On a late-winter afternoon, a visit to the FairyTea Room set the perfect stage for a cozy escape as flurries collected in the corners of the windows of the freshly painted facade on Market Street in Warren. As I stepped inside, the warmth enveloped me like a comforting embrace, immediately lifting my spirits.
I was kindly greeted by co-owners Sara-Beth Warner and Korto Tawse-Butha, life-long besties who combined their creative spirit and a little bit of pixie dust to create a magical new tearoom in the East Bay. The space is gorgeously decorated with calming pops of green, and a playful assortment of gold-trimmed tea cups and saucers adorned the tables, all shimmering beneath a dense canopy of twinkling string-lights.
I took a seat in a comfy green velvet dining chair and browsed the expansive list of offerings – a tea connoisseur’s dream. There were dozens of varieties, categorized by black, green, white, oolong, herbal, and specialty. I personally am a sucker for mint, so I went with the Organic Peppermint, an Egyptian herbal blend that was as sweet as it was minty. I also tried the Organic White Peony at the recommendation of Sara-Beth; it was a soothing Chinese white tea with notes of honeysuckle.
Light bites and dainty desserts are all part of the traditional tea service experience, which features a balanced assortment of snacks. Guests have their choice of three finger sandwiches, along with two mini scones and three petite pastries, chef’s choice. I chose the Cucumber Sandwich with compound herb butter, the Deviled Egg Salad, and the Portabella with Horseradish. The spread was presented on a pretty three-tiered serving tray, with the sandwiches on the bottom – each was tasty and savory without being too heavy, and the best part for tea service newbies: they’re presented sans crust.
Working my way up, the middle tier featured the scones, one vanilla and the other seasoned with herbes de Provence, accompanied by a decadent whipped butter and dainty dish of strawberry jam for spreading. The top tier of desserts were exactly that – top tier. Tiny but flavorful, these desserts shined with their quality ingredients and artful presentation. The Mini Passionfruit Mousse, served in a small saucer, was bursting with fruity flavor. The star was the house-made cupcake with a vanilla base and raspberry center, topped with a rich and beautiful purple frosting, and garnished with an edible flower. Lastly, the Raspberry Macaron rounded out the tangy thread that united all three desserts.
As I finished my tea and bites, the afternoon sun dipped low, casting a soft glow through the snow-kissed windows. The FairyTea Room isn’t just a place to sip – it’s an invitation to step into a charming childhood dream come true, which my five-year-old self may have imagined all my meals in my 30s might be like. Luckily, there is also a La Petite Tea for guests under 12, so this princess-inspired dream can become a reality for young patrons.
69 Market Street, Warren
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