Pull up a chair at Sundown's cozy bar. (photography by Jason Acton)

Sundown Tea (photography by Jason Acton)

The Concept: Sundown at Granada is the Granada Theater’s neighboring restaurant and bar with a long list of draft beers and hand-crafted cocktails. Although I’m sure you can grab a bite pre-show, I would be filled with panic watching a line get longer next door while shoveling down the last forkfulls of food and chugging the rest of a beer. This is a perfect spot, however, to discuss your favorite act post-performance and perhaps mingle with band members, who are sure to wander over for a bite.

Who’s There: Thirty-somethings interested in enjoying some quality time together. (Rather than 20-somethings hollering over their third round of Jager bombs.)

When You Enter, Make a Beeline For: A cozy spot. Long gone are the dramatic reds and blacks that made up M Street Bar. Now you’ll find warm, dark woods and earthy accessories that inspire visions of a lakefront cabin or old library (or both, mixed together). Head to the lounge area, which features vintage-looking chairs and rugs. All that’s missing is a fireplace. I would like to recommend the patio with its long tables befitting groups, but the stinky smoke from the chiminea left us smelling like we’d returned from a camping trip.

photography by Jason Acton

What We Drank: A few cocktails, a few beers. (Food starts this Friday.) We did what I think one should do at fancy cocktail joints: ask the waiter to have the bartender to make his favorite drink. Our server didn’t look thrilled when we asked for “something spicy, whatever the bartender likes.” Either way, he brought us a Sundown Tea, a housemade tea concoction spiced with jalapeno, and a Cucumber Cilantro ‘Tini. Both were tasty, if a little on the sweet side. The beer menu boasts 60 options. Our beer snob buddy is calling it a list of “good” options, “not stellar.” Lagunitas Little Sumpin’ Wild, Samuel Smith’s seasonal Winter Warmer, and the Left Hand Milk Stout got us excited, but we wouldn’t mind seeing a few one-of-a-kind rotating drafts. Although the kitchen wasn’t open yet, a few samples of soon-to-be-served Mexican Pizza was passed around. It was spicy and delicious.

A peaceful nook for cocktails and conversation. (photography by Jason Acton)

What They’re Wearing: Casual stuff. Jeans will do, but if you head over gussied up, don’t fret. You’ll still fit right in.

When the Crowd Arrives: We settled in on a Friday after work, and the bar had plenty of patrons but also plenty of elbow room.

Bottom Line: Sundown is in its beginning stages. Happy hours aren’t yet in place, and food isn’t being served until this Friday, January 13. All in all, though, we’ll call it a decent bar experience that left us feeling like we were hanging out in a friend’s living room. But we’re excited to go back for food and a post-show nightcap.

Check out our Party Pics gallery from Sundown.

Tea sandwiches at Eden Café.

At first glance you might mistake Eden Café for a cozy residence on East West Lovers Lane. The sweet house is nestled between a few homey businesses (Junkadoodle’s one of them) but it’s in fact a delicious café you shouldn’t miss. Afternoon tea here is more about the bites than the sips, but that’s just fine with Kristin and me. After all, Eden Café owner Karen Kahn is a chef, and her specialty is creating a menu full of homemade dishes. We recently enjoyed a lovely three-course afternoon tea session, and we can firmly say the tea is good, the bring-your-own-champagne part is fun, and the scones are the best we’ve ever had. Ever. Jump for a full review.

Scones, glorious scones.

We took seats in the sunlit backroom and had the champagne we brought immediately stuffed into a bucket of ice. We decided on the white and green tea fusion to pair with the pretty platter of finger sandwiches. The cucumber sandwich was crisp and fresh; the pimento, zesty; the olive and tomato, a bit bland; and the salmon, delicious. Each one looked like edible art before we attacked. We went next with a honey plum tea, which was sweet even without sugar. (A quick squeeze of lemon added just the right touch to tone it down.) Out with it came a silver tray of breads and scones. Zucchini bread, banana bread, and carrot muffins were moist and flavorful. The lemon poppy seed muffins were heavenly lemony without an obnoxious sugar overload. And the scones were, oy vey, INCREDIBLE. The precious biscuits were served with mascarpone rather than clotted cream. (We’re now eating them this way all the time.) Cinnamon apple, blueberry, and cranberry versions are all delicious and perfectly baked. We probably could have eaten Chef Kahn’s scones all day long, but alas, dessert came and we ordered a wild raspberry tea to accompany it. (A splash of cream in the cup made the raspberry tea taste like roses.) Mousse, served in a dark chocolate shot glass, went beautifully with the tea. The mango tart was light and creamy. Brownies were flavorful and dense from being made with cream cheese. The lemon bars, though they took last place in our lineup of favorites, were tasty. The experience, as a whole, was one of our favorite tea outings. And for $25 (with tip), you can experience it, too. Call up Eden Café and ask for a reservation 24 hours in advance. High Tea is served from 3 pm to 5:30 pm. You won’t be sorry you did.

Sugar rush.

Ps. For my birthday, Karen hand-prepared different dishes for nearly 14 of my friends and family members. According to the evening’s conversations, every dish was one “one of the best” everyone had ever had. She received a round of applause when she finally got the chance to leave the kitchen. So I highly recommend a cozy, candle-lit, BYOB dinner here, too.

I was on cocktail number two when one of the many servers roaming about Bar Celine crouched next to the table we had surrounded and began pouring us all small glasses of straight gin for a quick tasting. “Oh, don’t pour me one,” insisted Katherine, my partner-in-crime for the evening (and D’s chic shopping intern, I might add). “Don’t pour you one?” Dan Warner shot back from across the table (charming English accent and all). “That’s what we’re here for, come on!”

Yes, gin was precisely the reason we had all gathered together on a Monday night. Warner, the international brand ambassador for Beefeater London, and Desmond Payne, Gin Master Distiller, were throwing an alcoholic tea party of sorts—all in celebration of Beefeater 24. The tasty gin, handcrafted of 12 botanicals (including an exquisite blend of Chinese Green and rare Japanese Sencha teas), was simply making its Dallas debut. Dallas is only the 10th market to carry the new gin, joining the ranks of New York, L.A., San Francisco, etc. Yes, Dallasites, we’re moving up in the world.

Jump for more about the party.

As Katherine and I sipped our tasty concoctions (and feasted on the cupcakes and hors d’oeuvres), Warner told us about this rare gem of an alcohol. Distilled in London, Beefeater 24’s name comes from the unique 24-hour steeping process, as well as the city’s “24-hour lifestyle.” Grapefruit is probably the most prominent note, upon first whiff. But accents of orris root and Seville orange peel are quick to follow, post-sip. Even more impressive, however, is the man behind the mix. Desmond Payne, who has been distilling gin for 43 years now, claims the official title as the world’s most experienced Gin Master Distiller—so you know this stuff has gotta be good! And I have to throw in that his inspiration for the gin was derived while in Japan, which automatically wins points from me, a girl who only wishes she could call Tokyo her stomping grounds.

The event was a hoot. The bartenders and servers all wore Mad Hatter top hats, in keeping with the tea party theme. Offered were four signature cocktails featuring Beefeater 24. I insist you try the St. Henderson’s 24—a Bar Celine original, created by Scott Melton. Even after a monotonous Monday work day, Katherine and I left feeling on top of the world.

Bartender Chris Burns

Ah, tea at The Adolphus. A blissful experience to say the least. The atmosphere, the service and the food all represent the best of what afternoon tea has to offer. Don’t get me wrong, there are a number of tea services in the area that are lovely, delicious and relaxing as well. (In fact, see Raya’s review of our experience at The Arboretum here.) But there’s just something about the regal décor, the tea captain in her tuxedo with tails, and the classical pianist that makes one feel as if the letters HRH (His/Her Royal Highness) precede their name.

The experience begins as we are escorted to a cozy sofa surrounded by lush greenery. On a coffee table in front of us sit two formal place settings (see photo) and a plate of three small cookies to whet our appetites. We are handed a list of teas to peruse and asked if we’d like champagne. (Yes, please.) The tea captain, Michelle (who has been in her position for five years and knows everything about tea), explains that we should choose three flavors to be shared between us. Raya and I decide on Pear Caramel, Rainforest Mate, and a special chocolaty blend carried only occasionally, Decadence. Michelle then decides which will pair best with each course and serves them accordingly. First up, the Rainforest Mate and a plate of finger sandwiches for each of us. The tea is simply delicious with a perfect balance of spice and fruit. The flavors of mint, rose petals, apple, pineapple chunks, star anise, lemongrass and cloves blend together to create a flavorful yet delicate result. In between sips, we nibbled on smoked turkey with tarragon dijonaise on whole wheat bread, English cucumber with Boursin cream cheese on house made white, fresh mozzarella with vine ripe tomatoes, balsamic reduction and fresh basil, curried chicken salad on a mini croissant and egg salad on brioche. The turkey had just the right amount of smokiness and the cucumber was good, nothing special, but definitely good. The tomato mozzarella could have used a bit more cheese but was still delicious. Not a fan of curry, I was surprised that I actually enjoyed the curried chicken salad. It had just a hint of the Indian spice which gave it a little kick but not so much that it kept me from enjoying it. And the light, fluffy croissant made it even better. Our favorite sandwich by far was the egg salad. The soft bread and not-too-mayonnaise-y egg mixture combined with the tiny crunch of chives was heavenly.

My favorite course paired Pear Caramel tea with scones and clotted cream. The Adolphus makes their scones the traditional way, with golden raisins. “To eat them like the Queen,” Michelle explained, “they should be cut in half lengthwise, then covered with marmalade followed by the clotted cream.” We, of course, followed instructions. The scones were fantastic, not too crumbly, and the jam and clotted cream just sweet enough. We couldn’t decide what we liked better, the scones, or the tea with its incredible aroma and peachy, caramel flavor.

And last but certainly not least, dessert. Michelle served the Decadence tea and told us that while she usually feels tea should be served without milk, the chocolate notes of the Decadence tea are enriched by it. We tasted it both ways (with and without milk) and enjoyed each for different reasons. If I were drinking it alone, without all the sweets at my fingertips, I’d probably use milk, which makes it similar in taste to a light hot chocolate. But the plain version was just as enjoyable, and even better, with the pastries. The miniature treats, as you can see from the photo, were almost too pretty to eat. Almost. I started with the chocolate mousse and was pleasantly surprised to find raspberries on the bottom. It was rich and creamy, and the chocolate didn’t overpower the raspberries. Yum! The raspberry chocolate cake was light and fluffy, but because the mousse had the same flavor palette, it would have been nice to have something a little different. It was delicious though, so I really can’t complain. Lemon desserts can sometimes be too sour but the next confection wasn’t too much of anything. In fact, it was a perfectly-textured citrus pyramid atop a buttery, crunchy wafer that melted in our mouths. If you like pecan pie, the pecan diamond will not let you down with its crunchy, gooey goodness. And just when we thought we couldn’t possibly ingest one more thing, out came the creamiest, most decadent truffles ever. We somehow managed to gobble them up. Go figure.

After about two hours, we were stuffed. But it was worth every single bite.

Tea at The Adolphus is offered Thursday through Saturday from 3pm to 4:45 and is $38 per person (which includes tax, gratuity and parking). Champagne is not included but definitely available. Make your reservation well in advance as they fill up quickly. Call 214-742-8200, ext. 3174.

I am drinking Natura Sparkling Water with tons of lime, and GET SMART from Republic of Tea…a tea that is supposed to help you focus, improve memory, and other good stuff.  

Jump for the details of the Arboretum’s Friendship Tea, which ends on February 28.
To begin, you’ll take a little stroll (three minutes) to the DeGolyer Garden Café. It’s a pleasant way to start the day. We checked in, were seated at a table (but take note: there are three couch-y areas to enjoy, as well), and were immediately greeted by sweet Nelson, the tea host, and his white gloves. The first tea in line was Cranberry Spice, a subtle tea with a holiday flavor. Nice, but uncomplicated. (We like our tea with a little complication.) It was served with Lemon Grass Soup, an amazing broth made of heavy cream, curry, and coconut milk. It was a knockout. We immediately ordered champagne—we always take champagne with our tea—and it was tasty, a little on the sweet side.

Peach Cinnamon Hibiscus tea was next, served with tea sandwiches: Poppyseed Bread with Cream Cheese, Turkey with Orange Butter on Rosemary Bread, Egg Salad on Pumpernickel, Creamed Cucumber on White Bread, and Chicken Salad on Croissant. The tea was complex (the way we like it) with a big peach flavor and more subtle floral and spice notes underneath. Though the sandwich breads were a bit dry and the egg and chicken salads needed some life, we loved the pound cake-esque poppy seed bread with cream cheese and the combination of the sweet citrus butter and woody herb flavored bread on the turkey sandwich. The cucumber sandwich was delightful, too, fluffy and fresh.

Fanciest Formosa tea came next, and from what I have researched, it’s a Taiwanese oolong tea, which is described as pale and fruity. We saw the pale, but didn’t taste the fruity. Didn’t matter. Desserts were the star of this third course. On the tiered serving tray we found date bars, tea cakes, chocolate covered strawberries, lemon curd tarts, and orange currant scones served with strawberry jam and clotted cream. The date bars were a sugar lover’s dream: gooey nutty flavor with a crystallized sugar crunch and a cookie bottom. Delish! The tea cakes were light and comforting. The chocolate covered strawberries had an equal fruit-to-chocolate ratio, and the lemon curd tarts were flaky, tangy, and gooey enough to be served in heaven. But the orange currant scones take took cake. (Get it… cake? I’m so witty.) They were, perhaps, some of the best scones we’ve had. They were warm and flaky, thick on the inside, and filled with sticky currants. With the cream and strawberry jam, we only wished they were bigger.

We went ahead and tried the Vanilla Mint tea, too. It took a few sips to taste the vanilla and the mint, but once we did, we preferred it to the Fanciest Formosa, but either way, a lighter tea is a good way to end this gluttony.

We spent about two and a half hours in the DeGolyer Tea Room, but the pace is yours to set. Nelson will keep up if you’re chugging and gobbling or help you move at a leisurely pace if you’re sipping and nibbling. The tea service runs from Thursday to Sunday and begins at 11 am. (It’s never too early for champagne, is it?) Though the Arboretum does different tea services throughout the year—Holiday Tea is in early December, for example—the Friendship Tea only lasts through the 28th of this month, so make your reservations now. You’ll pay $38 for standard tea or $48 for champagne tea (yes, please), but the price includes admission to the Garden, parking, and gratuity. (Plus, you’ll find a 15 percent-off coupon for the gift store on your plate.) An affordable and worthy experience we say. For reservations, call 214-515-6610.

I asked Pyles why he wanted to do the Supper Club, and he had this to say:

“Having traveled the world in search of exotic flavors and preparations, the opportunity to showcase those tastes and customs in this one-time dinner spectacle was very exciting. You will savor the cuisine and cocktails inspired by India, Spain, and the Eastern Mediterranean–think curries, garam masala, cardamom, tandoori, naan, labneh, pomegranates, and pumpkin kofte. Have you ever had a remarkable Lebanese wine? Had your fortune read from the grounds of your Turkish coffee? You will at this dinner! Revel in the unique experience with Indian and Arabic music, belly dancers, and the exotic hookah ritual of narguile shisha.”

Stephan Pyles knows how to throw a party!

During the dessert course, Kyle Stewart of the Cultured Cup will demonstrate a traditional Afghan tea ceremony, and everyone will be able to try Samar’s Afghan Tea, as well as an authentic Masala chai.

Dancing girls! Hookahs! Lebanese wine! Goody bags! Communal tables! Dancing Hookahs ? Perhaps.

The  SideDish Supper Club is not just dinner; it’s a culinary learning experience. Please join us on Sunday, December 6, for the next SideDish Supper Club. The cost is $110 per person and we have included tax, gratuity, and valet parking.

CHECK OUT THE MENU BY CLICKING ON THE SIDEDISH SUPPER CLUB LOGO TO THE RIGHT. Hurry, seating is limited. 214-922-9922.

First course: sweet potato scones with smoked apple butter. Light and crumbly perfection they were, though I didn’t necessarily care for the smoked flavor of the apple butter.

Second course: Teeny sandwiches (pictured). From left to right: Texas slaw and avocado on a mini corn muffin; pepper Jack, spinach, and wild mushroom on house-made brioche; pulled braised beef with sweet onion and horseradish aoili on a baby cheddar biscuit; Amarosa tomato filled with goat cheese and marinated cucumber.

Third course (pictured above): Petit fours. I squealed with delight when I saw the dish come out.

A few other things of note. The china was a dainty sweet pink and green pattern. If I recall correctly it was Haviland. Each course was paired with a choice of tea. The meal was prix fixe, with a choice of Miss Melanie or Miss Scarlett. The latter, only a few dollars more, included a glass of champagne or a mint julep. We all turned our noses up at the mere mention of a mint julep, having tried it once in New Orleans and decided it was, well, the most disgusting thing ever. The server talked us into it, however, assuring us that this was like no other. And she was right. It gave mint juleps a new name.

Also, there was a smokin’ hot dish behind the bar who commented on my dress. If you are him: E-mail me.

It has oolong Tea Leaves, cinnamon, rose petals and cardamom (that is what
you tasted in it), the rest are very subtle, they just round out the flavor.

Go make some. Now.

“Bill Addison will receive a national Association of Food Journalists award for restaurant criticism. The other finalists are: Will Ferrell for Talladega Dinner Nights and M.F.K. Fisher’s Recipes from the Grave. The ranking of the three awards will be announced at a conference in October.”

Kidding, so, so, so kidding. Way to go, Freckle Face, I hope you beat the pants off of your true rivals Lee Klein of Miami New Times and Tom Sietsema of The Washington Post-it.

Austin-based Sweet Leaf Tea (you know, the drinks with the Snapple-like bottles sporting a pic of a grandma on the label that you can buy at Central Market and Whole Foods) has introduced a new flavor—Pomegranate Green Tea—to its lineup. But that’s not the point of this post. In honor of today, aka Earth Day, the company has distributed a couple of cocktail recipes incorporating its organic green tea blends. Jump if you’ve always wanted to learn how to make a Global Cooler or mix up some Earth Punch.

The Global Cooler
–3 parts Sweet Leaf’s Organic Mint & Honey Green Tea
–1 part Tito’s Handmade Vodka
–Garnish with freshly cut mint

Earth Punch
–3 parts Sweet Leaf’s Organic Pomegranate Green Tea
–1 part Tito’s Handmade Vodka
–Garnish with fresh pomegranate seeds

Picked up a can of Pokka Green Tea w/ Jasmine at the Whole Foods on Lemmon Ave. It tastes fresh, sweet, and the jasmine is unbelievable. At 72 calories and only 18g of sugar, it isn’t too bad, either. The unsweetened version (another brand I can’t remember that’s also in a can) was a bit too bland, and even a little bitter. This is just about perfect.

Grab one instead of an Orangina. I did.