Tea Related Questions
Tea Related Questions
How do you brew a perfect pot of tea?
Fill the kettle with COLD TAP water. Cold water has more oxygen and will create a livelier pot of tea. Put the kettle on to boil. Fill the teapot with warm tap water. Allow water to warm teapot for a few minutes. Then pour out the water. A warm teapot helps keep the water hot so the tea will brew properly. Use High Quality Loose Leaf tea like the tea available at Shady Gables. Use one level teaspoon of tea leaves per cup of boiling water. Place the tea leaves into a tea filter. Place the filter into the teapot. When the water in the kettle comes to a boil, immediately pour boiling water into the teapot. If water has not first come to a boil or the temperature drops, even slightly before adding to the teapot, the brewed tea will be weak and tasteless. Put the lid on the teapot. Cover with a tea cozy and let brew for 3 to 7 minutes. At Shady Gables we brew our tea for 4 minutes. Remove the tea filter with the tea leaves. Stir the brewed tea in the teapot. Serve and enjoy! Replace the tea cozy over the teapot to keep the tea piping hot! *For Green tea, allow water to cool slightly, as boiling water will “cook” the unfermented leaves of green tea.
Questions Regarding Reservations
What information do you require when taking a reservation?
When you call to make a reservation we take your name, phone number, the number of people in your party, and the meal you would like to be served. We may also ask you if you are celebrating any special occasion. Please, let us know about any birthdays, anniversaries, bridal/baby showers, etc. so that we may do our best to make the occasion as special as possible! (Our Tea Room Menu and Tea Selection links can be found along the top of the page.)
How far in advance do I need to make a reservation?
Of course, we never know for sure how quickly any particular date will fill up. Saturdays are typically the busiest days of the week, which at certain times of the year can be completely booked many weeks in advance. Most of the time, however, one to two weeks in advance is a good time to make your reservation.
Is it possible to book a large party at Shady Gables?
Yes, it is! We can accommodate up to approximately 40 people at a time. Keep in mind that a reservation for a large party requires much advance notice to ensure that we have available seating and plenty of food. Many times we will require a non-refundable deposit that will be deducted from your final bill. This deposit is applied at our discretion depending on the party size, day of the week, etc. It is important that we have a final count at least 24 hours before the time of your party as we do begin food preparation early each morning. We do also include tax and gratuity with the meal prices for large groups to make things easier for both parties. We would love to host your next Baby/Bridal Shower, Birthday Party, Retirement Party, or any Special Event!