This Mother’s Day, show your mom you care by taking her out for something sweet. An elegant afternoon of tea and pastry is sure to delight her. Here are some of greater Portland’s finest venues for high tea and dessert.
The Heathman Hotel
The Tea Court Lounge at the Heathman offers a lovely Sunday afternoon tea; on Mother’s Day, seating is at 3 pm. The traditional tea ($32) offers tiers of organic banana bread, buttermilk scones with jam, pastries like lemon tarts and chocolate mousse cups, housemade marshmallows and savories. Accompany your treats with black, green, herbal or scented tea from Fonte Coffee & Tea Co. Reservations are required.
1001 SW Broadway, Portland, 503-790-7752
Jade Teahouse
This charming Sellwood teahouse offers a Vietnamese take on tea and pastry. Jade’s house-brand tea menu includes an extensive list of black, green, white, flavored, pu-erh and herbal teas. You and your mom can relax with a pot of Yoga Blend (honeybush ginger, cinnamon, fennel and nettles) or high-grade Japanese sencha. Before you sit down, try to snag some of Jade’s red velvet whoopie pies, or go gluten free with colorful tapioca rice cakes and coconut sponge cakes. Note: Jade is closed on Sundays, so you can extend your Mother’s Day celebration to the preceding Saturday. Reservations are not accepted, and pastries are first come, first served.
7912 SE 13th Ave., Portland, 503-477-8985
Medley Tea House Café
This year-old teahouse, which boasts over 55 kinds of tea, caters to special diets like vegan and gluten free. Afternoon tea is served from 2 to 5 pm. Make a reservation and you’ll be treated to a special Mother’s Day platter with “yummy desserts and baked goodies,” according to Medley employee Kayla Reich. Satisfy your mom’s sweet tooth with a “Sweet Tea Time Platter” ($17.50 not including tea) or a plate of Marsee Bakery scones with sweet cream and preserves. Medley’s tea menu, with its many floral selections, is just as tempting as the pastries. Indulge in a ceramic pot of chamomile lavender, rose petal black or Mt. Hood Sunrise marigold-cornflower tea. “We’ll be sure to take care of your mom,” says Reich. Reservations recommended.
7881 SW Capitol Hwy., Multnomah Village, 503-972-3316
Lady Di’s British Store & Tea Room
For an authentic high tea, head over to Lady Di’s. Owner Moya Stevens says, “We always make it nice for the mothers; we might add a chocolate or put roses on the table.” A Devon cream tea includes two scones with cream and strawberry jam and a pot of tea, of which there are more than 20 varieties. The dessert plate for two is piled high with tarts, cakes and cookies. You can also opt for the traditional afternoon tea ($18), which comes with scones, tea sandwiches and desserts. Note: Lady Di’s is closed on Sundays, so you can treat your mother on Saturday, May 10. Reservations recommended.
430 2nd St., Lake Oswego, 503-635-7298
Papa Haydn
While Papa Haydn doesn’t serve a classic afternoon tea, no discussion of Portland sweets is complete without this well- known dessert café. Executive pastry chef Risa Mealus creates more than 40 concoctions like lemon chiffon cake, rhubarb torte and boccone dolce, three layers of meringue and fresh whipped cream topped off with seasonal fruit and a chocolate drizzle. Sip from a selection of fine teas from local Steven Smith Teamaker while you enjoy your pastries. On Mother’s Day, both locations of the restaurant will open at 10 am. Reservations highly recommended.
Papa Haydn East: 5829 SE Milwaukie Ave., Portland, 503-232-9440; Papa Haydn West: 701 NW 23rd Ave., Portland, 503-228-7317
