ChezHelvetica introduced Merrick and Kyoko to the pleasures of Afternoon Tea in celebration of their upcoming birthdays, with delightful mother Clare in attendance. Happily, the girls are still at the ages of innocence, yet filled with intelligence, humor and myriad talents.
In keeping with tradition, our first course included a choice of teas (Black, Green, Chamomile and Mariage Freres Wedding Imperial) and an assortment of tea sandwiches ~ Smoked Salmon with Dill on whole wheat bread and Blue Cheese, Apple and Walnuts on Buttermilk bread. Also the table favorite, Peanut Butter and Four Fruit Preserves on both breads!
The second charming course featured homemade Raspberry Scones (thank you for the recipe Martha Stewart) and Apple Toffee Sweet Scones from Jane The Bakery. Bonne Maman Lemon Curd, Honey mixed with Maple Syrup and Créme Fraiche accompanied this course.
Now for the crescendo of birthday cake, candles and wishes! Just Desserts Carrot Cake with luscious Cream Cheese frosting (first served to Merrick when she was 4yo) happily concluded our “Partea” !!!
Wishing J♥️Y! ChezHelvetica hosted a very special Cava75 Birthday Tea Party with dear, artful friends ~ in honor of incredible Arlene! With the cork popped on bubbling Marqués de Cáceres Cava Brut, the party was off. An array of delicious Tea Sandwiches (Shrimp, Egg Salad, Boursin and Blue Cheese/Walnut/Pear) was the first course, along with a wonderful Mango Cole Slaw and an assortment of Teas.
Inspired by the Greens Restaurant menu for Christmas and the first night of Chanukah, ChezHelvetica and dear friends created a feast for this merged holiday. Taking the challenge, a New York Times four-page recipe for 
A Port reduction sauce, flavored with Shallots, Garlic, Peppercorns and fresh Thyme from our garden, drizzled over the Wellington. NB| The Sous Chef also created the toilet paper seed menorah.
