Drinking Tea in Plano

When we were in Plano, TX, I visited with Denise Brady (better known as Nee Nee), owner of Nee Nee's Tea Room.  It is a family place, with pictures of Nee Nee's grandchildren up on the wall.  Denise has built the business from the ground up over the last four years.

She creates all her own recipes, and is most well known for her chicken salad and her scones.  We sampled a scone.  It was tender and delicious.

Her goal: Delighting tea drinkers.

The evidence: Her favorite tea pot.  It is actually a music box that plays when the pot is lifted to pour.  She holds down the button when she delivers the pot to the table so as not to spoil the surprise.

Why does Denise love tea?  She says, "I have always loved the experience of the tea room.  It is fun.  I never experienced loose leaf teas before I first visited a tea room."

She now serves loose leaf tea from Sterling Tea, a local producer of hand-blended teas.  She also serves Stash teas.  

Drinking Tea In Plano

Yesterday, I was in Plano, Texas, where I stopped in at the Into My Garden Tearoom for a quick pot of Earl Gray (they do Stash teas).  I was able to visit with one of the co-owners, Jennifer Minor, who showed me her two favorite teapots.  They both had an Alice in Wonderland Theme.

  Since last October, Jennifer has introduced Alice in Wonderland tea parties in the tea room.

Why does she love tea?  Jennifer says, "I love tea.  I don't really like coffee, but I like how the coffee culture lets you slow down.  Tea can do the same thing.  I discovered English Breakfast and went from there."