The Steeping Room

So...I love tea. There is so much comfort that comes from drinking a steaming mug of tea. It's pretty much a daily ritual in my house now. 

The Steeping room is a tea house and restaurant located up in Austin in this area called The Domain. The Domain is part of a huge shopping center and I've been in there for a cup of tea and a cupcake but never for an actual meal. Andrea is a huge fan and goes to brunch there often so when she asked me to meet her there for dinner Monday night, I knew I had to give it a try especially since I knew I could get a cup of tea.

Sure enough, we began our meal with hot tea.

How beautiful are these sweet teapots and tea mugs?

It was hard to choose as the Steeping Room has a very thorough tea list. In the end , we both got tea from the Green Tea Japanese Single Leaf family. I choose the Genmaicha, an addictive green tea from Japan with toasted rice and sencha. Andrea had the Houjicha, a roasted tea with calming properties. 

For dinner I couldn't decide, so our waiter ---seriously the best waiter ever--- led me to the Jasmine Gravlax,which was jasmine tea-cured Atlantic salmon with cream cheese and thinly sliced cucumber served on white bread with a side of Cashew Caesar Salad.

I am not the biggest fan of white bread but I really enjoyed the taste of cream cheese and salmon against it. I love Caesar Salad and really liked the twist of the Cashews in the dressing. 

Andrea had the Seasonal Grilled Vegetable sandwich on rice bread which had tofu with butternut squash, caramelized onions, arugula, lentil walnut spread and goat cheese with a green salad.

   

Andrea assured me it was delicious and she did clean her plate.

Even though by the end of the meal we were full, we had decided at the beginning of the meal to split dessert and you know, we are some smart ladies.

I mean, look at this:

Earl Grey Chocolate Mousse 

Amazingly delicious and I loved the added tartness of the raspberries.

The Steeping Room is located in the Domain off of the Mopac Expressway. They pride themselves in fresh and natural ingredients and have something to meet most dietary needs including vegetarian and gluten free options. Visit their website and make your way up there for a hot cup of tea this winter and if you have time, stop in for a meal. You will not regret it.

Happy Eating!