TEA AND MORE: “Opening a new business and learning a new market is always a challenge. You have to resonate with the community, and it’s important to appeal to the community without losing your identity. We have had great support from everyone, and more people are finding us all the time.” Doria Roberts, left, and Chef Calavino Donati, owners of Tipple & Rose Tea Parlor, are enthusiastic not only about the extensive variety of teas they offer, but also the high quality dining opportunities and the array of gifts featured in their retail section. (Photo by Eric Cash)

By Jean Stratton

Pleasures abound at Tipple & Rose, where gracious living is the heart of this charming tea parlor and gift shop.

Customers are considered “guests” and owners Doria Roberts and Chef Calavino Donati are “hosts” at the emporium, which opened at 210 Nassau Street in 2021.

The spacious setting includes three sections, explains Roberts. “We have the Mercantile retail area; the tea parlor, where people can have tea and dine; and the Cottage, another dining area where they can have bottomless pots of tea and spend quiet time studying or working on their computer. Here at Tipple & Rose, you can shop, eat, and drink tea, and work or study in the Cottage.”

Indeed, sometimes people come to the Mercantile looking for a gift, and then realize they can have lunch or afternoon tea or vice versa. The attractive setting, with light streaming through the large windows of the Mercantile, and the darker forest green walls and gold accents in the dining area, combine to create both a vibrant and a relaxed atmosphere. Many people like to browse among the gift items, and then follow up with a pot of tea and lunch.

Intriguing Design

Roberts created the decor and displays, which also include a cash register dating to the 1800s, and a vintage typewriter and adding machine, to offer a distinctly unique look.

“I thought the dining area could combine a kind of speakeasy with its darker walls, and then the warm feeling of a tea parlor.”

Customers seem to be very taken with this intriguing design and ambiance.

As they enter the establishment, people first encounter the Mercantile with its assorted selection of teas and tea-related items, such as tea pots of all kinds and colors, tea infusers, and brewing apparatus, along with  herbs and spices, honey, pumpkin butter, cookies and chocolates, candles, bath and body products, pillows, warm and colorfully cozy socks, books on sundry subjects, fun pencils and notebooks, and much more. In addition, gift baskets have become very popular items.

“I love buying all the products and curating the shop,” says Roberts, whose talents have led her to pursue a series of differing careers.

Born in Trenton, she graduated from Princeton Day School, and her first job as a teenager was at the Princeton Garden Theatre. A great job for a teen, who loved movies!

After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania, she enjoyed life as a folk singer and guitarist, traveling all over the country, and abroad, for many years.

Scones, Soup, and Quiche

Settling in Atlanta, Ga., she met Donati, and the two decided to open a restaurant. Donati has a long history in the food industry, and Roberts was quick to learn the business. Not only does she handle the marketing, the interior design, and buying the retail items, she also now prepares the scones, and makes the soup and quiche.

The Atlanta restaurant was a big hit both with diners and critics, and received numerous awards.

In 2019 they moved to New Jersey, first opening a tea emporium in Pennington before the Princeton location became available. Clearly both partners, who are now married, have a very strong work ethic. As they say, “We are always doing our best to keep everything up to our standards and always improving.”

In addition to the many hats she wears, Roberts teaches tea classes at the shop for the Princeton Adult School.

Visitors are responding to the variety available at Tipple & Rose with enthusiasm, she reports. All the gift items have their fans, and she especially references the Conversation Cards.

“I was surprised at how popular these are,” she says. “They show how interested people are in family history, and the cards offer an opportunity to have a conversation with parents and grandparents about past history.”

140 Teas

Tea is clearly the underlying foundation and focus of Tipple & Rose. A tea master, Roberts is very knowledgeable about teas and their history, geographical sourcing, and their properties. Some are known to address conditions such as digestion issues, stress, immunity, and sleeplessness, as well as to boost energy, improve relaxation, and for overall wellness. Others just taste good!

“We have 140 different teas and tisanes (herbals),” says Roberts. “They are from all over the world, including England, India, China, and Japan. I keep learning more about them all the time, and they are so popular with our guests.

In addition to the traditional Earl Grey, Darjeeling, English Breakfast, and the increasingly popular green tea, there is an amazing number of different flavored teas.

Chocolate peppermint, peach ginger, winter wonderland (cinnamon, orange, lime, blackberry leaves, cloves), vanilla bean, smoky maple, and many, many more are favorites.

A variety of tea and dining opportunities are available, including special afternoon high teas, featuring many options. Soup of the day, savories, finger sandwiches, scones, fresh fruit, macaroons, and chocolate truffles are some of the choices. Depending on the selection, a more expansive menu is available.  All the high teas must be reserved in advance.

Eye Appeal

On the other hand, walk-ins are welcome for lunch or a just a pot of tea. Tipple & Rose prides itself on the quality of the food and its presentation.

“We are set apart by special recipes, fresh ingredients, locally sourced when possible, and presentation,” points out Roberts. “Chef Colavino makes everything from scratch, and the presentation is special and eye appealing. In fact, people eat with their eyes!”

Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free choices are all available.

Sandwiches, soups, salads, and quiche are all popular, she adds. Favorite sandwiches include the Turkey Reuben with house-roasted turkey, Bumble mustard slaw, and Havarti cheese, warmed on marble rye; the Georgian, featuring house-roasted turkey, goat cheese, drunken peach compote, mixed greens, and tomatoes on warm ciabatta; and also the Duck Salad Sandwich with tea-brined, house-roasted duck and sun-dried cherry tomatoes in a house-made Dijon aioli, warmed on a croissant.

There is always a soup of the day, and salads range from the Vegan Harvest Salad and Winter Fruit Salad to the Vegetarian Greek, to the all-encompassing Chef’s Salad with Black Forest ham, Genoa salami, roasted and sliced chicken breast, Applewood smoked bacon, boiled egg, rosemary cheddar cheese, cucumbers, and tomatoes, with a side of house-made buttermilk dressing.

Quiches include ham, tomato, mozzarella, and mushroom, among other ingredients, and scones are offered in many versions, including blueberry, raspberry, strawberry, and marmalade, and with the option of the traditional clotted cream.

Beverage of Choice

While tea is the beverage of choice, other libations are also available. Coffee, sodas, and hot chocolate are all offered, as are iced tea and iced coffee.

Especially interesting is the selection of zero proof non-alcoholic drinks, including beer, wine, and spirits. Tasting like the “real thing,” they have become very popular, and Tipple & Rose guests enjoy stepping up to the bar, eager to try their next specialty.

The overall price range at Tipple & Rose is from $4.50 to $200, with everything in between. Sandwiches begin at $9, with many choices at $12, $15, and up to $25. High teas can be costlier.

Roberts is pleased that their catering business has been growing, with a variety of customers. “We do a lot with Princeton University, and also private residences. In addition, we have private parties at the restaurant, and these have been increasing too.”

Roberts is also encouraged that the number of guests has been growing. Not only are they coming from Princeton and the area, but beyond. “We have many regulars, and many are now becoming friends,” she points out. “I am so happy that one of them is my favorite high school teacher, who comes in every two weeks for tea.”

Returning to Princeton has been a special pleasure for her, she says. “It’s wonderful being back. I am seeing my friends from high school again, and I look forward to getting to know Princeton even better, and to becoming a real part of the community. Princeton is definitely the right place for us.”

Seating, including outside tables, is available for 100 people, and takeout service will be offered in the future. Hours are Tuesday 12 to 6 p.m., and Wednesday through Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Lunch is served until 4 p.m.

For further information, including afternoon tea reservations, call (609) 303-0277 or visit the website at tippleandrose.com.