When all the stars align to create a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, it may be a Bermuda Triangle. Or, it may be a godsend.
For the owners of the Tillamook Coast’s only tea house, La Tea Da, it was definitely the latter.
Glenda Tonski owns the tea house with her daughter, Belinda Williams.
The mother/daughter duo took over the Tillamook teahouse at the first of the year. They share the duties of running La Tea Da, with Glenda in the kitchen and Belinda greeting guests and running the Gift Shoppe.
“When people walk in the door, they are walking into an English garden tea room,” Belinda said. “Tea rooms have different looks and feels and ours is an English garden.”
On any given afternoon, the tea room is packed – making reservations a must if you plan to get in here.
Always popular is the La Tea Da High Tea – a towering platter of delectable finger foods each more delicious then the next. From sweet and savory scones smothered in Devonshire cream to dainty desserts, the High Tea is a traditional tea-time experience that begins with a hot brewed pot of tea and a taste of chilled sorbet to cleanse your pallet. Then, enjoy three tiers of tea sandwiches, a mix of savories and sweets, and handcrafted desserts.
Also on the lunch menu are daily soups, salads and full-sized tea sandwiches made with fresh, mouthwatering ingredients.
“I think people are often surprised by the quality and quantity of our food,” Belinda said.
“Especially our gentlemen guests who didn’t realize when they walked through the door how hearty and filling our lunch specials can be.”
Also surprising is how they’ve been able to integrate their teas into nearly every item that comes out of the kitchen.
“We do a lot of cooking with our teas, and will probably never stop learning how to use teas in new ways,” Glenda said.
“Tea is where our passion is,” added Belinda. “We’ve refocused the Gift Shoppe to be much more tea-centric.” From tea pots to place settings, Belinda said, “If you’re hosting your own tea party, you can come in here and find everything you need.”
La Tea Da is an Oregon Coast destination, there’s no question about it.
“People who love tea will look up the nearest tea room while they’re traveling,” said Belinda. “And if you’re on the Oregon Coast we are it.”
They also have guests who travel to the Tillamook Coast just for a trip to the tea room.
“We’ve had people in from Vancouver and Eugene, and even people who have visited tea rooms in Victoria British Columbia or London and say that our food is better and the experience is more fun.”
