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Community Corner

Great Escape: Tea Time Treasure

Enjoy the enchanting charm of this Campbell tea room.

I’ve had the pleasure of dinning in many of San Jose’s great restaurants, but rarely have I found a treasure living up to its name like that of in Campbell.

Ladies, this is one you don’t want to miss.

As I walked off the busy streets into the corner shop, windows dressed with delicate lace curtains, I felt like I had walked into another world.

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The fragrant aroma from the gift parlor is that of faint lavender and citrus potpourri.

The parlor is filled with delicate and feminine treasures such as hand lotions, soaps, jewelry, lip balms, mints and other sparkly trinkets.

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Framing the walls of the parlor is gorgeous fine china, nestled in with pictures, linens and collectibles.

It’s hard to walk out of the parlor without purchasing even the smallest of unique gifts—mostly as a reminder to yourself to pause and enjoy pretty things every now and then.

The elegant Victorian décor draws your attention to the main tearoom, with small and big tables showered by sunlight filtered through the lace curtains.

Tables are set with fresh white linens, lovely china and simple flowers. The room is quiet and calming.

If you are already a tea lover, you are in for a treat. There are about 20 different teas to choose from including flavors such as Champagne Raspberry, Butter Truffle, Vanilla Floral and the more traditional English breakfast.

If you’re not a tea lover, this menu may just win you over.

My friend and I began with a hot pot of traditional English breakfast tea, which the server pours over a tea strainer filled with fresh tea leaves. I can’t drink mine without cream and sugar and my friend prefers just sugar.

We also nibbled on ginger cookies and lemon curd. They were simply delicious and dangerous because before I knew it, I had gobbled down five of them.

It was the combination of quiet elegance, enchanting décor and time to sit and chat with a friend that put me in such a jovial mood.

I felt closed off from the rest of the world in a joyful little bubble of contentment.

Finally, we realized 45 minutes had passed and we had not yet ordered. So we rang the little silver bell on the table and in came our server.

I chose Mademoiselle’s Creation, which included a salad of mixed greens, berries, and feta cheese, tossed with strawberry vinaigrette, topped with toasted almonds and served with a fresh scone, (I ordered a side of Devonshire cream to go with the scone).

My friend ordered Venetian’s Romance, which included a fresh scone with Devonshire cream and preserves, goat cheese with sun-dried tomato tea sandwich, pesto nut tea sandwich, roasted garlic and cheese puffs and tiramisu for dessert.

We took our time munching the fresh salad, sandwiches and scones; sipping hot tea and chatting about everything under the sun.

The food was tasty, the service was a delight and the experience was lovely.

Which is exactly what Dale Ann Johnson said she hoped her guests would feel.

“I hope it’s just a break from the hustle and bustle of the Silicon Valley,” said Johnson, who has owned the tearoom for 14 years.

“I hope it’s like a haven to escape for a few hours— where you can spend time connecting with the people you love.”

Johnson said she had always loved having tea parties at her home for friends and family.

As she and her husband were approaching the “empty nest” season, she said she wanted to get back to work.

Although Johnson had zero experience in the retail or restaurant business, she just knew it was something she would love to do. And it seems that her passion and risk has translated into a wonderful little gem.

Before we knew it, my friend and I realized we had spent nearly two-and-a-half hours enjoying the charm and warmth of the place.

The only sad part was realizing we had to walk out the door and rejoin the real world.

We left promising each other we’d make a date to get away like this again soon.

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