PORTLAND
Tea is the heart and soul of the Tao of Tea. You can feel it. The First International Teahouse (Original Tao) in the thriving Belmont area is an exemplar of the way of tea. There are two parts, a teahouse and their retail shop, the Leaf Room. The teahouse offers over 100 loose-leaf teas and a menu of vegetarian offerings from around the world. Tea is clearly the focus here. They offer ceremony styles including gaiwan and gongfu. I enjoyed the gaiwan method for my Jing Mai White, which was subtle and delicious. My friend selected an old-growth Bangwei Mountain, Yunnan served gongfu style. This strong, earthy Puerh continued to evolve over numerous steepings. International fare lends itself aptly to the teahouse experience. We had an early lunch of dal (yellow lentil and basmati rice) hummus and warm pita. After lunch we lingered over a very special dessert of warm mejdool date whole-wheat flatbread topped with dried cranberries, toasted coconut and drizzled with honey. Another good thing about this teahouse is the service. As outstanding as the tea and accompanying food is, the pleasant and tea-educated service added even more to our time. The rustic ambience feels global and compliments the variety of tea and cuisine. Craftsman working without formal drawings created the space from bamboo, reclaimed wood, copper and stone. This is a haven revolving around tea.
Tao of Tea, Tower of Cosmic Reflection, Classical Chinese Garden Teahouse
Nestled within the Chinese Gardens of downtown Portland is a traditional Chinese teahouse operated by the Tao of Tea. This gem is a collaborative project between the City of Portland and its sister city in China, Suzhou. A group of over 80 artisans, many traveling from China, worked for a year constructing this unique structure in America. After a walk through the tracery of greens, pathways and lily pond we relaxed with tea and snacks. My friend and I shared Royal Phoenix Oolong served gongfu style. We relished the bright space and atmosphere and enjoyed the methodical preparation of each steeping of our tea. We snacked on black sesame chips and a sweet of dried, pressed plums with licorice and orange peel. This is a special place and I can’t wait to spend time here again.
In the posh shopping district of 23rd Avenue, Tea Chai Té offers a spot to refresh. A couch and cushioned chairs provide a comfy, casual place to use their free WIFI and the outdoor space offers a view over 23rd. The service is helpful and friendly. A wooden grid displays small glass jars filled with tea you can sniff and choose. They carry a variety of 80 loose-leaf teas including black from India, China and Sri Lanka, green from Japan, oolong from Taiwan, yerba mate from South America, fruit infusions and 10 different kinds of chai. I tried two teas. I picked Vanilla Peach Apricot black and enjoyed it with milk and sugar. My friend chose iced Honeydew White; refreshing for a warm August day. The Honeydew White was delicious iced and I have since made it at home and it is ideal prepared hot as well. This teahouse is a good place to meet friends, bring your laptop or book and enjoy an extended living room.
Behind a Pearl District tea shop in the contemporary American style sits a surprise, a true tea bar mixing tea and alcohol into great tasting concoctions. Tea Zone carries over 120 loose-leaf teas and offers a large teapot and accessory selection. In addition to classic and flavored teas, their wide range of drinks includes tea lattes, bubble teas, smoothies and tea tonics. The Camellia Lounge employs the notion of mixology and the slogan “drinks should not only taste good but be good for you.” Our tea infused cocktails came with inventive names as well: “The Bobby” made of mango black tea, vodka with 7-up and the “Streetcar Named Desire” made with Champagne, pomegranate liquor and hibiscus juice. It’s cozy and comfortable all day and becomes low-lit and lounge-like in the early evenings. They serve a wide variety of food with an international touch including falafel, samosas, quiche and panini. Sunday brunch combines traditional favorites and organic products. Desserts are plentiful; the tiny lemon tea cookies are amazing. I’ll return to try more creative tea combinations and enjoy the cozy atmosphere and friendly service.
Read more about Portland’s Tao of Tea Tower of Cosmic Reflection in the Classical Chinese Garden:
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This casual space is filled with folks working on various projects – a group of event-planners on Macs, a woman knitting by an expansive window, a young couple with a tiny baby on an outing.
Townshend’s is a welcoming place. Large windows offset the dark walls hung with vibrant canvases. Vintage lamps add to the homey feel while cable lighting keeps it contemporary. They offer eighty-five loose-leaf teas from shiny silver tins. Plus, they offer a rotating list of rare teas. The friendly staff will guide you through the selection. Light snacks and sweets are available. This is a great place to go when you have work to complete or just want to relax.