Teatime in the Park, or More Slides from our Extended Vacation
I suppose it would be fair to ask the question--does the Gunther Family ever stop taking Tea?
The answer, at least here in San Francisco, would be a resounding "No!"
As we eyed the rustic tea house in the heart of Golden Gate Park's Japanese Tea Garden yesterday, Agnes sensibly reminded the others, "We have two thermoses full of tea and a box of Teddy Grahams in the stroller." She was right of course, but those wooden benches and handle-less cups were calling me, and, besides, when would we be back there again?
A kimono-clad waitress came to take our order, offering a choice of green tea, jasmine, or oolong. Not being a connoisseur of anything other than our usual Barry's or Twinings, I asked her which she recommended for children, to which she replied, "Hot chocolate."
This was a reasonable suggestion, but I wanted the little ones to have a Japanese Tea Garden experience, so, over Patrick's cries for hot chocolate, I ordered green tea for seven. It was a breezy bay day, with a chilling mist in the air, and the piping hot tea hit the spot, particularly when paired with almond and sesame cookies, spicy snack crackers, and fortune cookies with the usual upbeat predictions, "A financial investment will yield returns beyond your hopes" and "Good news will come to you from far away."
Back in college, I remember going to Benihana Restaurant with a group of friends. One of the girls requested fortune cookies to cap off the Teriyaki, and our server laughed outright, declaring, "Fortune Cookies are Chinese--this is a Japanese Restaurant!" She received quite a bit of good-natured ribbing from the rest of us after that, but I plan on calling her up one of these days to let her know she was not all wrong. Between sips and nibbles, Agnes informed us that the founder of San Francisco's Tea Garden, a wealthy Japanese landscaper, is purported to have invented the Fortune Cookie right in that very spot. The idea was later embraced by Chinese Restaurants, but its origins are pure American Japanese!
Here I am perched on the Drum Bridge with Marie--please note the steep sides and my death grip on the rail! Is it any wonder I left the baby with Agnes while crossing it?
We have modest tea gardens at home, but nothing at all like this five acre pagoda and pond-filled oasis.
The children especially loved watching koi and crawfish in the ponds, begging to return on a sunny day. (So much for the question, "When would we be back there again?")
The Japanese Tea Garden is yet another jewel in San Francisco's many faceted crown!
Oh that looks gorgeous. That sounds like a perfectly wonderful afternoon. What a treat to have tea in such a beautiful location.
Posted by: Jennifer | July 27, 2007 at 02:01 PM
Sigh. I miss SF. I lived there for 3 years and it's my dh's hometown.
Posted by: Lorri | July 27, 2007 at 04:21 PM
I have fond memories of taking tea in the Japanese Tea Garden in SF when I was there on vacation with my family, way back when I was in high school. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.
Posted by: MelanieB | July 27, 2007 at 04:21 PM
Okay I know this post was not for me, but thank you xoxoxox Clarice
Posted by: clarice | July 27, 2007 at 05:08 PM
Oh Alice, I am in awe of all the wonderful experiences and memories you and your family is having. How fun.
Posted by: Theresa ♥ | July 27, 2007 at 06:41 PM
I love the Japanese Tea Garden!
Posted by: Mariposa | July 27, 2007 at 09:45 PM
These pictures are unbelievably gorgeous - I know am YEARNING to go to San Francisco!
Posted by: Beck | July 27, 2007 at 11:59 PM
Neat!
Posted by: Claire | July 28, 2007 at 05:08 AM
That does it! We're going to San Francisco, and you're going to write our itinerary!
Posted by: Jeannine | July 28, 2007 at 11:31 AM
Alice, you are doing a wonderful job of promoting San Francisco as a tourist destination. After reading your blog, I would love to visit!
Posted by: Kathryn | July 29, 2007 at 04:02 PM
It's so pretty!
Posted by: Mary Ellen Barrett | July 30, 2007 at 04:57 PM
Alice -- we had such a blast hanging at the Gardens when we were little! I was so scared of that circle bridge and couldn't drink the tea -- but it was the ONLY way to get the fortune cookies. How I wish I could take y'all around to some of our old haunts!
Posted by: Mary G. | August 06, 2007 at 06:59 PM
I have always meant to get over there............love the photos..........can't wait to see it in person!
Posted by: Chari | August 07, 2007 at 02:13 AM