Hello LilyOnTheLam.Com Readers:
It is a rainy Sunday evening in Tampa, Florida. As I drove home, I passed by a three car pile up. The owners and passengers of the three cars standing without umbrellas in the pouring rain, were looking very unhappy.
The "glass half full" bright side of the picture is that none of them looked hurt. However standing in the heavy rain while staring at your mangled car is probably not the best way to spend a Sunday afternoon either. I said a "thank you" to the universe that I made it home safe and sound.
This weekend has been chock full of fun events, but I especially wanted to tell you about the "Boozy Tea" at Anise Global Gastrobar in Tampa, Florida.
I love a proper afternoon tea. My favorite tea room is Podunk in New York City. So when I saw on Anise Global Gastrobar's Facebook page that they were planning an afternoon "tea" but with cocktails instead of "tea" and a gift bag for each participant, I knew I needed to sign up for tickets for this event! (Who doesn't love a gift bag??)
I also knew immediately who I wanted to attend the event with - Ms. Seminole Heights. Now don't take it the wrong way - I'm not saying that an event titled "Boozy" made me think of Ms. Seminole Heights! But Anise Global Gastrobar is a swank place (I love, love, love their decor). So a leisurely afternoon of quality edibles, exotic cocktails and great conversation in a swanky place, that sounded like something right up Ms. Seminole Heights' alley. So I asked her if she would be interested - and call me a psychic, but she was!
I've been trying to lead a healthier lifestyle on many levels. I am trying to make sure that what I bring into my headspace and my stomach are quality products. Instead of mindlessly eating crap food, I want it to be good quality and of good taste. And I try my best to limit the portion size.
I also decided I would try to give up alcohol for a year (for calories and health reasons not for addiction ones) but with the exception of a sailing trip I will be taking in November and I'd give myself a "free pass" if there was a really good cocktail event. After 8 months of no drinking (except for a sip of a Caipirinha in Brazil and a couple of sips from friends' cocktails at new places- I have not had a "full glass" since January), I thought that the Boozy Tea would be a good "free pass."
In addition to trying to eat and drink better, I have been trying to spend time with people who lead their lives from a place of optimism versus cynicism. Those who see the glass (or tea cup) as half-full versus half-empty. Those who see themselves as the Captain of their lives versus a victim.
Like my collection of fitness DVDs that I hope will get me into shape through osmosis by sitting on my bookshelf, I hope that if I surround myself with quality, respectful people I can embody more of their positive spirit. I feel like the people we surround ourselves with are just as important as the air we breathe and the food and liquids we eat and drink. If you breathe in polluted air, day after day; your lungs will suffer from the pollution. So if I spend the majority of my time with healthy, upbeat, respectful people- my hope is that I will embody their healthy, upbeat attitudes as well.
Ms. Seminole Heights is one of those healthy, upbeat people. No, her life is not perfect (no one has a perfect life, well maybe Oprah?); but she is not bitter, in denial, angry or a crying victim. Or at least she doesn't appear so to me. I find her to be positive and optimistic, but level-headed as well. She sees the silver lining and the gray cloud - even-keeled I guess is how I see her. And I find our conversations very thought-provoking and emotionally nourishing.
I think it is good to step out of our own heads from time to time and see the world through another person's eyes. Sometimes the key to having a better relationship with our day to day world is just changing the perspective.
So on a gray Sunday afternoon, I met Ms. Seminole Heights at Anise Global Gastrobar for their first "Boozy Tea" event. In addition to the swank, chic surroundings - the staff working the "Boozy Tea" were in lovely dresses and hats. It was like a high end, fancy Alice in Wonderland tea party. It was the perfect touch of glamour.
We sat at the bar while the staff put the finishing touches on the table. The event would have four cocktails and a wide variety of savory and sweet edibles. Some of the food was set before us on a three tier tray and other items would be brought to our table throughout the tea. I felt very pampered by the very friendly and courteous waitstaff.
We started with Cocktail #1: "Mumm's Champagne Spritzer" - which I am renaming "Little Green Martian." It is matcha tea, starfruit juice, ginger and GH Mumm Cordon Rouge champagne.
Which by the way, as I type this I am in my living room with The Body Shop green tea tree oil face mask on. Perhaps I am the Little Green Martian too!
And served on a soup spoon was a savory, complex tasting tomato bisque with a grilled cheese crouton. The grilled cheese crouton had an aged cheese flavor - perhaps Gouda?
The tomato bisque with grilled cheese crouton was my favorite. The zucchini parmesan madeleines my second favorite. OK seriously there wasn't a bad bite in the batch. I loved it all!!
Cocktail #2 was a Green Tea Sour - Jasmine Green Tea, Jameson whiskey and creme de peche. This drink was strong but good! I had to sip it very slowly! Anise Global Gastrobar may want to consider smaller versions of their cocktails for the next Boozy Tea, because I was feeling pretty boozy by drink #2 and I purposely didn't fully finish any of the cocktails. Bring a designated driver or call a taxi! Drink responsibly!
Cocktail #3 was my 2nd favorite which was a surprise. Now I am not the most sophisticated of people, so when the waitstaff put a tea cup with two little dried roses in it in front of me - I had a slight moment of social panic. What was I supposed to do with this?? Seriously I would be the girl drinking from the finger bowl at a fancy dinner party. Trust me, it would happen.
I decided not to do anything with the tea cup. And then the waitstaff came out with steaming pots and filled our dried rose tea cups. Ah-ha ... now it all made sense! Cocktail # 3 was a Rose Oolong Toddy.
Now I am not a big oolong fan nor am I a big hot toddy fan, but wow this drink was great. The fragrance was amazing. It contains rose oolong tea, Jameson black barrel and honey. It was smooth, soft and subtle. And it made my stomach feel like it was getting a gentle hug from Brad Pitt. Talk about a boozy, warm feeling!
Cocktail #4 wins for best looking drink of the Boozy Tea. If you're a regular LilyOnTheLam.com reader (or viewer of my Instagram account @LilyOnTheLam), you will know that I have been boba-crazy lately at Naga Tea, Latte Luna and Kaleisia Tea Lounge.
Well Cocktail #4 is Thai Tea - but with Thai Tea, Jameson Caskmates and black boba pearls. I think there was either Star Anise, Cardamom or Chinese Five Spice in it as well. It was lighter than traditional Thai Tea - which I appreciated. I hate when Thai Tea is too cloyingly sweet. But in true Lily fashion, I enjoyed slurping up the black boba tapioca pearls.
The Anise Global Gastrobar waitstaff came around with platters and platters of extras of each of the plated appetizers. No one left hungry. I was extremely happily satisfied with both the food and cocktails!
In addition to the quality food and high end cocktails, Ms. Seminole Heights and I had a quality conversation on many different topics - life, personal histories, shared philosophies, addiction, denial, personal growth ... Not only did our afternoon tea come with adult beverages, we shared interesting adult, intelligent conversation topics as well. It was the perfect way to spend a rainy Sunday afternoon.
I hope Anise Global Gastrobar does more events like this in the future. (Watch their Facebook page, where they post their events.) The quality and quantity of the food and cocktails was well worth the ticket price per person. It was a high-end, incredibly tasty spread. I enjoyed every single morsel.
And to top it off, at the end of the event we were given a tea cup and saucer and a gift bag. In the gift bag was either a chai soap or sugar face scrub. (Ms. Seminole Heights and I each received the chai soap) and a vanilla bean macaron with the most amazing chocolate filling (an Earl Grey ganache). Which I may have possibly greedily eaten on the drive home.
It is a rainy Sunday evening in Tampa, Florida. As I drove home, I passed by a three car pile up. The owners and passengers of the three cars standing without umbrellas in the pouring rain, were looking very unhappy.
The "glass half full" bright side of the picture is that none of them looked hurt. However standing in the heavy rain while staring at your mangled car is probably not the best way to spend a Sunday afternoon either. I said a "thank you" to the universe that I made it home safe and sound.
This weekend has been chock full of fun events, but I especially wanted to tell you about the "Boozy Tea" at Anise Global Gastrobar in Tampa, Florida.
I love a proper afternoon tea. My favorite tea room is Podunk in New York City. So when I saw on Anise Global Gastrobar's Facebook page that they were planning an afternoon "tea" but with cocktails instead of "tea" and a gift bag for each participant, I knew I needed to sign up for tickets for this event! (Who doesn't love a gift bag??)
I also knew immediately who I wanted to attend the event with - Ms. Seminole Heights. Now don't take it the wrong way - I'm not saying that an event titled "Boozy" made me think of Ms. Seminole Heights! But Anise Global Gastrobar is a swank place (I love, love, love their decor). So a leisurely afternoon of quality edibles, exotic cocktails and great conversation in a swanky place, that sounded like something right up Ms. Seminole Heights' alley. So I asked her if she would be interested - and call me a psychic, but she was!
I've been trying to lead a healthier lifestyle on many levels. I am trying to make sure that what I bring into my headspace and my stomach are quality products. Instead of mindlessly eating crap food, I want it to be good quality and of good taste. And I try my best to limit the portion size.
I also decided I would try to give up alcohol for a year (for calories and health reasons not for addiction ones) but with the exception of a sailing trip I will be taking in November and I'd give myself a "free pass" if there was a really good cocktail event. After 8 months of no drinking (except for a sip of a Caipirinha in Brazil and a couple of sips from friends' cocktails at new places- I have not had a "full glass" since January), I thought that the Boozy Tea would be a good "free pass."
In addition to trying to eat and drink better, I have been trying to spend time with people who lead their lives from a place of optimism versus cynicism. Those who see the glass (or tea cup) as half-full versus half-empty. Those who see themselves as the Captain of their lives versus a victim.
Like my collection of fitness DVDs that I hope will get me into shape through osmosis by sitting on my bookshelf, I hope that if I surround myself with quality, respectful people I can embody more of their positive spirit. I feel like the people we surround ourselves with are just as important as the air we breathe and the food and liquids we eat and drink. If you breathe in polluted air, day after day; your lungs will suffer from the pollution. So if I spend the majority of my time with healthy, upbeat, respectful people- my hope is that I will embody their healthy, upbeat attitudes as well.
Ms. Seminole Heights is one of those healthy, upbeat people. No, her life is not perfect (no one has a perfect life, well maybe Oprah?); but she is not bitter, in denial, angry or a crying victim. Or at least she doesn't appear so to me. I find her to be positive and optimistic, but level-headed as well. She sees the silver lining and the gray cloud - even-keeled I guess is how I see her. And I find our conversations very thought-provoking and emotionally nourishing.
I think it is good to step out of our own heads from time to time and see the world through another person's eyes. Sometimes the key to having a better relationship with our day to day world is just changing the perspective.
So on a gray Sunday afternoon, I met Ms. Seminole Heights at Anise Global Gastrobar for their first "Boozy Tea" event. In addition to the swank, chic surroundings - the staff working the "Boozy Tea" were in lovely dresses and hats. It was like a high end, fancy Alice in Wonderland tea party. It was the perfect touch of glamour.
We sat at the bar while the staff put the finishing touches on the table. The event would have four cocktails and a wide variety of savory and sweet edibles. Some of the food was set before us on a three tier tray and other items would be brought to our table throughout the tea. I felt very pampered by the very friendly and courteous waitstaff.
We started with Cocktail #1: "Mumm's Champagne Spritzer" - which I am renaming "Little Green Martian." It is matcha tea, starfruit juice, ginger and GH Mumm Cordon Rouge champagne.
 |
| Mumm's Champagne Spritzer |
Cocktail #1 was my favorite cocktail of the whole night. The starfruit juice really hit the spot.
Next, we were seated at our tables. Take a look at this amazing three tier tray of deliciousness! I have been to many terrific afternoon teas and sadly several not so good ones. The Boozy Tea at Anise Global Gastrobar had one of the best food selections and food quality of any tea I have attended. Everything was fresh and flavorful.
On the bottom tier, there was a smoked salmon pumpernickel crostini. The salmon had a nice smoky, briny flavor to it with a lush white sauce that tasted of creme fraiche and a sprig of fresh dill. It was fantastic. Next to it on a cucumber slice is a lovely, fresh and not overly mayonnaise-y Chicken Waldorf salad. At Anise, we not only had these plated appetizers, plus passed appetizers - but then they came back around several times with extras. I had more of the chicken salad because it was so tasty. There is also a cucumber sandwich with herbed cream cheese. It was very fresh, crisp and the cream cheese was extra rich and lush. (OK I had two of those too!) And next to the sandwiches was a cinnamon sugar palmier - crisp, sweet, flaky and delicious.
On the middle tier: a deviled egg topped with perfectly cooked lobster. Talk about luxury! Two more cinnamon sugar palmiers. Three zucchini parmesan mini madeleines (one of the best tasting items overall - and I did not say "no" when the waitstaff brought us another dish of five more madeleines hot out of the oven.) The combination of zucchini with aged Parmesan was fantastic. Then there was a huge seasonal fruit tart with pasty cream. The crust was buttery and delicious. The "creme patissiere" was light but velvety. The fruit fantastic.
On the top tier: blackberries, starfruit, chocolate dipped petit fours with jam filling and two of the moistest, most delicious blueberry scones. I usually do not like scones because they tend to be dry, flavorless and crumbly. But these scones were amazing - bright, big blueberries popping juicy deliciousness with each soft, moist bite. When the waitstaff came around with a platter of more scones, I had to physically restrain myself.
The chocolate on the petit fours was so amazing. I had to slow myself down to truly appreciate each chocolatey bite. So divinely good!
In addition to the plated appetizers. We were also given Rosemary Russian tea cookies. These were the perfect combination of savory and sweet.
And served on a soup spoon was a savory, complex tasting tomato bisque with a grilled cheese crouton. The grilled cheese crouton had an aged cheese flavor - perhaps Gouda?
The tomato bisque with grilled cheese crouton was my favorite. The zucchini parmesan madeleines my second favorite. OK seriously there wasn't a bad bite in the batch. I loved it all!!
Cocktail #2 was a Green Tea Sour - Jasmine Green Tea, Jameson whiskey and creme de peche. This drink was strong but good! I had to sip it very slowly! Anise Global Gastrobar may want to consider smaller versions of their cocktails for the next Boozy Tea, because I was feeling pretty boozy by drink #2 and I purposely didn't fully finish any of the cocktails. Bring a designated driver or call a taxi! Drink responsibly!
Cocktail #3 was my 2nd favorite which was a surprise. Now I am not the most sophisticated of people, so when the waitstaff put a tea cup with two little dried roses in it in front of me - I had a slight moment of social panic. What was I supposed to do with this?? Seriously I would be the girl drinking from the finger bowl at a fancy dinner party. Trust me, it would happen.
I decided not to do anything with the tea cup. And then the waitstaff came out with steaming pots and filled our dried rose tea cups. Ah-ha ... now it all made sense! Cocktail # 3 was a Rose Oolong Toddy.
Now I am not a big oolong fan nor am I a big hot toddy fan, but wow this drink was great. The fragrance was amazing. It contains rose oolong tea, Jameson black barrel and honey. It was smooth, soft and subtle. And it made my stomach feel like it was getting a gentle hug from Brad Pitt. Talk about a boozy, warm feeling!
Cocktail #4 wins for best looking drink of the Boozy Tea. If you're a regular LilyOnTheLam.com reader (or viewer of my Instagram account @LilyOnTheLam), you will know that I have been boba-crazy lately at Naga Tea, Latte Luna and Kaleisia Tea Lounge.
Well Cocktail #4 is Thai Tea - but with Thai Tea, Jameson Caskmates and black boba pearls. I think there was either Star Anise, Cardamom or Chinese Five Spice in it as well. It was lighter than traditional Thai Tea - which I appreciated. I hate when Thai Tea is too cloyingly sweet. But in true Lily fashion, I enjoyed slurping up the black boba tapioca pearls.
The Anise Global Gastrobar waitstaff came around with platters and platters of extras of each of the plated appetizers. No one left hungry. I was extremely happily satisfied with both the food and cocktails!
In addition to the quality food and high end cocktails, Ms. Seminole Heights and I had a quality conversation on many different topics - life, personal histories, shared philosophies, addiction, denial, personal growth ... Not only did our afternoon tea come with adult beverages, we shared interesting adult, intelligent conversation topics as well. It was the perfect way to spend a rainy Sunday afternoon.
I hope Anise Global Gastrobar does more events like this in the future. (Watch their Facebook page, where they post their events.) The quality and quantity of the food and cocktails was well worth the ticket price per person. It was a high-end, incredibly tasty spread. I enjoyed every single morsel.
And to top it off, at the end of the event we were given a tea cup and saucer and a gift bag. In the gift bag was either a chai soap or sugar face scrub. (Ms. Seminole Heights and I each received the chai soap) and a vanilla bean macaron with the most amazing chocolate filling (an Earl Grey ganache). Which I may have possibly greedily eaten on the drive home.
Regularly, Anise Global Gastrobar serves a wide variety of gourmet small plates. I love their steamed bao buns and their dessert sweet buns. But being a Midwesterner at heart, I also love their amazing Tater Tots.
If you're a regular LilyOnTheLam.com reader you will know that in one of my previous posts about "dueling Tater Tots" I chose Anise Global Gastrobar's tots over some pretty amazing Nashville tater tots. There is plenty of reason to check out Anise Global Gastrobar whether its for lunch, dinner or a special event like their Boozy Tea.
I am striving to see my world as a "tea cup half full" versus "tea cup half empty" place. The delicious cocktails and amazing food at Anise Global Gastrobar's Boozy Tea definitely filled my belly and soul with happiness. Thank you, Anise!
And to you all, as always, thank you for reading!
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