especially liked the veggie soup in a clear tomato broth brimming with fresh and properly cooked vegetables served just hot enough. (In my book, the temperature of a soup is very important to taste - hot at the back of the throat but not on the tongue.) It was so good, I ordered a second bowl. On another visit the soup was corn and cheddar with a hint of curry. I'm not a curry fan and they were nice enough to give me a taste before I ordered. The curry was subtle enough for me - it didn't overtake the flavor.
My girlfriend was visiting from out of town and I took her to lunch. Next to us were two other girlfriends just finishing up. One just had to order the cookie plate for dessert. Obviously having sampled them before, when the waitress asked if the two were going to share, the diminutive diner's reply was, "No! Let her get her own. These are just for me!" Other sweet tooth delights include caramel brownies and "a chef's creation of the highest caliber", so definitely ask.
They do indeed serve high tea if that's the experience you're looking for. "Tea in the Afternoon" as it is known by aficionados typically features petite sandwiches, like cucumber, and scones with jam. Chieko adds her own twist including special tea cakes. And speaking of tea, her tea selection is a tea lover's dream. Black teas, green teas, herbal teas, decaffeinated teas and several lavender teas from the Olympic Lavender Farm.
On weekends they offer a prix fixe dinner which requires reservations. Friends of ours raved about the scallops and commented on the care taken when choosing ingredients. Breast of chicken in a light sauce was the main course on our visit and it was tender and succulent. Dinner comes with dessert and ours featured refreshing chilled fruit in a subtly sweet sauce. Modest use of sugar, I understand, is typical in Europe and Asia.
Early October's offerings were seafood pasta, chicken with roasted bell peppers and swordfish with salsa. This weekend it's A Taste of Japan featuring rolled sushi and salmon cutlet.
Sign up for their monthly email newsletter if you'd like to know about upcoming dinner menus.
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