Suddenly, everyone's "discovering" tea, a pleasure about which I have been writing since 1989, when I began my publication, Tea Talk. Then, we knew about three hundred tea rooms nationwide, and now there are more than seven hundred, and more are opening up everyday.

Listed below are some tried-and-true tea rooms plus a few new hot spots for tea; all have these things in common: a reverence for tea as a beverage and tea ceremonies as a welcome respite in our all-too-hectic lives. In each issue of Tea Talk, we list places that serve tea. Please share your favorite locations with me

Most places listed here offer European or British-style tea service which includes cream tea (crumpets or scones, pastries, dessert, and tea), afternoon tea (scones, sandwiches, tea breads, desserts, candies or petit fours, and tea), and, rarely but increasingly, a high tea menu which usually includes heartier sandwiches, sometimes scones or crumpets but always savories (i.e. sausage rolls, Cornish pasties, potted shrimp, and selected cheeses), and a bracing cup of tea.

Times and prices change so rapidly, we recommend that you call ahead for reservations, particularly during any holiday or tourist seasons.
After several years of remodeling, this venerable hotel to the stars is bringing back its classy, traditional afternoon tea. Stop by and see what wonders they have done to this classic beauty. (PS the food's great, too!)

Three levels of tea served daily from 3 to 6 p.m. in The Living Room, a sun-splashed yellow and beige area of silk sofas and gracious table seating areas. We love the feel, look, and comfort of this lobby; it is pure California. The choices of teas continues to grow, and most are prepared quite well. The royal tea comes with strawberries and a glass of champagne, both purely American touches, but you have to rest up from Rodeo Drive shopping somehow.

This converted Victorian home is the place to visit when in the San Francisco south bay. It is in the charming carriage-trade town of Burlingame, a mecca for antiques and gift shoppers. The tea room offers books, gifts, teas, and wonderful accessories that you can view after sampling one of their three tea menus. Tuesday through Saturday. Fortnum & Mason Royal Blend is the house tea; other choices available.

Easily the favorite choice of visitors to this seaside town. Tea is served in The Library overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Three levels of tea menus served daily. Reservations essential!

Surrounding the Rendezvous Court where two full afternoon menus are served daily . A great people-watching place and an ideal spot for a light meal before the theater or just to avoid the 5 o'clock traffic rush.

This is the tea shop that revolutionized tea drinking in Los Angeles. Tiny, serene, elegant, with fine food and an excellent choice of teas from around the world. Try their exceptional new green teas from Nilgiri, Darjeeling, and their famous "Jade Oolong," one of our personal favorites. Good selection of gift items, especially their glasses for hot and iced teas; charming! Open daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m..

This classic American-style restaurant is famous for its steaks and gargantuan breakfasts. Tea is always serenely presented and there is a great comfort in its predictability. You'll love the red leather booths and professional staff. The meal comes with a glass of sherry and a traditional menu. We keep going back because it's quiet, comfy and, okay, a bargain at $10.

Afternoon tea in charming vintage clothing store where you can cop a hat from the wall and "dress up" no matter how old you are. Carefully created menu items to please the palate of any age.

Charming, original murals on the walls depict English scenes that add whimsy and a touch of authentic English locale to this charming tea room. Faux walls and windows separate you from the fabulous gift shop with its incredible table accessories, food, and gift items.. Fortnum & Mason teas are served with the traditional tea menus from lunch time through tea time.

This is the venerable English complex of storybook, thatched cottages that helped start the tea revolution in southern California. offer everything imaginable for gifts and home accessories from England, plus one of the best English-

styled teas anywhere. Tea is served on crisp linens with freshly made, English-style teas and genuine clotted cream for the scones. An ideal place for children to practice their newly-learned manners and for adults of all ages to drift back in time.

This lovely tearoom offers tea in the garden. A beautiful courtyard with fountain is part of this fragrant, full-service flower shop and tea room specializing in edible flowers. Unique loose leaf teas and fine blends. Open daily.

Relax in the richly appointed lobby with its highly polished mahogany furniture and fine accessories. Pianist. Tea served Tuesday through Saturday. -- what better location is there for pre- or apres-tea shopping?

After being away from the tea scene for quite a while, the Westgate has come back with a tea service that is pure style. Traditional full set tea is served in their beautiful lobby, with your choice of 12 teas, Monday through Saturday.

The Glass Ship dome ceiling on the top floor is the perfect screen for a sun-splashed afternoon tea. This classic

department store serves tea in The Rotunda Restaurant Monday through Saturday. Incredible desserts! Nearby food and gift shop offers many tea-time delights.

Soft silk sofas, cozy eating areas, harpist or other musicians, and exquisite furnishings, paintings and soft lighting all make for an exceptionally fine ambiance. Nibble away at this classic Ritz afternoon tea. Offered in the step-up lobby lounge daily.

Set in the Rose Garden Room with views of the bucolic gardens which change with the seasons. English style tea is served buffet style daily, except Mondays. Adjacent to the Huntington Library which houses genuine Shakespeare folios, Gainsborough paintings, and many other fine art and accessory items.

Afternoon tea in charming Victorian home where you can cop a hat from the wall and "dress up" no matter how old you are. Carefully created menu items to please the palate of any age.

Sip A.C. Perch teas of Copenhagen at the only place in the country that serves it! This vibrant, rich selection of teas is bracing and comforting at the same time. Select from four menus Wednesdays through Sundays; Cream Tea only on Tuesdays. Wonderful shopping and delicious food.

offers what must be the very best Darjeelings anywhere. A true aficionada, Mary's shop offers chai, an Indian tea "drink" with cardamom, and her tea treats reflect an interest in Himalayan cultures. A must-see. Ask about her Ashley Falls Tea Learning Centre!

In this tiny state, where tradition and history are so important, you can always rely on the Hotel Dupont to come through for you. A refreshing afternoon tea is served daily in the lobby lounge. A classic in every way.

Luxurious tea dining in the sky-lit, carpeted Greenhouse on the lobby level with soothing sounds of a fountain nearby. Choice of 11 teas to pair with one of three menus. Served daily.

A creative spin makes the tea foods here very special; open daily except Sunday. Major shopping in this 19th century vintage town.

Soothing music from a chamber ensemble or harpist sets the scene for the elegant Salon. Two full tea menus are served daily and you select from 25 loose leaf teas and a European menu. One of the prestigious Orient Express

Housed in home. Ask about the secret door in the wall office; it's a delight. The gallery always has something exquisite to view. Then, top off the venture with tea in the Atrium Garden Court. All items a la carte.. Open daily except Monday.

Unique tea showcase set below the The vast emporium includes a tea bar, retail tea and gift shops, antique furnishings, and a menu as innovative as the setting. Indulge in the exquisitely perfumed T salon teas -- unusual and exotic. Full set tea menu, of course. Try to go for dinner when everything on the menu (from chicken to sushi) is seasoned, flavored, or cooked in some way with tea.

Tea Box

Exquisite store features charming Japanese items for a few dollars to antique tea kettles for thousands. Exceptional menu of fine teas from around the world with food items available a la carte or European set tea. Created in the style of a box, all tea services are set in serene surroundings that transport you miles away from the madness of Fifth Avenue traffic. Monday through Saturday.

Here's the ideal place to sample the world's finest Oolongs plus some exceptional greens. Tea is priced per sampling and everything is available for take-out. An incredible selection.

department store serves tea in The Rotunda Restaurant Monday through Saturday. Incredible desserts! Nearby food and gift shop offers many tea-time delights.

Soft silk sofas, cozy eating areas, harpist or other musicians, and exquisite furnishings, paintings and soft lighting all make for an exceptionally fine ambiance. Nibble away at this classic Ritz afternoon tea. Offered in the step-up lobby lounge daily.

Set in the Rose Garden Room with views of the bucolic gardens which change with the seasons. English style tea is served buffet style daily, except Mondays. Adjacent to the Huntington Library which houses genuine Shakespeare folios, Gainsborough paintings, and many other fine art and accessory items.

Afternoon tea in charming Victorian home where you can cop a hat from the wall and "dress up" no matter how old you are. Carefully created menu items to please the palate of any age.

Sip A.C. Perch teas of Copenhagen at the only place in the country that serves it! This vibrant, rich selection of teas is bracing and comforting at the same time. Select from four menus Wednesdays through Sundays; Cream Tea only on Tuesdays. Wonderful shopping and delicious food.

offers what must be the very best Darjeelings anywhere. A true aficionada,  shop offers chai, an Indian tea "drink" with cardamom, and her tea treats reflect an interest in Himalayan cultures. A must-see. Ask about her Ashley Falls Tea Learning Centre!

In this tiny state, where tradition and history are so important, you can always rely on the Hotel Dupont to come through for you. A refreshing afternoon tea is served daily in the lobby lounge. A classic in every way.

Luxurious tea dining in the sky-lit, carpeted Greenhouse on the lobby level with soothing sounds of a fountain nearby. Choice of 11 teas to pair with one of three menus. Served daily.

A creative spin makes the tea foods here very special; open daily except Sunday. Major shopping in this 19th century vintage town.

Soothing music from a chamber ensemble or harpist sets the scene for the elegant Salon. Two full tea menus are served daily and you select from 25 loose leaf teas and a European menu. One of the prestigious Orient Express

Housed in home. Ask about the secret door in the wall office; it's a delight. The gallery always has something exquisite to view. Then, top off the venture with tea in the Atrium Garden Court. All items a la carte.. Open daily except Monday.

Unique tea showcase set below the The vast emporium includes a tea bar, retail tea and gift shops, antique furnishings, and a menu as innovative as the setting. Indulge in the exquisitely perfumed T salon teas -- unusual and exotic. Full set tea menu, of course. Try to go for dinner when everything on the menu (from chicken to sushi) is seasoned, flavored, or cooked in some way with tea.

Tea Box

Exquisite store features charming Japanese items for a few dollars to antique tea kettles for thousands. Exceptional menu of fine teas from around the world with food items available a la carte or European set tea. Created in the style of a box, all tea services are set in serene surroundings that transport you miles away from the madness of Fifth Avenue traffic. Monday through Saturday.

Here's the ideal place to sample the world's finest Oolongs plus some exceptional greens. Tea is priced per sampling and everything is available for take-out. An incredible selection.

A gift-box of a shop showcasing Japanese sweets and teas by the cup. Setting is restful and quiet in a minimalist interior. A marvelous find for those who love native Japanese green teas.

teas and attention to detail are all part of the exquisite pleasure of this wonderful restaurant. They truly understand what perfect tea is all about. Try some of their selections with their dramatically exquisite pastries. Perfectly wonderful.

Oregon

Set in an historic 1868 home, this charming tea room offers value and wit with their teas, served daily with Lyons Quick Brew for a decided English touch. Also provides sympathy for fifty cents; what a steal!

You might want to drift from tea to the dining room where the world's finest chefs create sumptuous meals fit for the gourmand. Tea is spectacular, especially the selections represented by Philadelphia's premier tea shop: The House of Tea. The food service here is exquisite. Served Monday through Saturday in the lobby lounge.

If you're looking for a theatrical setting, dramatic tea service, and a darn good time, take tea in the elegant Room. The sophisticated, historic building is just one good reason for having tea here; others include: great service, fine tea, and delicious food. Daily.

An experienced tea leaf reader is just part of the fun of tea staged in the lobby lounge of this delightful Southern institution open for afternoon tea Monday through Saturday with two set menus. Perfect place for parties.

This is a popular hotel, where the mallard ducks have the run of the outdoor fountain -- and sometimes the run of the hotel. The tea, however, is classic: served with inimitable grace and always worth the wait. A must-do in Memphis. Served Monday through Friday and by reservation.

Shopping the English Countryside in the

Full-set tea is served in the store's Thatched Cottage Pantry, Monday through Saturday. Be forewarned: the delectables are delicious and the accessories and antiques that surround you are habit forming. Bring credit cards.

AAA's five-diamond award-winning Tea served daily in the Garden Terrace restaurant.

has hosted visitors and natives. You'll love their tea, held in, a former sitting room overlooking the main lobby. Available daily.