Passing the time at Prince Tea Shop
Have you ever gone to visit family and find yourself with way too much time on your hands?
I had the wonderful perplexing dilemma of figuring out how to spend the day as I wait for my family to get off of work. If you've ever had the blessing of excess paid-time off not on a holiday, you know it's a blessing in disguise. Yes, you have free time. Who do you spend it with is the question. Yesterday, my answer was myself. I spent it with myself until it was time for my loved ones to punch the clock.
I spotted a tea shop named Prince Tea Shop on my way out of Terakawa Ramen the other day and decided to return to the area for a visit. I'd been dying to try an afternoon tea set and relished in the opportunity to indulge.
Upon looking further into their business, I saw that they have a lot of branches around the Northeast and a few in the South. Since I was blessed to dine-in during a weekday between 12 and 3 pm, I was able to order the brunch meal for $27.99. With this set, you get an appetizer, sandwich, dessert, and drink of choice. Ordering is contactless via your phone. I don't order this way very often. My server picked up on my hesitancy and offered to help me place an order. I didn't take them up on the offer, but if you find yourself in a similar boat when you visit ask for help. The staff seems more than happy to assist you.
That day, I chose sweet potato fries, a smoked salmon sandwich, the strawberry parfait, and an iced rose green tea.
After I placed my order, it dawned on me I might not get a classic tea pot with an iced tea. I really wanted a cutesy tea pot, but the vibe of my mason jar iced tea was everything I needed aestheticly. It’s pretty cute in it's own way. The rose green tea was all in all very pleasant that humid afternoon. With the Brunch meal, you do not receive free refills. You are more than welcome to order another cup or have some water. Be mindful as you sip if you wanted to drink your beverage with your dessert.
There's something about an afternoon tea that feels fancy. When you're trying so hard to see the people you love, sometimes you may feel as if they're not trying as hard as you. Like they don't want to see you as badly as you want to see them.
At those times, I try to remember that when you love someone you do stupid things. Maybe that's spending way too much on a trip, or taking on too much to prepare for a relative’s visit. Either way it's nice to take a pause and replenish your energy when you feel like there's nothing left to pour out of your cup.
My fries came out pretty quickly after my tea. The crunch gave way to velvety smooth potato. It kinda reminded me of the sweet potato stands they have seasonally in the Asian markets, but in fry form. As I munched away with too much on my mind, the smoked salmon sandwich landed way faster than I anticipated.
One thing I was not able to figure out with the mobile order was how to customize. The next time I go I will ask the staff for help with removing ingredients I'm not a big fan of, like cream cheese. That said, I'm so pleased that I basically forced myself to try cream cheese with smoked salmon.
I do not like cheese. My experience with cream cheese is that I can bear it if I can't taste it. In the thicker application parts of the sandwich, I could taste it. I'd be lying if I said I liked the flavor of the cream cheese, but I'd also be lying if I said I didn't like the synergy between it and the smoked salmon. The texture of the cream cheese made it stick pretty well to the salmon. Everywhere the cream cheese touched, the smokiness of the salmon mellowed out. It's not the salmon had a harsh smoke to it at all. It was very appetizing, but I can see the appeal now of the iconic combo that is cream cheese and salmon. There was a very pleasing amount of salmon on the sandwich too. Enough so that fish was sticking out past the crust.
Still, due to my own preferences I would never choose to have that combo. Thanks to Prince Tea Shop, I do have a new food on my “I'll eat this if there are no other options” list. If you enjoy cream cheese, I think you'd enjoy this satiating yet light sandwich.
The strawberry parfait was something else. I thought the construction was quite clever. I waited a bit to dig in, but the cream didn't seem to deflate. The top dollop of cream was supported by a small disk of puff pastry. The rest of the thick cream was in alternating layers with the strawberries and cream. That sponge cake is sweet. Like, sweet sweet. Nothing else was nearly as sweet in the rest of my meal which made the parfait feel particularly decadent even though it's no where near Southern carnival/fair levels of sweet. A bite with the garnish adds a refreshing twist to the whole dessert. You only have so much mint. Try to use it sparingly to increase your sweet stamina if you don't have a second stomach for sweet things. Pairing the dessert with a not sweet tea would help to. My pairing doubled down on the fruity flavor. It may just be me, but I feel like the rose just magnified the strawberry flavor in my mouth. It wasn't a suitable pairing to try and tone down the sweetness. I could see myself pairing it again on a day I'm really craving strawberries just for how yummy they were together. It kinda felt like how salt brings out that much more flavor in a cookie or cake.
This whole meal, atmosphere, and service felt very refreshing to me. For a tea house, I'd imagine that's the highest compliment you can get. I know some nicer tea shops can be seen as stressful for their dress code and higher standards for table manners, and trust me this place is nice! All I felt my entire visit was relaxed. I’ll admit I was a little nervous at first, but the staff aren't hard to approach or try to push you out the door. Keep in mind, I came during a slow period on a Wednesday around 2 pm. I'm sure they'll have busier times so close to center city. If you get the timing right, this is a nice reprieve from the hustle and bustle.
As I finished out my meal, I was inspired to carry that calm nourished feeling with me as I continue my travels.
I'll certainly be returning in the future to re-experience this moment of calm and satiating light bites.
If you're a local, I would highly recommend pairing this experience with a movie or window shopping at the Fashion District. The restaurant is a straight shot away from the street access doors to the underground mall.
Prince Tea Shop - Philadelphia Branch
203 N 9th St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Hours
Mon: 12pm - 10pm
Tues: 12pm - 10pm
Wed: 12pm - 10pm
Thurs: 12pm - 10pm
Fri: 12pm - 11pm
Sat: 12pm - 11pm
Sun: 12pm - 11pm
Rose Green Tea - slightly sweetened, but not too sweet. The green tea brew is not tannic enough to make me pucker. The rose is not overpowering.
Sweet Potatoes Fries - as fries should be. Crunchy on the outside, tender on the inside. A simple fry, but the potatoes are quality enough to speak for themselves. If you enjoy a seasoned fry any time you fry, they aren't for you. If you can enjoy simpler fry dishes like tempura, you'd appreciate the gentle, yet pronounced flavor of the sweet potato. The dipping sauce is straight up ketchup. In my opinion, the fries are better on their own rather than with the ketchup. Taste wise, and they’re less heavy on the stomach without it.
Smoked Salmon Sandwich - not too much cream cheese. Lettuce, tomato, salmon. Not a soggy sandwich. Pleasant mouth feel to the salmon. The cuts have some meat to them, but aren't overwhelmingly thick.
Salad - crisp leaves with a small amount of cucumber and tomato. Quite refreshing with the dressing.
Dressing -ginger dressing, sweet like a sweet vegetable, not sugar. Not vinegary at all.
Strawberry Parfait - whipped cream, confectioners sugar, mint leaves, sliced and diced red strawberries, puff pastry, sweet vanilla cake, and an aroma that makes you want to dive right in instead of taking pictures
PS. They have clean bathrooms too with a huge mirror. We always a appreciate a clean bathroom while traveling or exploring the city.
PPS. If you don't finish your tea, they have to-go cups! I only experienced them with a cold drink.
