For Chris Brown, taking one of his two young daughters to the Willard Hotel in Washington, D.C., for high tea soon after opening Zinnia in September 2022 inspired a profitable idea. It was so delightful an experience that he test-ran weekend tea at the Silver Spring restaurant this past holiday season, intending to end it after the new year. It was such a huge hit that he kept it going; now it runs on Saturdays and Sundays, with 90-minute 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. seatings in two rooms near the restaurant’s entrance.
“My father-in-law accumulated tea sets from estate sales, and guests called offering family heirloom tea sets because their kids weren’t interested in them.”
Chris Brown of Zinnia
The charming low-ceilinged parlor room original to the 1850 house that once served as Mrs. K’s Toll House restaurant features a white brick fireplace and glass cases filled with myriad china tea sets. Patterned wallpaper brings to mind a country estate’s library. Tables are set genteelly with white tablecloths, forest green cloth napkins, porcelain sugar bowls with tongs, cups and saucers and tea strainers. “My father-in-law accumulated tea sets from estate sales, and guests called offering family heirloom tea sets because their kids weren’t interested in them,” Brown says.
The 12 Harney & Sons tea offerings (four black, two green, two white and four herbal) include traditional varieties such as Earl Grey, Darjeeling and Japanese Sencha and flavored offerings, among them Royal Wedding (Chinese Mutan white tea with rosebuds, vanilla and coconut) and black tea enhanced with chocolate and peppermint leaves. The teapot is brought with a three-minute hourglass timer to take the guesswork out of steeping.
A triple-tiered serving plate teems with treats, including tea sandwiches (ham; smoked salmon; mango chutney chicken salad; egg and cress; cucumber; brie and fig), pastries (croissants, cheddar scallion biscuits, cranberry scones and pistachio madeleines) and desserts (lemon meringue tart and chocolate mousse). Accompaniments include Chantilly cream, jams and honey butter. Tea costs $60 per adult ($70 with a glass of sparkling wine) and $40 per child. Reservations require a $25 deposit per person.
Zinnia, 9201 Colesville Road, Silver Spring, 301-704-6653