Albuquerque's Hidden Gem

THERE'S ALWAYS TIME FOR A CUP OF TEA

The St James Tearoom is a unique, British experience in the heart of Albuquerque. It was created in 1999. The tearoom focuses on and delivers quality service each day, welcoming guests for almost 25 years. The St. James Tearoom serves guests its three-course traditional Afternoon Tea experience in an elegant, private parlor setting. Group dining events, birthdays, showers, anniversaries, and business meetings are all welcome. So be forewarned: this hidden gem has become quite popular, and reservations are required well in advance. 

Our usual route from Minnesota to AZ takes us by Albuquerque. Having a tea date was a rare treat and an opportunity for me to meet Bobbi Jean Bell in person. She and her husband Jim have an impressive resume. They host an online podcast every Thursday, LA Talk Radio Rendezvous With A Writer, where readers and writers meet, and a story is everything. Since August 2022, they have interviewed guest authors, poets, screenwriters, and songwriters about their newest work and insights into their creative processes. The Bells own an online store called OutWest Shop, where they sell fine Western goods. They can be found on a community radio KUPRLP FM out of New Mexico, where they share their vast knowledge of Western music, poetry, prose, Western Swing, Cowboy Country, and more ...  

Blue Cottage Agency in Brainerd sponsors a monthly Zoom get-together for authors and writers. It was here that I met Bobbi Jean and Jim Bell. So my visit to the tearoom was extra special, meeting her in a totally different setting. Bobbi Jean has 50 years of retail expereince, so this job is a perfect fit for her. Among her many jobs at the tearoom is greeting guests and working in their retail shop.

My husband was "a good sport " buying into the tea expereince, and the staff couldn't have been more welcoming to us. This was our server, Abigail, who provided us with fantastic service. 

The Victorian tea parlor was divided into several areas for guests' privacy. Each curtain section was different as well as the seating inside.

 

The personalization, attention to detail, and service was quite noteworthy.

Several types of tea were available for guests' enjoyment..  And Bobbi Jean found a bit of time to chat with us and serve us some Black Tea. 

The three tiers of finger foods were artfully arranged and quite tasty.

Tier One Savory Finger Foods 

Bombay Chicken and potato skewer, apricot baked brie, meatloaf sandwich, Mandarin orange vinaigrette salad and cucumber tea sandwich  

Tier Two 

Japanese Ube Milk Bread, cream scone, blood orange curd, and clotted cream

Tier Three Finger Foods

Mocha Hazelnut Dacquoise, Italian Rum Panna Cotta with Salted Caramel, Rhubarb Gooseberry Tart  

And all these delectable foods and teas were served on delicate-looking china plates and cups, available for purchase.  

Besides a lot of tea-related items, the retail shop has a cozy book nook. Bobbi Jean suggested a cozy mystery series called The Wisteria series, which was inspired by the St. James Tearoom.  I chose Book One of the Eight Wisteria Tearoom Mysteries, "A Fatal Twist of Lemon."  

 

 

A little-known fact about Bobbi Jean. At the end of our visit, I gifted her with a tea towel with many images of Minnesota destinations. When I asked her if she knew anything about Minnesota, she replied, "Of course, I was born in Minneapolis, then my family moved to New Jersey."

Now that was a surprising fact to hear.   

If ever traveling out west, be sure to make a stop at St. James Tearoom in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Be prepared for an enjoyable two hours.