More Tea with The Madre!…read more My mom and I always make it a point to go to tea whenever we're in the same state. This time, we visited Uniquely Yours Tea House in Hickory, PA. Upon arrival, the charming house and well-manicured landscaping set a welcoming tone. A sign at the end of the walkway requests that guests wait there or in their cars until their reservation time, which makes sense since the waiting area inside is a bit small. We were warmly greeted by the proprietor and led inside, where we were introduced to a unique tea selection process. Instead of a menu, guests choose their tea from a cabinet of jars. You open each jar to smell its contents and make your selection. While the jars were labeled, many labels were slightly smudged, and some jars weren't very fragrant, making the process a bit cumbersome. Personally, I would have preferred a traditional menu, but the owner seemed somewhat put off by this preference. Interestingly, both my mom and I chose the same tea, and our hostess chided us for lacking an adventurous spirit. That interaction was a little more than a bit off-putting, but we moved on to our table. The table settings were elegant, with matching teapots placed on stands heated by candles. However, while my mom's candle was lit, mine was not, and the hostess didn't light it upon serving. It seemed like an oversight that could have been easily avoided. We both enjoyed the black currant tea, which was delightful and definitely worth recommending. However, I noticed that the table was set with paper napkins that were thin and unimpressive. I definitely prefer cloth napkins, especially for tea. Given the overall ambiance, this detail seemed out of place--almost like using plastic forks at a fine dining experience. Moving on to the food, everything was beautifully presented and delicious. The grilled sandwich with provolone, spinach, and a herby spread was a standout, though wiping my hands on the thin napkin just highlighted the fact that it was not cloth. The Hawaiian chicken salad in a croissant was also excellent. However, the cucumber sandwich, served on raisin or craisin bread, overpowered the cucumbers and cream cheese with its strong flavor. But the portions were generous, so come hungry! The scone, a glazed lemon poppy seed, was moist and paired perfectly with Devonshire cream. The sweets were a highlight: a delicate cream horn with edible gold glaze, a summer berry cupcake, and a filled cookie with white chocolate and berry--each was as delicious as it was beautiful. Overall, while the tea and food were enjoyable, and the setting was lovely, the tea selection process and the use of paper napkins detracted from the experience for me. If you're a fan of tea, it's worth a visit, but be prepared for these quirks and go with an empty stomach!

My daughter surprised me for Mother's Day with a trip to Uniquely Yours Tea Room. It was so much…read morefun! We loved the food, the atmosphere, and the people! The facility is BEAUTIFUL! The staff was so kind, efficient, and courteous. The owner actually did a whole photo shoot for us! They had fun hats to wear for the guests, and a gift shop with very cool items. We loved every minute of our experience! I will cherish the memories of this day forever! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

What a great experience! Took my mom for Mother's Day, and we very much enjoyed it the tea,…read moresandwiches, pastries, and desserts were all delicious (especially the cucumber sandwiches and paninis)! And don't sleep on the bar/lounge area--we each got a complimentary mimosa or mocktail for Mother's Day, which were fantastic! They had a good selection of beer and other spirits as well. The ambiance here is top-notch; there are several spots that are perfect for photo ops! And I loved all of the wall and table decor the staff was very welcoming and friendly. I would definitely recommend coming here for a girls' day out or for drinks with friends!

Velvet Terrace is a locally owned business that offers a reservation-only "Hi! Tea"…read more Through their website, I made a reservation for my husband and me. The confirmation email said "Dress Code: Business Casual." Upon our arrival to the restaurant, two employees kindly greeted us. The business was on the top floor of a simple-looking building, but its interior was spacious and nicely decorated. The menu listed three types of teas: "Celebration Tea" with one tea, cucumber sandwich, choice of ciabatta sandwich, and two desserts; "Royal Tea" with two teas, two scones, cucumber sandwich, choice of ciabatta sandwich, two desserts, honey or opera cake, and mocktail/mimosa; and "Prince/Princess Tea" with PB&J or chicken sandwich, scone, dessert, and soda/mocktail. The tea menu listed a couple dozen teas, including white, green, oolong, black, chai, decaffeinated, and herbal. We ordered the Royal Tea, which cost $41.99 per person plus tax and tip. For my husband's and my teas, we chose the English Breakfast, Bombay Chai, Moroccan Mint, and Orange Spicy. The employee brought out pretty teapots with cups and spoons. I noticed her plastic gloves that made a crinkling noise and thought that she could skip wearing them. The teas came in bags and were not loose-leaf, but they still tasted very good. I liked that a tea timer for 3, 4, and 5 minutes was available. There were also sugar packets and honey sticks. The foods were placed on a three-tier stand, but their plates were brought out separately as courses over time. For the first course, the scones contained blueberry (5 stars) and I think lemon (4.5 stars), and they came with jam and lemon curd. I also received small butter biscuits (4.5 stars). For the second course, I rate the sandwiches of cucumber, chicken salad, and egg as 3 stars each. They had a large size and alright flavors. The third course consisted of tiramisu mousse (4 stars), strawberry mousse (4.5 stars), and Bourbon Creams Biscuits (4 stars). This Royal Tea also came with a super-chocolately cake (5 stars) and mocktails/mimosas, for which I chose flavors of guava (4.5 stars) and mango (4.5 stars).

Did you know you could have a flight of crêpes? I didn't either! But here you do! I had a craving…read morefor a dessert and this coffee shop appeared as I was driving and I did what any intelligent person would do, I pulled in The property was adorable and had some tables outside where you can enjoy your mocha with sunshine I'll have to come back to enjoy the coffee at which time I will write a new review about that. The owner told me that once a month there's a live music event and you can check social media to see the next date.

Cute coffee place in Mt. Lebanon with amazing crepes, coffee and sandwiches - been waiting 2 1/2…read moreyears to try this (work during the day and parking is tight) and today got the chance. The mocha coffee I absolutely loved. It was as of someone melted a big brick of bittersweet cocoa with some sugar and cream. Rich and earthy flavor, exactly how I like. The crepe was also impressive, with caramel and cream, powdered sugar and apple bits. The woman taking the order was very pleasant, and the people behind the counter thanked me as I left. Do yourself a favor and stop in if you can. Five stars.

This is such an amazing coffee shop. They have amazing lattes and great customer service. I got a…read morefunnel cake ice latte a couple of weeks ago and it was amazing. They also have a punch card to earn some $ off a new drink. It's also a cute little cozy coffee shop. You should definitely check it out!

I stopped by for a matcha latte and had a great experience. The staff member was friendly,…read moreprofessional, and very fast. The place is clean, cozy, and welcoming. Definitely a nice spot to enjoy a drink.

Desserts were very good. Staff was very pleasant! Awesome choices for flavors…read more Has the option to eat in but i took mine to Go.

This is such a cute and fun place! It is a bit overpriced (higher prices than many comparable…read morebakeries) but you also have a neat space to enjoy your goodies in and extended hours (some nights they are open until 10) so that outweighs the slightly higher cost. My favorite item I tried was their lemon bar. It had just the right combination of sweet and tart and the crust to filling ratio was also on point. I've also enjoyed their cookies, cinnamon rolls and cupcakes. I really enjoy that you can relax with a glass of wine and a baked good. not a combination that is possible at a lot of places. Service is friendly and accommodating. They answered questions and gave recommendations. This is a great spot for a date night or a girls get togehter.

I visited Coffee Etc. recently for an afternoon pick-me-up. Since this shop is close to my house,…read moreand everything they have is so good, it is one that I find myself coming back to time after time. Coffee Etc. is a locally-owned coffee shop located in the heart of Castle Shannon. It is near well-known places such as Ice Castle and just down the hill from Myrtle Elementary. They serve traditional and artisan coffees and teas, along with an extensive menu of breakfast and lunch items. There is always a selection of desserts and pastries on the counter as well. It is right along the T line, so it is easy to get to both by vehicle and public transit. There is not a private parking lot, but there are spaces along the street out front, as well as ample Street parking options around and behind the building. I have never had to park too far away when making a stop here, often securing a space right in front. The shop has both indoor and outdoor seating options. There are two-person and four-person tables that surround the front entrance. Inside, there are low-top tables, high-top tables and couches to choose from. On the weekends, it can be packed in here in terms of seating. I usually am able to find a table, but just be aware in case you are coming during a peak time! Overall, the vibe is a comfy and cozy cafe. It is warm, inviting, and makes you want to hang out for awhile. I always love the in-progress puzzle that sits at the counter where drinks are handed out. You can contribute a little bit to the work-in-progress in your idle moments waiting for your order to be ready. It is also fun to see what puzzle will be there the next time you visit. Something cool about this place is their dedication to their faith. They have free Bibles available for visitors, and they host different Bible studies and groups throughout the week. On this day, I visited around 1:45 PM on a Wednesday in September. It was not very busy, but there were other patrons in the shop. I took a moment to look at the monthly specials on the board outside, and made my way in to order a drink. The staff here are always so friendly and kind, and so it is no surprise that I was promptly greeted when entering. I was between a few of the drinks, but I ended up deciding on the Kettle Corn Iced Latte, since that is not a flavor you see everyday for coffees. As it was not busy at this time, I only waited a minute or so from the time I placed my order to when I had the drink in-hand. My drink was very good! I loved the unique flavor of the Kettle Corn, as I had never had that in a coffee before this latte. I truly have never had a bad drink or food item from here, and this visit was no different. They have so many different flavors and sauces to choose from, you will surely find one to your liking. I typically get one of the features/seasonal drinks, but you are able to customize any which way you want. Their breakfast sandwiches are amazing here, so I have to mention them in this review as well. I did not get one on this visit, but they are made-to-order and the quality is top-notch. There are several sandwiches on the menu, but you can also customize your own. I recommend getting the Chipotle Raspberry Jam on whatever sandwich you choose. It is wonderful! Plus, the sandwiches come with a little cookie as a sweet ending to your meal. The pricing here is on-par with what you would expect from a local coffee shop. I am usually spending between $6 and $7, depending on the size. I will typically get a custom sandwich, which starts at $7.50. It is not off-base with what you would expect for a local shop. I do feel the value is there, since everything is so tasty and the staff are so friendly and welcoming. I always love coming to Coffee Etc, and I highly recommend you give it a try if you are in the area or are thinking about stopping. The atmosphere, homemade sandwiches, variety of drinks, and the cozy vibes keep me coming back time and time again. Plus, they are always having new and seasonal drinks to try, so there will always be something different to enjoy.

First visit here as I had some time To burn between…read moreappointments and did not disappoint. Service was excellent and friendly. Coffee choices what you'd expect in a coffee shop but the food was great. I had the breakfast havarti guacamole sandwich and it was delicious. It's busy so be sure you are patient, eating outside, or taking to go. Highly recommend.

I reserved the Gathering Place and Tea House for my daughter in law's baby shower. Cyndi, the…read moreowner, is amazing. She was kind and helpful and incredibly easy to work with. The food and tea were exceptional and the service was impeccable. I could go and on as it is such an amazing place.

Attended a wedding. It was nice the loud music, which was held in the barn and the food/socializing…read morewas inside the house were separate. House was very elegant. Everything was very clean and quaint. There was a playroom for the kids which was nice. I'm considering coming back for tea in the wintertime just to experience it. The new Sarris factory tour is not far from here if you are looking to do something else while out that way.

Adding some flavor and caffeine to the Export area - Caleese is a welcome addition to this town…read morecenter!! Right off the walking trail and plenty of available parking, Caleese Coffee is a jolt of bright colors right from the storefront. Step inside and the modern finishes immediately invite you to a wonderful experience. The menus are big and bold with plenty of options and the staff does whatever they can to welcome you!! We grabbed a latte off the world menu - Pizzelle Latte... and then with the beauty of the displays, we grabbed a Smores Brownie from the front counter!! The drink was ready very quickly.. even on a busy day.. and the barista walked it over to our table inside. They do have a wonderful outdoor seating patio too!! You can tell this is a community spot... with a board of dog photos from the happiest customer on display! I love when a business enjoys their customers!!!

This location on the trail is SO fun and cute! The colors and theme are very clean and vibrant…read morefeeling. Inside it's pretty small with just a few tables and chairs and the counter where you order. The menu is limited at the trail location compared to their main location. They serve multiple drinks as well as some baked goods and bagels. The Aloha latte was very yummy with tropical flavors from the macadamia and coconut. The Pink lady was not what I was expecting, but was essentially a club soda with some cherry and raspberry juice and a slight sweetness added. Very pretty drink but not much to it. The outside has a darling seating area which would be lovely with nice weather. They do also sell cute merch like hats and tote bags. Very cute spot with different and fun drinks!