Tea Time

Laureen Miles

Teavolve

The Boston Tea Party makes for great national folklore, but tea seems all but forgotten by America’s on-the-go folks who gulp coffee by the gallon. In Baltimore, however, tea’s made something of a comeback with teahouses springing up around town and many restaurants offering elaborate spreads to justify a cup in the afternoon.

In Fells Point, the mod “tea lounge” Teavolve (410-327-4832) goes head to head with coffeehouses by serving tea lattes, tea sodas, fruit-tea smoothies and bubble tea. Petticoat Tea Room (410-342-7883), also in Fells Point, takes a more genteel approach, specializing in Southern afternoon tea complete with watercress sandwiches on delicate china.

Just a block away, local pub Bertha’s (410-327-5795) serves an afternoon tea (by reservation only) with three savory items, assorted desserts, tarts and scones every day except Sunday. In funky Hampden, Finnerteas (410-235-8327), a tea room offering 22 varieties of tea and an assortment of sandwiches and sweets, proves an elegant exception in a neighborhood known for its kitsch.