Song: Colors / Dance
Artist: George Winston
This morning...
we had our first snow of the season.
Although it was just a dusting of snow at home...
and soon melted a few hours later when the sun came back out...
whenever we have snow at home...
Pikes Peak has a lot more of it.
As the skies cleared up...
I decided I wanted to try a Chinese Tea House.
Pikes Peak on my way to Yellow Mountain Tea House...
in Colorado Springs.
I am in Woodland Park here.
The Yellow Mountain Tea House is in one of my favorite sections
of Colorado Springs.
It is in old town...
and it is just on the other side of Manitou Springs.
It is on a street that has many unique shops.
I love the atmosphere there.
It reminds me of Santa Cruz, CA...
as it has that new age vibe.
I loved the decor of this tea house.
They had a combination of Japanese style sunken floors underneath the tables...
and where you sit on cushions on the floor...
and they also had regular tables.
They have menus at the kitchen counter where you order your Dim Sum...
and you are then directed to their tea jars.
You just pick out your favored tea...
the whole jar...
and take it to your table.
This was my choice for my tea.
This was my table.
A Chinese tea ceremony is then performed right at your table.
The young lady who performed this was very nice...
and she explained what she was doing, and why.
She then picked up my tea jar...
and began scooping the tea by the large spoonful.
She must have put in 5 or 6 heaping spoonfuls.
She explained that since the steep time was short...
and of how the tea needed to be full flavored...
that this was the reason for the large amount of tea used.
After allowing but a minute for the tea to steep...
she then poured the tea into a strainer placed into my serving container.
My tea was ready.
The bowl of leaves contained these sweet dried leaves.
Instead of sugar...
you just place a leaf or two into your tea.
She had given me a leaf to put on my tongue.
It was sweet!
You can eat the leaf as well
(which I did...however...
my tea was just so perfect without sweetener...
I omitted those sweet leaves in my tea).
I readied my setting for the shortly to arrive Dim Sum.
You can see the large amount of tea in the steeper.
My first order of Dim Sum arrived.
I had forgotten to take pictures of my second order...
but they were very good.
Although the dumplings were slightly on the expensive side...
the restaurant delivered on taste...
customer service...
and overall vibe.
But the real star of the show was the delicious tea.
Although I am not a big tea drinker...
next time I go to this place...
I am going to buy a large amount of that Peppermint tea.
There was zero bitterness...
a slight hint of sweetness...
and the peppermint left a fresh and cool feeling in my mouth...
and down my throat.
As I sit at home typing this article...
many hours later...
I still feel the coolness every time I breathe.
It was...
by far...
the best tea I have ever had.
The young lady in the background was my tea ceremony performer.
She looked half Asian...
and by her demeanor...
it seems she was raised in a typical Asian household.
She had a kind way about her.
She knew that the customer was also paying for the ambiance...
and she had an old school Asian way about her.
She had a pleasant voice...
a nice smile...
beautiful half Asian eyes...
and while remaining professional...
she was also friendly.
I just loved my whole experience there.
And...
the tea ceremony with the tea of your choice...
was just $5.00.
They also sell bulk tea there.
I will be sure to get the peppermint tea next time.
They are also open from 10 AM to 9 PM everyday.
That is customer service.
The owner has a great business plan...
and their execution of it made for such a pleasant experience.
The staff had some good training.
There are so many restaurants I must try...
throughout Colorado Springs.
I was going home here...
after just leaving the restaurant.
That is part of Pikes Peak...
covered in clouds.
I was on my way to grocery shop in Woodland Park...
at Safeway...
on my way home.
I had such a great time at that tea house.
--------
But...
tomorrow is another restaurant exploration day.
As it will be Tuesday...
I will be going back to Maggie's to try another menu item.
I am thinking...
a big juicy steak.
Yes...
even after having already eaten...
I am already thinking of food.
As a man...
I can attest...
unless we are full...
our minds frequently drift to thinking about delicious meals
we are going to have in the future. :)
Yes...
life is so good.
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