AFTERNOON TEA IN MIAMI NEVER LOOKED AND TASTED SO SWEET By Gisel Habibnejad With the popularity of tea blossoming in Miami, it’s hard to ignore the celebrated tearooms housing this elegant past time. We drink it all year round, and while you can drink coffee no matter the season as well; we always find ourselves turning to tea for remedies, nightly calm-me-downs, and morning pick-me-ups. Europe isn’t the only place that can enjoy their tea times–Miami is catching up and we’re doing it with style. You can enjoy Parisian desserts and delights at Ladurée or indulge fully on the experience at The Tea Room in Cauley Square. Who said Miami can’t do teatime? Here are two teahouses that dispel the myth. Ladurée Photography by Camilo Rios While tea is usually associated with the English, the tradition has come a long way with other cultures, such as the French. The beginning of the crossover is closely linked to the Ladurée family. For all things Paris, Ladurée is the place to go. Not only can you experience an afternoon in Paris, you can indulge in popular French bites like macaroons, ice cream and sorbet, pastries, and tarts. The small café is decorated and built to look remarkably identical to an authentic Parisian café–from the décor all the way down to their tasty treats. Everywhere you turn, you’re completely immersed in their gold, pink, and teal color theme. Enjoy your delicious desserts while people watching outside the restaurant in their classic table and chair sets. Don’t forget to take your little piece of Paris home with you! You can also purchase gift boxes with your choice of macaroons. So many styles and sizes to choose from, you might even end up taking more than one with you. Ladurée is located at 1118 Lincoln Road, Miami, FL 33139 For more information about Ladurée, please visit www.laduree.com The Tea Room in Cauley Square Photography by Andrew Feher If you’re looking for a cozy place to gather up your girlfriends for an afternoon tea, look no further than The Tea Room Restaurant at Cauley Square. With various themes of tearooms to choose from, there’s no denying the coziness that this teahouse offers. While themes vary, the vintage feel cannot be denied. Whichever room you choose, one thing is certain: you will feel as though you stepped into an English tearoom in the heart of London. Aside from the ambiance, The Tea Room Restaurant boasts Smoked Nova Scotia Platter for breakfast and a Lobster Club sandwich with a side of fruit, just to name a few of your options. Of course, they serve all kinds of tea ranging from organic herbal to spiced tea and everything in-between. The full-service restaurant houses a tea court, an outdoor seating area to enhance the mode of relaxation. With this stunning view, maybe teatime can become the new happy hour! Opened by Martha Wade, this teahouse has been around since 1974, and even survived the horrific Hurricane Andrew in 1992. However, the history of Cauley Square dates back to 1880 when the village was first established by William Cauley and Mr. Flager. The building was built in 1945, and by the 1950s, the village had become a spot for antique dealers. As many visitors can see, the restaurant has kept its vintage façade in everything from the décor to dining ware. The restaurant hosts a daily afternoon tea get together by appointment only, so be sure to have your spot reserved ahead of time. The Tea Room Restaurant at Cauley Square is located at 12310 SW 224th Street, Miami, FL 33170 For more information on The Tea Room Restaurant at Cauley Square, please visit www.tearoommiami.com Click here to view this post in the September/October 2015 digital issue Click here to view our online issue