A tea-riffic taste of Japan

Shalom be with you! The Sweet Shalom Tea Room, located at 8216 Erie St. in Sylvania.

Sweet Shalom Tea Room brings the Orient to Sylvania during June

by Meredith Harris

published June 6th 2007

A Japanese proverb states “If man has no tea in him, he is incapable of understanding truth and beauty.” Thanks to Sweet Shalom Tea Room, a tea void can be filled easily.

The Sweet Shalom Tea Room brings truth and beauty to the art of afternoon tea. Truth comes through the deep knowledge owners and dear friends Sara Velasquez and Chris Kruse share with their guests in the century and a half old farmhouse. Both owners, in need of some peace and rejuvenation after raising families and following career goals, decided to purchase the tea house in 1999. “Shalom,” the Hebrew word for peace, has become their mission: to provide sweet shalom to all their visitors through tea.

The Victorian atmosphere allows guests to take a trip back to the days when the real world stopped moving for afternoon tea.

Every month, a new theme inspires the afternoon festivities from the décor, presentations, menu, costumes, and of course, the tea. Visitors in June will experience a trip to Japan with Japanese Cherry Blossom Tea.

Japan is a major supplier to the green-tea world, and both owners gained vast insight into Japanese tea-time at Tea School affiliated with Tea Magazine owned by Pearl Dexter in Scotland, Conn. The school brings in internationallyknown tea masters to teach connoisseurs every aspect of tea from cultivating to blending to brewing.

“Tea is much like wine in that it is very complex,” said Kruse. Velasquez said the duo decided on the Japanese theme because “the Victorians were very interested in everything exotic...Everything from China and Japan fascinated them.”

Kimonos will adorn the servers as they dish up special Japanese tea delicacies like spicy soba noodles and tamango sushi (minus the raw fish, Velasquez said), and the signature cucumber sandwiches prepared from scratch by head chef and Velasquez’s daughter, Elizabeth. Sweet Shalom is a true family business. Kruse’s daughter Alyssa also occasionally helps to create the gourmet treats. Teas, cakes and plenty of tea-related products are also available for purchase. During June, Japanese cherry blossom tea is featured, accompanied by cherry blossom table settings and centerpieces.

The afternoon isn’t just about sipping tea with your pinky up. There will be a short lecture about the Victorian's tea culture and authentic Japanese costumes will be on display.

You cannot escape the house's charming veranda without feeling a fullness — physically, and intellectually. Sweet Shalom, indeed.

The Sweet Shalom Tea Room is located at 8216 Erie St. in Sylvania. 419-297-9919. Open Fridays and Saturdays, by reservation only. Two seatings at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.