Coffee, Tea and Tulips

As I entered the small restaurant, the chef gazed intently at me from behind his kitchen counter. Affectionately known as the “Moody Chef”, he can throw down against any expert pastry maker. The clotted cream and scones are handmade daily by this cantankerous culinarian. She is a dark-haired, classic beauty who pours over 15 types of tea and runs the front of the house. With the congeniality of a doting mistress and the contrasting command presence of a Marine Corps Drill Instructor, my hostess had me feeling instantly at ease. Together, this ying-yang duo own and operate Coffee, Tea and Tulips, a shabby-chic tea parlor and petite bistro in Mission Viejo.

I was promptly seated in a comfy corner of the restaurant with a full view of the buzzing bistro. The hot teapot of Midnight in Paris tea bellowed steamy fumes of ginger, crème de coconut and vanilla flavors triggering endorphins and similar feel good chemicals in my brain. At Chef’s Michael’s recommendation, I ordered the freshly made orange scone with sides of clotted cream and raspberry imported jam. My scone was light and crispy on the outside and warm and tender on the inside - similar to a southern style biscuit. Moody Chef’s ability to whip up a mean scone and equally rich and thick clotted cream caught me off guard! How could an obviously brash personality create such a delicate and delicious scone? After all, his nickname was the “Moody Chef”.

Several years ago, Chef Michael Samawi left his corporate job and with his wife Lina (also hostess and waitress), once a missionary travelling the globe, opened Coffee, Tea and Tulips offering full tea service and internationally inspired dishes. “Tea and scones before any meal” is Chef Michael’s motto. Chef Michael and Lina’s concept is to cook healthy, homemade and sustainable food items serving the dishes “fast food” style – in a timely manner.

The charming parlor and bistro is nestled between an arts and crafts store and bowling alley in the confines of a large commercial shopping center. The setting is “country cottage” - a dried flower wreath and small pictures hang on walls, dining chairs sport comfy back pillows and a rustic armoire filled with tchotchkes rests against one corner of the restaurant. Each table setting is unique and a menu, as thick as a coffee table book, graces each place setting. Recipes are inspired by Lina and Chef Michael’s Middle Eastern heritage with many options from which to choose. Sandwiches are made with artisan bread and tortilla wraps are meticulously rolled and stuffed with crisp ingredients. The Tomato Bisque is thick, rich and velvety and served with a topping of big crunchy croutons.

My tapas of sliced hard boiled eggs, bright red Roma tomatoes and a hearty anchovy filet was drizzled with quality extra virgin olive oil then sprinkled with finely minced black olives. The briny flavor of the anchovy filet and salty black olives are the perfect spice for the otherwise bland tomato and plain boiled egg.

Ninety-five percent of the menu is vegetarian with many vegan alternatives available. The Roasted Vegetable Sandwich, a favorite of mine, is over-stuffed with an abundance of roasted veggies and pungent blue cheese. Lina’s Organic Spinach salad is fresh and filling. A towering pile of organic spinach, thick avocado slices and bacon pieces along with chunks of white skinless-boneless chicken breast overflow on my plate. The spinach salad is very good and a nice combination of lean protein, complex carbohydrates and healthy essential fatty acids.

Despite a busy “walk-in” lunch crowd, Lina managed to maintain a controlled calmness while taking precious time to greet each patron individually. In spite of Moody Chef’s intense demeanor and apparent nonchalant attitude, it is evident by his cuisine Chef Michael has a docile soul with a passion for cooking. Along with Lina and her heart for service, Coffee, Tea and Tulips will be recognized as a dining haven where guests may enjoy traditional tea service and healthy meals in the comfort of a warm, inviting setting.

Cheers!


Open daily - except Monday
Tuesday – Saturday: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Sunday: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Serving breakfast and lunch

www.mycoffeeteaandtulips.com

Avanti Cafe

Ventured out to "Avanti Cafe" (alas, solo...come to think of it, all of my veggie/vegan meals I savor alone...shame!) last week for another vegetarian/vegan culinary experience. The Avanti Margarita Maxima is thirst quenchingly yummy. Not too tart nor too sweet, made with fresh squeezed juices (no sucky, preservative laced Sweet and Sour mix in this margi!). I highly recommend JUST ONE! Remember to allow yourself enough time to metabolize the booze then clear your mind and drive home safely. The Soup du Jour - Celery, had my taste buds experiencing BORING flavors. Their celery soup consisted of a thick, heavy broth which resembled the bucket of mop water after a long day of swabbing down the decks or a dirty kitchen floor and the taste lacked any hint of seasoning (once again, BORING). I don't recommend that soup. Unless, of course, you enjoy mop water out of a bucket! My favorite salad is the Roasted Fruit, Citrus Miso, Caramelized Garlic & Shallot & Candied Walnut Salad. The food expeditor mixes just enough salad dressing as to not leave my fresh spring greens drowning in dressing and overly soggy. Very refreshing salad! I ended my meal with a fresh Vegan Mixed Berry Walnut Crust Tart. It was the perfect combination of luscious fresh berries with just the right amount of sweetness (not too!) surrounded by a crunchy nut crust. They also have several lovely pizzas for about $10. The cafe is pretty small and in a strip shopping center. All in all...I highly recommend Avanti Cafe. Until next time. Cheers!

Dinner and a Movie...or two...

Okay, here goes...saw "Sherlock Holmes" on Monday. Loved it! Actually, besides liking Robert Downey, Jr. (he is lean and muscular in this role), I very much appreciated the martial arts moves (Randy, you love the deadly combinations too!!). Waiting for the sequel!

"Up in The Air" was good. Interesting story line and who doesn't enjoy ooggling at George Clooney shirtless, laying on the floor?? Enjoyable, but it had it's moments of sadness. Worth it. The precursor to this movie was an absolutely delightful vegan lunch at "The Loving Hut" vegan restaurant in Ladera Ranch. My maiden voyage and well worth the 30 minutes it took me to drive there! The Aulac Salad satiated my Vietnamese salad cravings and tingled my tongue with the fresh crispiness of the greens and cabbages which were topped with a splendid peanut dressing. Their version of won ton soup, a.k.a., Heavenly Soup made me smile. Although, the Wong Tong soup at Greens Cafe in Irvine is the best I have ever tasted!!. Holy crab cakes, I'd drive to 'samesville Irvine' just for the soup at Greens Cafe! David the waiter and Lawrence the owner are very engaging allowing a lone patron to feel comfortable while dining solo making for a lovely repast. I often frequent dining establishment by my lonesome therefore, when the proprietor is friendly, the experience is much more enjoyable. No worries, I'm used to it. Oh yes, everyone who truly knows me (sisters) knows I just LOVE coconut. Loving Hut has the best vegan German Chocolate Cake I have ever tasted. Coconut and dark chocolate, which, is not too sweet! Agave nectar happens to be their sweetener of choice for this delicious culinary sweetness. I highly recommend their cheesecake too....delectable and vegan.

I'll see "Blind Side" and based on what I've heard, I'll cry too. I'm the poignant, sensitive type...despite my strong, lean chick muscles. Hahaha!!

If your lucky, more opinions to follow in the near future. Then again, I may resort to my On Demand movies and save the extra $$$ it costs (even the matinees are getting pricey).