The dainty charm of a jewellery box
Good things come in small packages. Tea, for example. And dessert delights such as chocolate brownies with sour cherries, presented in precious white boxes lettered in red and black with the insignia of The Red Tea Box. This split-level confection on Queen Street has the dainty charm of a jewellery box, and has gained a reputation amongst discerning palates for its dedication to premium hand-crafted teas, delicate luncheons and scrumptious desserts. Let’s begin with the teas.

An extensive selection of single estate teas
Conventional Earl Grey and English Breakfast complement subtle Darjeeling and the exotic Lapsang Souchong amongst the black teas. Seven greens include Moroccan Mint and White Chocolate Pearls, both exquisite. The Red Tea Box also offers six Oolong teas, five whites, and five herbals, including Lavender Mint and Rooibos Chai. Choose by the cup or pot, knowing that the pot is perfect for sharing, yielding at least two cups and served with two cookies. Now let’s order substance with this dainty fare.

Bentos, soups and sandwiches
Lunch and afternoon tea bentos are served in all-in-one lacquered boxes contrasting subtleties such as pana cotta and shrimp rolls. Sandwiches include a veggie muffaletta and sour dough delights of steak, chicken, and salmon. Soups and salads are lovingly prepared, but save room for fantabulous desserts.

The gems of the Red Tea Box
The gems of this jewellery box are on display in glass domes in its front room. Precious sweets, shortbreads, tarts, brownies and pastries of elaborate design and construction are stacked with a Zen-like balance and precision that will have you reaching for your camera. Don’t! It’s against store policy to take indoor photographs. Your experience will have to remain a memory, just like all good things that come in small packages.