Regal Cupping - Tea at The Painted Teacup

Opening an otherwise uninteresting e-mail inbox, my heart leaped at a recently received invitation. (No, it wasn't to fly to London in time to attend the Royal Wedding. It was an invitation to tea.) Suddenly, the day seemed luminous and I didn't notice the date coincided with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's wedding. Tea makes every day a special occasion. Needless to say, I gladly accepted and made plans to meet great company at The Painted Teacup.

The Painted Teacup (Upper Darby, PA)

Located just outside of Philadelphia's city limits, The Painted Teacup is a Victorian-style tearoom featuring a small staff who delight in making each guest feel like a peer. Even though I didn't wear the faux sapphire ring they provided (pictured), I did appreciate the Royal Wedding-themed tea. The Painted Teacup's decor manages to strike a good balance between being full without seeming cramped.  The overall atmosphere is intimately comforting.

More than tea themes, The Painted Teacup's tea selection features familiar brands like PG Tips, Twinings, Tea Forte' and Stash Tea. Additionally, house blends such as Queen Elizabeth, which combines Assam, Ceylon and Kenyan black teas, are served daily.

Savories Worthy of Sovereigns

Our entire table remarked over just how tasty every morsel was. There were four courses, including an appetizer and a separate dessert plate. Among the savories, the Broccoli Cheddar quiche converted new fans, so I only managed to "help" one person finish hers. The Painted Teacup's attentive staff made sure that our teacups remained full throughout our meal. Considering our copious consumption, this was no small feat.

Tea is a celebration. The Painted Teacup understands this and it showed in every sip and nibble. To seal the memory until the next visit, tea-inspired gifts tempt you at the checkout. This is a tearoom where we resolved to pause often. Cups up for a tea well done!