The T Room

An Exotic and Kid-friendly Restaurant!

by Jill Weinlein

Strolling down the charming main section of Honolulu Ave. in Montrose, one feels they are in another city or state. There are few chains other than a coffee store and banks. Most shops are unique mom-n-pop types. A toy store, pet shop and bookstore caught our eye, as did The T Room. Peeking inside, we saw women with flowered hats, moms with daughters, and girlfriends sipping tea from china cups while nibbling on finger sandwiches and colorful salads.

My eleven-year-old daughter thought it would be a fun dining experience, so we walked in and fortunately found a table for two available.

The owner, Esmeralda Khachatrian greeted us like special friends in her home. Looking over the menu, we noticed over 40 types of teas from around the world. This is an opportunity to try teas from Africa, the Middle East, Russia, China, Japan, India, Sri-Lanka, and England to name a few. Some exotic blends that caught my eye were the Coconut Vanilla and the Peach Melba teas. All can be brewed and poured over ice for a refreshing thirst quencher during the warm summer months.

We chose the Traditional Afternoon High Tea served on a three-tiered stand with a pot of tea. My daughter's eyes sparkled as Esmeralda described the bottom tier filled with Linginberry chicken, Norwegian salmon, smoked egg salad and English cucumber finger sandwiches. The next tier offered homemade scones with Devonshire cream and fresh strawberry preserves. The upper tier was an assortment of cookies and fresh grapes.

For those wanting something smaller, the menu offers nine unique sandwiches (from $7.99 to $10.99) including red caviar pinwheels on lavash bread. There are four interesting salads. The fruity Waldorf salad with dried cranberries, watercress, sliced apples, celery and grapes, was light, crunchy, and satisfying. This kid-friendly restaurant caters to little ones with its Afternoon Tea for Prince and Princesses for $16.99 (perfect for birthday parties). Your royal highness can dine on three-tiered plates of egg salad, English cucumber, Chocohaze (chocolate and hazelnut spread), and peanut butter and jelly finger sandwiches. The second tier features scones with Devonshire cream and fruit preserves. The top tier offers an assortment of cookies and fruit to top off the royal feast.

All items are prepared fresh daily and outdoor seating is available in the back patio. So sit back in a comfy chair, sip a cup of tea, and indulge on tasty treats. Hours are from 10 am to 6 pm Monday through Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 4pm. For reservations call (818) 249-6677. The T Room is located at 2405 Honolulu Ave., Montrose.