Message: | For all you tea lovers, Le Jardin du Thé opened about a month ago in the Long Beach Marketplace, at PCH & 2nd Street. It's like a Parisian tea salon. Decor is light and bright, with dark wood shelves holding the tea canisters. There are at least two dozen different teas on the menu, and the owner will come around with little samples so that you can test the aroma of each before ordering. My friend and I shared two salads, one with smoked salmon, and other chèvre and walnuts. The only drawback was that they only offered a raspberry vinaigrette or oil and vinegar. Salads were good, fresh, and plenty for lunch, and the bread likewise. There were sandwiches on the menu also, including croque monsieur (and madame), and the pastries looked wonderful. I will leave the pastry sampling to one whose not calorically challenged as I am.
They are currently offering light suppers with chamber music on weekend evenings, and are planning to stay open til 10:00 (late for this little center). They also have a nice patio area, although not all of the tables overlook the lake and lawn in the center of this complex. Still a pleasant alternative.
Bottom line is we liked it enough to go back and give it another try this week. |