While I was visiting my sister and brother-in-law this weekend, we started discussing this blog – and my sister said, “You need to write about something other than France!”
Yes, I’ll admit, France has occupied most of this space lately. So in honor of my sister’s request, here’s the first of my reports from Colorado.
On Saturday, we had a sisterly day that started with sessions at the spa, and continued with tea at the Brown Palace Hotel. Tea is served in the impressive lobby atrium beneath eight floors of balconies and a stained glass ceiling.
We had the Royal Palace tea, which comes with a Kir Royale (or champagne) and a three-tiered stand with scones, sandwiches, and pastries.
The scones – plain and pumpkin toffee – were warm and buttery and wonderful, especially when slathered in Devonshire cream and strawberry jam. With it I had the Brown Palace “Crown Jewel” tea, a blend of Assam and Ceylon with great flavor, no milk or sugar needed.
Tea at the Brown Palace is a fun experience – sipping tea in that grand lobby made me feel that I was in 1890s Denver, and I could imagine horses and wagons and cowboys and prospectors on the street outside.
Oatmeal chocolate chunk cookies
Chocolate bark
French Laundry “Coffee” (no Donuts)
Jellies
It's cause I was jealous of your France trip! But yay for Denver!
Tea at the Brown Palace is a little slice of heaven on earth. About 30 years ago I use to work downtown. I remember seeing the stately looking doorman and decided to take a peak. The atrium where tea is held, is done in what I believe to be a rose wood. The wood gives off a twilight glow regardless of the time of day. It’s incredibly soothing. Over the years I have enjoyed tea there. The food and service is impeccable. A couple of years ago my husband took me for my birthday. At the table next to us was a group of 6 women, beautifully dressed in business attire and from out of town. I discreetly asked the staff for their check. When the ladies realized I had paid for their lunch they each came over to say thank you. My husband simply explained that it was my birthday present to myself. What I didn’t realize was that one of the women had gone over to the pianist and requested he play Happy Birthday while she sang. She had an amazing voice and while she sang everyone in the atrium joined in. Needless to say I was in tears. What started out as a present for them turned into one of the most precious gifts I’ve ever received. If you haven’t been for Tea at the Brown Palace go. Magic happens there.
What a lovely story, Joyce! Sounds like a fabulous birthday!