Are you a tea enthusiast? Have you recently enjoyed afternoon tea? I recently indulged in this beloved tradition at the new Akwaaba Tea Salon in Philly.
The new Akwaaba Tea Salon is in the Powelton section of Philadelphia, just down the street from another Akwaaba venue. The Tea Salon/Powleton Village received historical designation in 1985 because its architectural design dates from 1860 to 1910.
As the Akwaaba founder & CEO, Monique Greenwood, former Essence editor, continues to grow her Akwaaka Inns real estate entertainment portfolio. It was 2019 when I first met Monique, and I won an essay contest for Sisters from AARP. My prize included a weekend stay at Akwaaba Brooklyn. Monique and I met again in February 2022 during a milestone celebration for my daughter at the Mansion at Noble Lane near the Poconos. During our afternoon tea, the former editor informed me that she intended to open a Tea Salon in Philly and launch a line of limited-edition home designs with Macy’s.
Unsurprisingly, I enjoy indulging in this elegant, extravagant pastime. You’ve read about some of these experiences since I started my website:
The Ritz Carlton, Philly, for my Mom, 2004
The Hotel Hershey, 2011
The Plaza Hotel, NYC, 2014
The Ritz Carlton, 2015
Bergdorf Goodman, 2018
Akwaaba, The Mansion at Noble Lane, 2022
Summer Vacation in Victoria, British Columbia, 2023
Tea Around Town, NYC 2024
I plan to attend another tea later this month. Stay tuned to see where.
So, back to Akwaaba Tea Salon in Philly. The Tea Salon opened in June of this year with the fanfare of a ribbon cutting. The salon is open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Reservations are necessary. The Akwaaba Tea website takes you to the Open Table App to secure your time.
There are three different 90-minute afternoon tea experiences:
Three seatings by reservation only at 11:00, 1:00 and 3:00
The Baring – High Tea Menu – $48 per person
The Lancaster – High Tea Menu – $56 per person (includes soup & salad)
The Lancaster – High Tea and Live Music – $66 per person (includes soup, salad and live music)
Note: Automatic 20% gratuity
Be mindful of parking, as this is a residential area
Brooklyn Tea is the exclusive provider of loose teas for Akwaaba. No matter your experience, you can select the teas you prefer to drink and share with your guests. I selected the Afropunk Brooklyn Tea to taste yummy green rooibos, honeybush, peach, tangerine peels, calendula, and sunflower petals.
I enjoy the return to simpler times and the chance to be fully present in the moment. Afternoon tea is the perfect opportunity to relax and have a fun, enjoyable time with friends. Inspired by the Netflix series Bridgerton, The Lanesborough in London offers a Regency-era afternoon tea.
Interestingly, dress etiquette around 1900 required women to wear hats and gloves when leaving the house. Thank God we can wear hats and gloves if we choose to, especially for afternoon tea.
What I love about the Akwaaba Tea Salon:
🫖 Monique and her dedicated staff
The branding of the Akwaaba name/products
🫖 Chef’s kiss for attention to detail
Chic stackable teapots to keep tea hot with timely refills of hot water
🫖 A dainty and demure experience
John Coltrane’s Jazz music
Finally, our entirely cultural day ended with Associate Supreme Court Cook Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson on the last stop of her book tour. Her memoir Lovely One chronicles her journey to the Supreme Court. Four thousand people attended the book tour at Enon Tabernacle Church in Philadelphia. Philadelphia was the last stop on her tour, with the most people attending—the event sponsor: Philly’s Uncle Bobbie’s Coffee and Books.
As always, thank you for visiting The Age of Grace. I appreciate your love and support.
