HARBOR EAST: Teavolve

AHHHHH!!!! One of my best friends got ENGAGED! I am super happy for Georgia and her new fiancee, Charlie! Charlie proposed to her the weekend before Thanksgiving during their weekend trip to New York :) They are perfect for each other and I am EXTREMELY happy for them! I cannot wait to see their lives grow together!

So, Saturday morning (ironically right before I went to brunch with Adam), when she called me to tell me the lovely news, we planned to see each other! Something simple, but where we could talk! I have been wanting to try Teavolve, and thankfully Georgia is open to new places, so she agreed! (notice how I normally decide where my friends and I should eat? lol...)

Side note: My love, Vasili, and I had actually try coming here once before on a Friday evening. However, they have live music over the weekend, and being self-seating, we weren't guaranteed a seat in the tiny, jam-packed cafe, so we ventured elsewhere!

So yay! We planned for the day after Thanksgiving, while everyone was out shopping, to go to Lunch. I parked on the street right outside and didn't even need to pay = happy.

When you enter, you land on a "waiting area" so-to-speak. There are sofas and such. But to get to the actual cafe area, you have to walk up (strange, no?) a few steps. The decor is very casual with wood and black. The entire left side is the counter/dessert display/prep area/kitchen, and the entire left side is windows. So, naturally, we chose a seat (self-seating) next to the windows. It was awkwardly empty when we went.

An indifferent waitress came and took our drink orders. I ordered a caramel latte with skim milk, and Georgia a flavored sweetened ice tea (Teavolve... they have many teas!) When they arrived, we were both happy. The tea was obviously house-brewed and very refreshing. My latte was huge and the coffee wasn't overpowering or too sweet with caramel.

Their brunch menu is short and sweet, which many options from omelettes to french toast, salads to sandwiches. Georgia chose the Blackened Salmon Panini (mixed greens, tomato, herbed remoulade) and I the Adult Grilled Cheese Panini (mozzarella, goat cheese, feta, olive oil), both served with a side of chips. They were both delicious! The salmon panini was huge, with medium cooked salmon. My panini was surprising; the mix of cheeses delivered an unexpected taste. I would definitely order it again!

After our satisfying meals, and even beter conversations, venting, reminiscing, and planning, we decided to splurge with dessert! Why not, right? After all, cafes are supposed to have great dessert to pair with their teas and coffees. Unfortunately, we were disappointed. Georgia ordered a crepe and asked to substitute the banana with strawberries (with Nutella and almonds) and I ordered the raisin bread pudding. When they arrived, we were excited because the portions were huge! Mine was fine.. it was warmed and cinnamony... but a little denser than expected. Nothing to write home about, or re-order.

As for the crepe, unfortunately, it seemed as if Teavolve uses pre-made crepes (really?!) because it was cold and thick/cake-like. Weird. They also forgot the almonds. AND the Nutella they described was not present, instead was drizzled with chocolate syrup. We are Greek. We know what a crepe is and how it is to be made. This wasn't going to work.... So Georgia asked our unenthused waitress if there was supposed to be Nutella on the inside (you think "Yes!")... but she didn't know and we watched her ask the chef. After a two-minute long conversation, and him shaking what seemed to be an empty Nutella jar, she returned. She brought with her a little cup of Nutella and another one of chocolate syrup. I assume (since they didn't offer to remake it for her, correctly) that they simply don't know crepes. Shame.

So... in the end, Teavolve is good for sandwiches and beverages. However, I wouldn't expect great service and dessert while you are there. I am sure their live entertainment helps the ambiance and reputation, but as for me, I am thankful to have had the company of an amazingly sweet (newly engaged!) friend with great conversation to enjoy my lunch (read: sandwich and coffee) with!

http://www.teavolve.com/index.html