In this unceasingly rushed and often-harsh world, a place where one can go to refresh and recharge in a genteel, slow-paced environment is not only welcome, but, one might argue, a necessity for survival. And that’s what guests can find at Linwood’s Petals & Pours, a recently opened tearoom in the Central Square shopping center on Route 9.
Run by sisters Leila Karlsen and Roya Sedighi, Petals & Pours has been open for less than three months. It was, suggested Karlsen, a logical move for the pair who are no strangers to the shopping center where their business is located.
“I have owned Barista’s Coffee House next door for four years,” explained Karlsen, “and my sister and I worked there together. And when the opportunity came up to do something with this space, we decided, why not open an elegant, beautiful tearoom that’s sort of an escape from everyday life?
“We’ve always been really close; growing up we enjoyed having little tea parties at home. And when this opportunity came up, we thought, wouldn’t it be wonderful to create this elegant, beautiful escape for our community together?
“So, we dreamed this up and came up with the ambiance, the menu and everything. And it was really something we wanted to do as a labor of love, together as sisters.”
It’s not that the idea is revolutionary; tearooms have definitely gained popularity over the past few years. According to Karlsen, it’s a development that is easy to understand.
“I think that people are looking for an escape from their everyday [existence],” she reasoned. “It’s a crazy world we live in right now, with lots of schedules and routines and, you know, running around. We offer a chance to just escape all that, sit for a few hours, enjoy tea and enjoy that afternoon-tea experience at a leisurely pace.”
According to Sedighi, anyone planning a visit should disregard any notions they may have about what a tearoom is or does based on media portrayals of such establishments.
“We are not a traditional British tearoom,” she advised. “We are more of a modern tearoom. So, a lot of people come dressed up in hats and dresses, but then some people come dressed casually, and that’s fine too.
“Our [goal] is to give them top-notch service. We want to treat everyone like they’re coming to our home.”
The bill of fare is surprisingly voluminous. In addition to a wide variety of teas (some two dozen, not including seasonals), tea lattes and “mocktails,” there is an eclectic selection of light bites (including scones, deviled eggs and crostini) and desserts (in addition to dessert teas). Everything is available a la carte, but the specialty of the house is a combo featuring “savories” (tea sandwiches), “sweets” (mini-desserts and pastries) and scones. Also included is a pot of loose-leaf tea.
Due to the room’s intimate dimensions (just 11 tables), Karlsen recommended making reservations for the three-tier offering.
Although Petals & Pours is a paradise for connoisseurs, it can be somewhat daunting for those whose tea-drinking experience stops at the Lipton brand. But the sisters take great pleasure in helping novices navigate the menu.
“Some people just like a basic black tea, and I’ll usually recommend the Darjeeling or the Earl Gray for that,” said Karlsen. “Some people want to try something with a little more flavor; the really popular ones are Paris, which is like caramel-fruity, and we have a really great Earl Gray moonlight, which is Earl Gray [with a] French vanilla flavor. It’s kind of a creamy Earl Gray, even though it doesn’t have dairy in it.
“If someone wants to go with more of a dessert tea, we have a chocolate mint that’s really good. We have a blueberry-cinnamon crumble that’s a really nice dessert tea. We have some white teas and a really nice tropical green tea, which is like a pineapple green tea.
“And then some people want a caffeine-free herbal, which we offer in chamomile, mint and lemon verbena. My ultimate favorite is the Vanilla Almond Blossom, which is caffeine-free. It’s a rooibos — a vanilla almond blossom from South Africa. It tastes amazing; it doesn’t need anything added to it.”
While the teas and light fare are the stars, the environment the sisters have created is also key to the Petals & Pours experience. The establishment’s name is not random or arbitrary, but a harbinger of what awaits patrons.
“We are a floral-inspired tearoom with lots of pinks, whites and golds. And we enjoy wearing pink floral skirts and pink tops,” said Karlsen. “And our aprons fit that motif as well. We really like to dress the part.”
Not surprisingly, the salon’s demographics lean in a feminine direction. But, noted Sedighi, Petals & Pours doesn’t discriminate. “It’s mostly women, but we definitely welcome men, and we do have men come in and enjoy their time here.”
There were no men in attendance on a recent Wednesday afternoon, but there was a sizable group of women of a certain vintage from throughout the Delaware Valley and Shore region who collectively identified themselves as the “Fun Seekers.” One group member, Rita Taylor of Mays Landing, who clearly represented the feelings of her friends, was effusive in her praise of Petals & Pours.
“This store is amazing,” proclaimed Taylor. “We have never had anything this pretty, this classy, this extravagant in this part in our area. And we thank [Sedighi and Karlsen] so much for having it. It’s been a wonderful place for all of us to come to.”
For more, go to www.petalsandpourstea.com.
Chuck Darrow has spent more than 40 years writing about Atlantic City casinos.
