Meet Me in Paris
Edinburgh's Rose & Thistle Tea Club Hosts "Meet Me in Paris": A Delightful Afternoon of Accordion Melodies, Live Painting, and Elegant French Treats.
It was a cool, overcast day with a misty drizzle of rain. As the door opened, the maître d, Michael Christian, placed the wood sign on the sidewalk. Le Café du Jardin was now open to receive guests. A French flag was seen through the window, and it looked like an artist was setting up his easel. He was wearing a black beret and had just begun with the first brush stroke on the canvas. Thanks to our talented resident artist, Monsieur German Mejia, an original work of art was created by the end of the event. “
May we start with Croque Monsieur and hot tea?”
“Oui, Madame, and may I suggest spinach quiche followed by a chocolate truffle torte?”
The menu card also included cucumber sandwiches with dill and puff pastry parmesan stars. The fireplace flames danced as we heard traditional French music by Monsieur Jacob Herzog, a talented accordion musician. The music added flavor to the wonderful pastries. Naturally, conversations lingered over a cup of hot tea. Sharing tea with friends always warms the heart.
“Madame, when visiting Paris you must enjoy French macarons and classic crème brûlèe. "
There was a colorful tower of macarons. Each color had a different flavor. The crème brûlèe garnished with berries was next to the marble pastry slab with an array of fruit tarts, Versailles tea biscuits, French madeleines, chocolate torte, chocolate eclairs, and chocolate truffles.
There is a tradition of gift drawings. Three lucky winners select their surprise gift based on the description printed on the gift tag. Guests try to guess what the gift might be.
The Sparkle of France: To celebrate France’s gift to the world, this included French Champagne (pink rose ice) with chocolate truffles and a vintage silver wine coaster.
Life at the Château: For one who wishes to escape to the château, this gift offered Raspberry Chambord, liqueur glasses, linen hemstitch napkins, and a woven lavender wand.
The Versailles Surprise: This vintage item possessed a certain “je ne sais quoi” that would captivate the heart of any lady. Inside the box was a “Faberge” style porcelain egg hand painted in Limoges, France.
“Oh, how beautiful! but what is inside the egg?”
“Please, Madame, I cannot disclose what will be found inside the egg. This must remain the Versailles surprise unless the owner wishes to disclose.”
Monsieur Mejia completed a wonderful painting of the Eiffel Tower as it was time to say
"au revoir." Each guest departed with a lovely lavender sachet bag as a favor. Even though we
live in Edinburgh, our hearts were in Paris on this day. It is with pleasure that the Rose & Thistle
Tea Club of Edinburgh continues to offer such events.
Darlene Hancock, Aimee Hager, Joy Mannino, Patsy Mejia, and Fran Christian hosted the afternoon tea. Thanks also go out to Michael Christian and German Mejia for their support. The event is open to Edinburgh residents. If you would like to receive an invitation to the next event, please email edinburghteaclub@gmail.com.