PHOTO: An earlier tea at Brindille, which holds another, this one marking Valentine’s Day, on Feb. 12. | PAUL STRABBING PHOTO
Why limit the love of Valentine’s Day to one day when you can be celebrating it all weekend long?
And here’s what sounds like the perfect kick-off: a Valentine’s Tea at Chicago’s Brindille (534 N. Clark) beginning at 2 p.m. Feb. 12.
This is also the perfect alternative for someone who doesn’t want all the mushy stuff of Valentine’s Day, but still wants to mark the holiday.
Valentine’s Day has always played had a special place in Brindille chef/co-owner Carrie Nahabedian’s family. Because of that, special touches from their family will be part of the tea.
Sister Cathy Miller’s personal collection of vintage Valentine’s will fill display cases. Some of the family’s Valentine’s Day-inspired decorations will be set up in the bar. Nahabedian’s Aunt May was born on Valentine’s Day and had quite a collection of holiday-themed mementos that went to family members when she died, and those will be there to see too.
What a lovely menu awaits those in attendance. The meal begins with Mosque D’Provance French Pumpkin Soup that will be topped with a crema foam accented with cinnamon and apple cider. It will be teamed with crumpets and scones.
Of course there will be petite sandwiches — it couldn’t be tea without them, right? There will be five different types including a nasturium, Roquefort, Black Mission figs, port and Japanese pear apple chip filling between Medjool date and foraged black walnut bread.
The pastries, too, sound delightful and include strawberry and lavender tarts, dragon fruit cheesecake and orange blossom macarons. There’ll also be favors of berries marshmallow. Yum.
And don’t let me forget the teas! Thirteen Reserve Teas reflecting the winter and early spring seasons will be featured. It’s $60 a person; make reservations by emailing info@brindille-chicago.com or calling the River North restaurant at (312) 595-1616.
