Copyright Hartford Courant
With the popularity of shows “Downton Abbey” and “The Gilded Age” the idea of a proper tea has become mainstream with a wider audience. Tracy Tenpenny has always known the pleasure and relaxation of savoring a cup of tea. “I always wanted a tea room. Tea was a huge part of our family time growing up,” said Tenpenny, owner of Tea with Tracy, admitting, “I had tea in my baby bottle. “We would come home from school and my mom would have the kettle on and a treat to have as soon as we walked in the door,” she said. ”And even now, when any of my sisters and mom walk into each others’ house, we put the kettle on.” Opened in 2011, Tea with Tracy is located at 16 Bank Street in Seymour. “I love being part of the historic district. It has little shops so you can spend time and make an afternoon in town,” said Tenpenny whose warm and inviting tea room combines Tenpenny’s love of tea and baking. “I love serving people and making them feel at home. We’re unique because of our bygone touches – the linens, cloth napkins, china cups and plates, and our Afternoon Tea is served on a three-tier plate stand. Plus, we offer food choices that aren’t found in most restaurants,” she said. Along with enjoying a full tea experience, guests can indulge in homemade scones and many other desserts. “It’s a place to come, sit, and talk over a cup of tea,” Tenpenny said. The tea room, which started out offering only 10 teas, now features about 180 different kinds of tea that range from green, organic, and decaffeinated, to herbal, exotic, and even teas named after famous authors, such as Jane Austen’s Black Tea featuring black tea, spearmint, lavender flowers, and vanilla flavoring; Emily Dickinson’s Jasmine featuring rose petals, jasmine blossoms, marigold and cornflower petals. Also, James Joyce’s Black Tea featuring black teas from India, Sri Lanka, and Kenya; and Beatrix Potter’s Herbal Tea featuring Organic Rooibos, rosehips, chamomile, spearmint and lemongrass; among others. Currently, Tenpenny noted almond macaroon is the most popular flavor and her most unique is Annatoria, a black tea with French vanilla, lavender, and honey. “It’s named after my daughters, Annalee and Victoria,” she said. “Our most interesting and exotic is Making Memories. It’s a blend of white tea, almond, vanilla, roses. My dad named that one.” For non tea drinkers, the tea room also serves cocoa, espresso, latte, cappuccino, and lemonade. To accompany the tea, the tea room serves an array of accompaniments, all made fresh on-site daily by Tenpenny and her team. Tenpenny attended Grasso Tech school in Groton and learned to bake and cook under the supervision of three chefs, all graduates of the Culinary Institute of America, she said. “I knew that one day I wanted to have a tearoom to continue my love of baking,” she said, who now serves delightful homemade treats, including Lamingtons, an Australian dessert made of white sponge cake dipped in chocolate ganache and rolled in shredded coconut; Swedish brownies, an almond-based white brownie; apple torte; banana bread; carrot cake; scones; and cookies of the day. In addition, the menu comprises soup, sandwiches, salads, and gourmet grilled cheese along with soup and sandwich and soup and salad specials. The sandwiches, made without crust, include chicken salad, egg salad, tuna, turkey and mozzarella with a pesto aoli, ham and Gouda, cranberry and brie, cucumber mint, and a cucumber and hummus. Afternoon Tea includes a choice of a scone with Devonshire cream or lemon curd, a tea sandwich, a dessert, and a two cup pot of tea. Breakfast is served on Saturday and Sunday. “I like to add food specials and events to bring people in to relax and enjoy what I’ve created,” she said. Also, the tea room sells tea-related merchandise such as teapots, tea cups, hundreds of flavors of loose tea, and honey. “We have almost any and everything needed to enjoy a relaxing cup of tea at home,” said Tenpenny. Also, she sells teapot jewelry, cookbooks, signs, and more. You can find more items on her online shop at: teawithtracyct.com. Next door is the AnnaToria Room, a space for a wide range of events, such as Afternoon Tea, bridal and baby showers, private parties, holiday events, and more. The tea room also hosts hands-on events. A customer from Woodbridge said she visits monthly and sometimes weekly. “Tracy will recommend a seasonal or new tea for me. My husband enjoys the coffee. Our usual sweet items are pecan pie, scone, banana bread with walnuts, and one of the daily specials right out of the oven and still warm,” she said. “It’s a warm, cozy tea shop where we’ve had many gatherings over the last 15 years. When we have out-of-state family and friends visiting, this is the go-to place for a relaxing cup of tea along with yummy sweets. We had our daughter’s bridal shower and a few years later, her baby shower there. Tracy puts her talents to work to create an outstanding venue. She’s flexible, caring, and creative with ideas to make your event special.” The customer, who did not give her name, said she also appreciates the gift ideas, the huge selection of teas and tea-related items. “We even bought large volume corporate gifts for our employees over the years,” she said, adding, “It’s a true find in downtown Seymour where you can step back to a simpler time, catch up with friends over a cup of tea or a breakfast date with a relaxing atmosphere.” Despite the popularity of coffee, Tenpenny has seen a renewed interest in tea drinking. “More people are looking for ways to take moments for themselves and are appreciating that you sip tea and can sit and relax with a cuppa. Plus, tea is also easier on the stomach,” she said, noting she strives to make her café and tea drinking a special experience. “It feels like you’re home, not in a restaurant. Also in many tearooms, afternoon tea is served where you don’t get to choose what you want. In my tea room, you can pick your scone flavor, your sandwich, and your dessert. You get to customize your afternoon tea to your liking.” A hands-on owner, Tenpenny also keeps busy at the tea room. “I do everything, from baking and serving to product ordering and running payroll,” said Tenpenny who takes pleasure in all aspects of the business. “There’s nothing better than when multiple generations of families come and bring their children. I want them to enjoy their time here and want to visit again. I want my customers to feel welcome and relaxed –the quality of the food and the experience means the most to me.”
