Andrew Wiertella, TeaHaus’ only full-time employee, explained how even before the expansion, McDonald offered food to customers whenever she could. “We used to do full English teas that were monthly, and tea tastings with tea-infudes treats,” he said. But this was not enough for many customers. “Everyday there was always someone who came in that said, ‘Did it ever occur to you how awesome it would be if you sold food here?’…So [this expansion] kind of had to happen, especially because a business, at some point, has to grow.”
And, with the quality and diversity of its new menu, it will be hard for TeaHaus not to grow. For example, the “Quickie English Tea,” is a miniature version of the sumptuous classic. The centerpiece of the platter were three scones made according to McDonald’s Welsh recipe. Accompanying them were two different jams, a heavenly lemon custard, and clotted cream, whose richness perfectly offset the dry texture of the scones. Also served were two plain cucumber sandwiches, some delicate pastries, and a smooth, miniature crème brulée.
Though the menu changes from week to week, some other items include the following: dukka, a North African dish where bread is dipped in spices and sauces; a weekly soup; roasted baguette with melted cheese and salsa; and handmade truffles.
Since it began as an exclusively retail tea store, some have concerns about where TeaHaus is heading. “It’s a bit of a catch-22,” said Wiertella, the TeaHaus manager. “My fear is that TeaHaus proper will become a gift shop, because that usually is the American model.”
However, TeaHaus seems to have successfully avoided becoming just a curiosity shop where tea is sold on the side. The new room was done in exactly the same style as the original space – the table and chairs are simple and dark, the walls are a solid earth-brown color and light streams in from the large unobstructed windows. This simple setting is very effective, because it keeps one’s attention focused on the hot tea and delicious food. All of these features reiterate the fact that TeaHaus’ purpose is still the same: to provide customers with the highest quality tea to take home and enjoy. As McDonald said, “Our cafe in an extension of what we love most: our tea.”
