Lily’s & Elise Tea House
19037 Livernois Ave.
Detroit, Mich.
With floral wallpaper, an English-style phone booth, and a giant tree that explodes into blossoms, it would be easy for Lily’s & Elise Tea House to enchant on Instagram value alone. But the photogenic tea shop, located in Detroit’s Avenue of Fashion, backs up its charming atmosphere with food and drinks that actually deliver.
The main event at the tea house is, of course, its afternoon tea, which is not just for little girls and royalty (alas, I’ve made it my mission to experience as many afternoon teas as possible around Detroit and elsewhere). And the afternoon teas go far beyond what’s in the pink-striped teacups, served with picturesque tiers of savories, scones, and pastries.
Lily’s tea menu is one of the most extensive I’ve seen on the local tea scene, with at least three pages of black, green, oolong, herbal, fruit, rooibos, white, pu-erh, and ayurvedic options. Many of them feature creative mixes with ingredients like cocoa nibs and shells; safflower, marigold, and cornflower blossoms; and pieces of mango, guava and rosehips — blends you’re unlikely to find in your typical supermarket.
My group opted for the Raspberry Rose Oolong and the Guava Mango Green teas, both of which were light, well-balanced, and lightly sweet, as well as quite pretty with a vibrant shade of pink and orange, respectively. The accompanying array of sandwiches, scones, and pastries is equally fantastic. The smoky chicken salad sandwich had a unique, slightly barbecue taste. The egg salad sandwich was served on a buttery croissant that added a rich, hearty flavor.
It was hard to choose among our favorite desserts. My friend favored the sweet lemon blueberry scone, I loved the rich, chocolate cake. It’s a filling spread, although a sugar-heavy one that may be best saved for special occasions.
But if you’re feeling less fancy — or less sugar-inclined — Lily’s also serves traditional breakfast and lunch, including full-sized à la carte options of its afternoon tea offerings, plus eggs, French toast, lattes, and more.
Lily’s & Elise is more than a meal – it’s a joyful experience that celebrates whimsy and femininity. It’s a good energy to put out into the world, and we can always use more of that.
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