A Glint of Magic at Sugar’s Tearoom

September 12, 2007
By: Mandy Boyle
Community News Correspondent

Quidditch. Muggle. Horcrux. All are words that have been added to our daily vocabularies thanks to author J.K. Rowling and her success with the Harry Potter series.
These literary works have created a world-wide phenomenon that came to its climax on the evening of July 20th with the release of the final book: Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows.  In celebration, Sugar’s Tearoom & Gift Shoppe held its first Harry Potter Tea, an enjoyable evening for all Potter fans.

As guests entered “Platform 9 3/4”, a Sorting Hat was placed on their heads, revealing their respective tables. Servers dressed as Hogwarts students and professors led the way into the enchanted haven swishing and flicking their glowing wands. Even the staff got into the act as they donned British accents and cloaks. The dining rooms transformed into fantastic scenes found in the world of witchcraft and wizardry. “The Sorting Ceremony was really creative,” said Kandace Keefer. “It really made seating fun.”

The Pink Rose Room became 4 Privet Drive, complete with dozens of owls and hundreds of Harry’s Hogwarts letters scattered across the room. The Gold Gazebo reflected
the grandeur of  Hogwarts’ Great Hall, complete with floating candles and abundant artwork. Visitors could also take a trip to the dungeons as the Cameo Cream Room transformed into the Potion’s classroom. Spiders, candles, and green glowing logs gave a mystical air to the usually classic dining area. Each table was stocked with golden “galleons” to be used to purchase items off of the Sugar’s trolley, which was filled with homemade milk chocolate frogs, sugared potions, and “butterbeer.”

“It created a really great atmosphere,” said Marisa Dadurka, Forty Fort. “You really felt like you were in Harry’s world.” The menu was no exception to Sugar’s spells, from a golden snitch with lettuce wings to an owl-shaped turkey tea sandwich. “A lot of time and effort went into the menu,” said Chef Gail Morris. “It turned out to be spectacular.” Courses included an assortment of scones, pumpkin spice tea, cucumber mousse, quiche, and an ice cream sundae that brought smiles to young wizards and old.

Following the meal, a truly magical experience,” said server Hannah Roman. “Everyone had such a great time.”

For information or reservations for the next feature tea, contact: Sugar’s Tearoom & Gift Shoppe, 1250 Wyoming Avenue, Forty Fort. 714-4832

By Stephanie DeBalko

 
Diamond City – Luzerne County’s FREE Entertainment Weekly – www.diamondcityweekly.com
VOL 3 #18 July 26^th – August 1^st 2007, page 32

POTS OF GOLD
Sugar’s Tearoom in Forty Fort pours on the sweetness
BY MARISSA PHILLIPS

Mention a tea house, and the mind tends to jump through scenarios involving pretentious Victorian women, strict manners, and not nearly enough food to constitute an actual meal.

Oh, and a lot of hats.

But as you step into Sugar’s Tearoom and Gift Shoppe, you can leave your preconceptions at the door.  You’ve entered a world of porcelain dolls, flowered hats, fine china, and delicate, ornate tea accessories; and while it may be intimidating for a first-timer, don’t allow some stereotype to lead you astray. Owner Cheryl Roman ensures that an experience at Sugar’s is always welcoming and casual, regardless of gender or level of refinement.

Located on Wyoming Avenue in Forty Fort, Sugar’s has been open for little more than a year and has already gained loyal regulars. There are no guests too young or too old to enjoy themselves.  While it’s become a popular meeting place for local members of the Red Hat Society, you can also find a group of teens on one end, while on another end there will be children snacking on hot chocolate and bagel bites while their parents sip exotic brews.

And with one look at the selection, it’s apparent that Roman knows her teas. She is the tea buyer for the business and has stocked Sugar’s with more than 70 varieties, including black, green, English favorites, caffeine free, organic, Oolong, white, fruit, herbal, and Rooibos tea.  There are commonly known selections available, such as Earl Grey and Chai, but those seeking something new can try a flavor such as Kyoto Cherry Rose, a popular flavored green tea.

There are also teas available with hand-tied flower blossoms, which bloom right inside the cup.  Roman makes sure to stay up to date with emerging trends and assures that “If people are asking for it, I seek it out.”

There’s more to Sugar’s than tea.  There are six meal options available, each catering to varying appetites.  At the lower end of the menu, you can get a variety of scones.  At the highest end, you get a variety of scones, soup, salad, five tea sandwiches, and a dessert.  Each option is served with an entire pot of tea.

There are three scones always offered; cinnamon and sugar, chocolate chip, and buttermilk, and a fourth which changes periodically.  There are also two soups and a spring mix salad available.  Eight types of tea sandwiches are offered, including salmon mousse, Hawaiian ham salad, and cucumber.  And last in line are the desserts, with options including ice cream, rice pudding, and “Sugar’s and Such” which is a mix of various cakes and cookies, and the choices change often.

And while it’s worth noting the freshness of the daily prepared baked goods, what makes the biggest impression is the artful presentation. The tea sandwiches can be easily mistaken for desserts, as the chicken salad is served on pink bread and topped off with a pink and green flower made of colored cream cheese.
 
And don’t worry about going home hungry “You don’t think it, but you really do get full,” said Roman. You’ll find at least one guest at each table taking home extras.

Besides the food, what also keeps guests engaged is the décor.  There are three dining rooms, each offering a different theme.  Guests can choose to enter the Gold Gazebo, Emerald Garden, or the Pink Rose.  There are also two private rooms upstairs: Cameo Cream, as well as a room set specifically for children’s parties.  Each room is adorned with Victorian portraits, lace curtains, flower wreaths, and numerous racks of colorful hats (available to guests during their stay).  In August, guests will be able to dine outdoors.  Roman assures that an experience at Sugars is one that anyone can enjoy, but warns that tea can sometimes be “intoxicating.”

Agreed.

Sugar’s Tearoom

1250 Wyoming Ave., Forty Fort 714-4832
Hours: Wed-Sat. 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.  Reservations recommended.
Extras:  Accepts major credit cards; wheelchair accessible; no smoking; private rooms and children’s parties available.

MUNCH BUNCH

TIMES LEADER
www.timeso-cc

What: Sugar’s Tea Room
Where: Wyoming Avenue, Forty Fort
Call: 570-714-4832
Credit cards: Yes
Handicapped accessible? Yes
Smoking/nonsmoking? Non-smoking

Sugar’s Tea Room a regal experience
By MT. MUNCH
Times Leader Food Critic

Feel free to choose a hat, the waitress invited as my friend and I settled into chairs at Sugar’s Tea Room in Forty Fort.  What a choice we had from the headgear hanging on the wall.

There were floral numbers that looked like something Grandmom might have sported decades ago, classic millinery reminiscent of Lauren Bacall’s adventures, a tiara and veil fit for a
bride and a little wreath that might delight a fairy sprite.  My friend passed on the dress-up option, but 1, having a more theatrical bent, gamely borrowed an upside-down flower pot of
finery the Queen Mum herself might wear to Wimbledon. This put me into such a British kind of mood that when I perused the 50-odd teas listed on the menu, I quickly chose a blend called “Buckingham Palace,” which was accented with notes of jasmine and Earl Grey.

Mmm.  That was doubly good, old chap.

A big tea fan, I was curious about many of the other flavors.  Grapefruit.  Hazelnut.  Maple.  Almond.  Peach cinnamon.  Kyoto cherry rose.  They all sounded heavenly, as did the chocolate mint tea my friend ordered.

“It smells like chocolate” she noted as the teapots arrived.

Then, sounding worried, she wondered aloud if her brew might be too strong. “Could we take the tea bags out?” she asked the waitress.

“We don’t use tea bags,” the waitress told her explaining that the staff steeps loose tea in hot water for 3 to 5 minutes, depending on the recommended time for each variety; and then strains it.

I found my beverage delightful, a regal accompaniment to a rather generous cinnamon scone.

The scone was delicious by itself, but our server brought raspberry preserves, lime curd and heavy whipped cream to make it even better.

Then there were the fancy little tea sandwiches - beautiful to look at and no doubt perfect for a day at the polo matches.  They consisted of pale, soft bread cut into a floral shape, apparently with a cookie cutter, and topped with such sandwich spreads as salmon salad, cucumber, olive with cream cheese and ham / pineapple salad.

My friend tried a scone studded with chocolate and peanut butter chips and some different sandwiches — including chicken salad and an unusual spread spiked with the flavors you’d typically find on a taco.

Complementing the perfectly gorgeous sandwich presentation were a strawberry; an orange slice and a purple flower on each of our plates.

“Can we eat the orchid?” my friend asked.

Giving my best Queen Mum-like nod, I assured my chum they were edible. But, oh dear, I fear, in retrospect it might not have been proper etiquette to eat the flowers. Still, I enjoyed eating the garnish, much like a filly at Ascot might have done.

For dessert my friend and I enjoyed a trio of tiny taste treats — banana cake, chocolate fudge and a lavender cookie topped with blue icing and a Johnny jump-up blossom.  Other choices to finish off the “light afternoon tea,” which cost $14 per person, would have been ice cream or rice pudding.

Tea drinkers may add salad, soup or both to their repast, for a few more dollars per person. And Sugar’s Tea Room teems with possibilities for all kinds of gatherings, especially small birthday and shower gatherings. There’s even an upstairs room filled with child-size fairy and princess costumes guaranteed to make little girls eyes light up.

“Everrbody should try this place at least once,” my friend remarked.

I agreed, as I slowly turned my headdress to the wall and returned to reality.  “If I ever want to play queen for the day” I mused to myself, “I know where to come.”