Urban Tea Loft Blog

The Official Best Tearoom in Arizona!

urbantealoft — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 07:10:54 +0000

Well who would have thunk it? The Urban Tea Loft named “The Official Best Tearoom in Arizona-2010.” You mean of all the tearooms in the entire state of Arizona, Media World chose us as the “official best!” When I got the news it was a little unreal. Channel 12, the Travel Channel, oh my! This will put The Urban Tea Loft on a national level! There are so many really good tearooms in Arizona. For us to be recognized in this way is not only an honor but very humbling. We will continue to strive to create a unique, nice customer experience. We hope to provide a relaxing atmosphere for you to enjoy a loved one, good book, home cooked meal and of course, our tea. Thank you for your support!. We know mostly everyone who walks through our doors (if not the 1st time, the 2nd for sure). You have become our family. Please know with us, you are welcomed home!

Be sure to watch “The Official Best of” June 26, 2010 on KPNX Channel 12 at 12:00. We are having a watch party at The Urban Tea Loft. Feel free to come and watch the show with us! It airs on The Travel Channel July 1, 2010 at 7:00 am EST.

I Still Can’t Believe It!

urbantealoft — Sat, 24 Apr 2010 02:18:00 +0000

The Urban Tea Loft

May 2010

I Still Can’t Believe it Happened to Me!

I was in complete and utter shock mixed with waves of emotion and denial. I sat there, Eric in front of me in a hypnotic state staring at the door. I knew I wouldn’t leave the bathroom the same person I was when I walked in. Yes, I was shocked, not at the thought of having a baby, but at the idea that someone, one day would call me “mommie, mama, mom”..whatever. Shocked that change was going to come whether I wanted it or not and quickly. Scared about how I would physically feel and the changes that would occur with my body.

Eric couldn’t believe my shock and awe reaction and It all seems silly now ten and a half years later. We were blessed with a happy, healthy, and beautifully funny child- Zhayer. She is on the Honor Roll, sings in The Phoenix Girls Choir and is auditioning in Los Angeles from time to time. Over the years, she has taught me many lessons: 1. Eric isn’t just MINE, he is hers also, her daddy, protector, playmate, chauffeur and friend. She reminds me daily that I am not perfect and shouldn’t expect her to be either. She knows it is ok to have a hair or two flying in the wind and that it’s okay to laugh at herself, loud and often. Thank God for Zhayer for she is a constant reminder of what was and what will be. The light at the end of a long day and the joy I am sure to have tomorrow. She has enriched our lives in so many ways and has made us better people. I now look at her shocked to think that I only have a measily 7 years left to have the greatest amount of influence in her life before she goes to college or thinks she can do what she wants without my input, consult, or approval. I remember how that was. Little does she know, there will never be a time in her life where I won’t provide all three. A mother’s love runs deep and is forever! Thank you Zhayer for giving me the wonderful opportunity to hear YOU call me Mommie with the deapest love and affection!

Happy Mother’s Day to all of You! Whether you have your own children or not, as women, we are all responsible for each others!

With love,

Glynis

Mother’s Day Celebration
Complete Mom’s Gift with Brunch

FOUR SEATINGS, ENDLESS MIMOSAS, GREAT FOOD

What more do you need? Seating times for Mother’s Day Brunch are 9:30, 11:00, 12:30, and 2:00. Live Music from 12:00-3:00 with String Theory. Reservations Recommended by calling 480.786.9600. S’morgeshboard of food items. Costs is $28 adults and $15 kids, 10 and under.

Enjoy our Mother’s Day Menu:

Baked Banana French Toast

Quiche

Crepes au Gratin

Maple Glazed Ham Steaks

Blueberry Ricotta Pancakes

Pancakes

Roasted Asparagus with Shallot Vinaigrette

Rosemary Potatoes

Peppered Bacon

Sausage

Scrambled Eggs

Fruit with Honey Sour Cream Sauce

Seasonal Salad

Chilled Strawberry Soup

Assorted Chef’s Pastries

Grilled Chicken Breast

Pork Shanks

Macaroni N Cheese

Grilled Ham and Cheese

PB & J

Chicken Fingers

Red Velvet Cake

Chantilly Swans

Praline Truffle Pyramids

May Events (Soul Food Weekends Again)

May 1- Live Music 6-9 pm- John Chapman Duo - Jazz
May 8- String Theory 6-9 pm
May 9- Mother’s Day Brunch, Live Music String Theory 12-3 pm
May 14- $5 TEA TASTING 6-7 pm (Must Register)
May 16- Teatini 101 Class, $25 (Must Register)
May 22- Live Music- Mood Indigo 6-9 pm
May 23- TEA 101 Class, $30 (Must Register)- Great Gift

Save 25%

Do you believe in the power of tea? Give Mom a tea Gift Basket for Mother’s Day. Teas from Spring Harvest are arriving daily. Save 25% on packaged teas and tea related merchandise (excludes Ingenuitea and Bodum 2 packs).

Also, save 20% on dinner or total brunch bill (excludes alcohol). Cannot be used during special events or holidays.

Offer Expires: June 1, 2010.

Cool tea drinks at Chandler’s Urban Tea Loft

urbantealoft — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 01:30:56 +0000

Cool tea drinks at Chandler’s Urban Tea Loft

As Posted in Phoenix Metromix.

Urban Tea Loft owner Glynis Legrand. (Credit: Catherine J. Jun/azcentral.com)

In my new mission to pursue healthier cocktailing options (which I expect will fade away next week sometime), I discovered a cool new reason to go to Chandler.

Yes, Chandler.

At the Urban Tea Loft, owners Glynis and Eric Legrand have developed a menu of (theoretically) good-for-you tea-tinis served in oversize martini glasses in a trendy, contemporary setting. In historic downtown Chandler, this intimate tea lounge and restaurant has a full bar, serves elegant entrees, and offers 11 drinks made with either tea or tea-flavored vodkas.

The chatty Glynis is often around and takes her mission of pairing people with the perfect teas seriously, asking after her guests and making sure that everyone has what they need, even if she’s got a server there to do the same thing. A student of the Specialty Tea Institute, on her way to becoming a certified kind of tea sommelier, she’s filled with recommendations for the right tea at the right time for the right reasons.

I recommend the Chai Tea-tini, which is rich, spicy and surprisingly strong, made with Voyant Chai Liquor, amaretto and Baileys Irish Cream. It’s the right tea at any time and I think the fact that I’m breathing is a good enough reason for such an indulgent, tasty drink. And I also love the Metropolitan Tea-tini, made with Grey Goose vodka, Grand Marnier and raspberry tea. They’re $7.50 each.

The Loft also hosts a fantastic happy hour from 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, with $5 teatinis and $2 off glass of wine, $2.50 beers and $2 off all appetizers.

As the drinks are stronger than you could guess, it’s good to know that the food menu includes all kinds of sandwiches, soups, pastries, salads and a rotating selection of entrees. And high teas can be had at any time, with selections ranging from a children’s tea to a protein sandwich tea to a cheese plate, whatever kind of high tea suits your personality.

Also good to know, the space has two private rooms available for rental, one a little party space with metallic quilted walls and a sweet stereo system and the other, a generous meeting room with all the latest presentation technology.

Urban Tea Loft: Monday-closed for private events, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. 11 W. Boston Street, Chandler, 480-786-9600, urbantealoft.com.

July 4th

urbantealoft — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 02:29:36 +0000

Want to let everyone know that we are closing at 4pm on the 4th of July. WE think you will be out grilling with family and friends. We will be open for breakfast and lunch though so come down and enjoy some Soul Food or our regular menu. Tell you what, if I were you, I’d let us do the cookin’ cause it’s going to be hot out. More than likely we’re having pulled pork and beans…pulled chicken even. We may even sell it by the pound to ya so the whole family can enjoy! Be responsible and remember we are celebrating our Independence. Come in next week for food and drink specials. Happy 4th!!

Who’s Blogging Who?

urbantealoft — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 02:22:27 +0000

	Valley Vibe

Valley Vibe

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Urban Tea Loft: Not Your Grandma’s Tea Party

Who says tea is just for old ladies in funny hats? This delightfully unexpected little joint in historic downtown Chandler is serving up a lot more than an old fashioned cup of tea. They’re open until 9pm most nights of the week with live music, distinguished dishes, and teatinis. With a happy hour of teatini specials, $2 off appetizers, $2.50 beers, $2 off wines by the glass and a menu that includes breakfast on Saturday and Sunday morning this place is sure to appeal to more than just tea lovers. But, who knows? One visit and you may be inspired to try their custom tea blending or even participate in their Tea 101 course.

Photo Courtesy: urbantealoft.com

Posted by Breezy at 8:35 AM

Special shout out to the Valley Vibe for blogging about us….deserved a reprint! Thank you!

Live Music

urbantealoft — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 02:09:57 +0000

I’ve got to tell you. Everytime i hear live music @ UTL it makes me smile. The atmosphere is so intinmate and there isn’t a bad seat in the house. If you want the music to serve as background, it does that for you. If you want it for sheer entertainment, done! The musicians we choose are very personable and some even take requests from the audience. Any given Saturday night at The Loft enjoy the music, eat great food and just be happy!. A new musician Brendon plays this weekend and his musical style is acoustic guitar. Some groups are regulars like Vandal Hancock and Mood Indigo. We are mixin’ it up!! Jazz, jazz guitars, and acoustical guitar. Oh my!

Got Gold?

urbantealoft — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 02:04:36 +0000

GOT GOLD?

The Urban Tea Loft

DATE: June 23, 2009
5:00-8:00 PM

MORE: Can You Use Extra Cash?
Clean out your jewelry box and turn unwanted gold into $$$. Your gold will be tested, weighed and payed in the same night. The appraiser can safely remove stones. Bring any gold (yellow,white) or even platinum and it doesn’t matter if it is broken!! Average payout Is $250 depending on the amount of gold you have. You will be shocked just how much money you have lying around!

The Urban Tea Loft

11 W. Boston Street Suite 2

Chandler, Arizona 85225

480-786-9600

Revised Father’s Day Menu

urbantealoft — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 03:12:49 +0000

Come join us at The Urban Tea Loft for a great and economical Father’s Day Brunch. Dad’s receive a free teatini of his choice!! Parties of 6 or more can reserve a PRIVATE ROOM.

Father’s Day Brunch Menu

Soup of the Day New England Clam Chowder 3.5 Cup 6 Bowl

Buttermilk Pancakes with your choice of bacon or sausage 8

French Toast stuffed with cream cheese and fresh berries 9

Legrand Breakfast served as two eggs and choice of bacon or sausage with fresh, sliced tomatoes on a bed of greens with toast 8

Egg and Cheese Croissant with Fresh Fruit served as two fried eggs topped with melted cheddar and provolone cheese, mayo, and sliced tomato on a fresh baked croissant 8.00 Add ham or bacon 8.75

Baked Rigatoni with Chicken, Italian Sausage, Peppers, Onions, four cheeses and a tomato cream sauce 11

Honey Bourbon Pork Chop served with candied carrots and mashed potatoes 12

Beer Battered Shrimp Po Boy served with your choice of side 11

Grilled Flat Iron Steak served with three eggs any style or baked potato 13

Bacon Wrapped Chicken Croissant served with choice of side 10

Saint Louis Styled Baby Back Ribs & Shrimp served with a baked potato and side salad 16

Urban Kids Brunch (for guests Aged 10 and Under Only)
Scrambled eggs with choice of bacon, sausage, ham and toast                   4.75
Two Buttermilk Pancakes served with ham, sausage or bacon                     5.50
French Toast with choice of bacon or sausage                               5.50
Chicken Salad Sandwich with choice of side                                5.75
Macaroni & Cheese                                                 4.50
PB&J, Carrots, Cukes, or Chips                                         4.50

Real Men Drink Tea…tinis!

urbantealoft — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 02:29:03 +0000

The Urban Tea Loft

JUNE IS NATIONAL ICED TEA MONTH

And we are celebrating! Perfect timing for the heat we’ve been experiencing here in Arizona. Come in for 20% off on all loose teas and have yours ICED or FROZEN. IF TEA IS PURCHASED AT THE SAME TIME A MEAL IS PURCHASED, YOU WILL RECEIVE 30% OFF TEA PURCHASE. Our Chai concentrate is excellent over ice with your choice of milk or soy. It has no caffeine and is even great for kids.Recipe:
Chai Rooibos Concentrate
Ice
Milk or Soy

Directions: Add ice to blender. Add one part Chai concentrate to 3 parts milk or soy. Blend to taste. Add whipped cream and fresh ground nutmeg. Enjoy this refreshing drink. Ice cream is optional as a replacement for ice.

Real Men Drink TEA…tinis!!
Make your reservations now for our Father’s Day Brunch. Have Dad grill out for dinner but join us for brunch! Private rooms available by reservation. Teatini specials all day. Here’s what we are serving:

Buttermilk Pancakes your choice of bacon or sausage links
Organic Fresh Strawberry / Peach Compote $9.00

Stuffed French Toast $9.00
Cream cheese / Fresh Berries

Seasonal Fresh Fruit Salad $8.00
Mom’s Bread Pudding / Sour Cream & Honey SauceUrban Salmon Salad $12.00
Pancetta Bacon / Five Herb Vinaigrette Dressing

Crab Quiche $10.00
Spicy Romesco Sauce / garnished with Fried Shoe String Sweet Potatoes

Grilled Flat Iron Steak with Loaded Baked Potato $14.00
Tomato Concassé / Peppercorn Hollandaise Sauce

Steak & Eggs

Grilled Flat Iron Steak w/3eggs any style $12.00

Surf & Turf $16.00
Saint Louis Baby Back Ribs w/Shrimp
Rosemary roasted potatoesBacon Wrapped Chicken Croissant
Served with Southern Potato Salad or Panzanella Salad $9.00

LIVE MUSIC SATURDAYS–EVERY SATURDAY FROM 6:30-9:30. HERE’S THE LINEUP! COME FOR DINNER!!6-6 MATT THORNTON, ACOUSTIC GUITAR AND VOCALS
6-13 HOPE CASSITY, ACOUSTIC GUITAR AND VOCALS
6-20 VANDAL HANCOCK JAZZ GUITARS
6-27 BRENDEN ACOUSTIC GUITAR AND VOCALS

STILL SERVING SOUL FOOD IN ADDITION TO OUR REGULAR MENU ON SATURDAYS!

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING LOCAL!!

THE URBAN TEA LOFT
11 W BOSTON STREET SUITE 2
CHANDLER, AZ 85225
480.786.9600

WWW.URBANTEALOFT.COM

Save 20/30%	SAVE 20% ON ANY LOOSE TEA OR TEA CONCENTRATE PURCHASE. SAVE 30% WHEN TEA IS PURCHASED AT THE SAME TIME A MEAL IS PURCHASED.
Offer Expires: June 30, 2009

Iced Tea

urbantealoft — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 02:25:57 +0000

So, June is National Iced Tea Month. Sounds just about right. But here in Arizona all Summer should be declared Iced Tea Season starting at the end of March. I LOVE ICED TEA! All flavors. There are so many interesting ways to have it, with or without mint, with flavored or simple syrups, with fruit, with fancy ice cubes and funny straws. It’s all good. I don’t think we experiment enough with the ways we have it. What could possible go wrong, right? WRONG! You can mess iced tea up just like you could hot tea. If you do not use the proper steeping times or water temperatures. If you know what they are you are better prepared for great tea. Now, some people are so anxious to drink their tea, they don’t let it cool down before drinking. It is best when you bring the tea to room temperature before you refrigerate it. Doing this will make your tea nice and clear…not cloudy. It all adds to the experience. Who says you can’t have that same relaxing feeling drinking iced tea that you have with hot tea?

How about frozen teas or tea smoothies for the summer. We are getting in matcha to do matcha lattes now. Matcha is the highest form of Japanese shade grown tea you can get. We serve it hot with soy or milk or water but we will do them as lattes for the summer. We are also getting into tea smoothies..so don’t just think hot tea this summer. Also, have you ever tried and iced Chai. Delicious. Get with the program and have some iced tea, frozen tea or tea lattes this Summer. See you soon at The Loft!