Tea for Two

Monday, Glen's meetings began with breakfast and would run the whole day.  I didn't mind as I had made plans to meet my good friend, Jennifer.  We connected10 years ago in Hawaii and our friendship has blossomed over the years so I was very excited to see her again.  She wanted to visit the Tattered Cover bookstore in LoDo so I headed there to meet her.

My first experience with this independent bookstore was eight years ago when Geoff and Melissa lived near Cherry Creek Mall.  That's where this premiere store had its beginnings in 1971.  In 1990, Tattered Cover bought an historic building in LoDo which has since expanded to 20,000 square feet.  In 2006, the Cherry Creek store closed and moved to Colfax Ave.  Jennifer had read it was the largest independent bookstore in the United States and the one in LoDo is huge.

Floor-to-ceiling bookshelves divide the two floors into nooks where comfy chairs or sofas allow one to read in peace.  Both Jennifer and I thought the store felt like an old library.  I unconsciously lowered my voice as we spoke and even a gaggle of kids (on a field trip) were not loud.  My only disappointment was that their beautiful central staircase was closed for repairs.

We headed up the 16 Street Mall as our next stop was tea at the Brown Palace hotel.  We arrived early so we could enjoy the ambiance of this beautiful old hotel.  Built in 1892 by Henry Brown, it has hosted almost every president beginning with Teddy Roosevelt in 1905.  Brown donated some of his land to build the State Capital then made his fortune selling the rest which allowed him to build a 'palace' hotel.

We went to the spa to buy some lip balm for Melissa and learned there was an apiary on the roof which provided the honey used in making their signature soaps and beauty products.  The hotel also has its own artesian well, 750 feet beneath the Ship Tavern.

Afternoon Tea begins at noon and Jennifer made reservations for 12:30 (it's a popular spot so call ahead if you wish to go).  The tea is set up in the lobby, an open atrium rising eight floors and lit by a lovely stained glass window.  Each floor has cast iron balconies overlooking the lobby.

We ordered Veuve Clicquot for Two which came with scones (and a bowl mounded high with clotted cream), tea sandwiches (open-faced cucumber were my favourite) and tiny pastries.  Veuve Clicquot is the best champagne I've tasted and could easily become my choice for New Year's.  We also drank Brown Palace Crown Jewel tea made of a blend of Assam and Ceylon leaves, served in silver teapots.  A special truffle finished the meal nicely.

Most patrons enjoying their teas and the soft piano music filling the lobby were dressed in flowery summer frocks but neither Jennifer nor I felt out of place in our blouses and pants.  One day, we'll do tea wearing fascinators and gloves but we felt elegant as we sipped our tea from fine bone china cups and used heavy silver utensils.

Jennifer and I parted after lunch but made plans for supper with our husbands.  We met at Rock Bottom Brewery and enjoyed a great evening together.  I had shrimp and lobster enchiladas and Red Ale while Glen enjoyed his steak with Rolle Bolle.  Neil had work that evening so we parted company after supper.