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Tea Room Is Steeped In Tradition

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By LAURA FRAZIER, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 31, 2007

Updated: 10/29/2007 08:56 pm

VALRICO - Dressed in a pink tutu, Patty Wood once rode a high-wire bicycle suspended above the two-story lobby of the Museum of Science & Industry in Tampa. The publicity stunt, performed during a yearlong gig as a comedic correspondent for a local radio station's morning talk show, was scary, Wood said.

The tightrope ride was a piece of cake, though, compared with the Brandon woman's latest venture. Wood left a 15-year career as a corporate legal assistant to open Tussie Mussie's Tea Room on Bloomingdale Avenue on Oct. 20.

'This time there are no safety belts and no nets,' she said. 'I'm just winging it.'

Dining areas in the well-appointed tea salon are decorated in elaborate Victorian-era themes. Tables are set with lacy linens, fine china and fresh flowers. Wood plucked the salon's name from the Victorian tradition of bundling flowers into tiny, decorative bouquets called tussie mussies.

In time-honored tradition, Wood brews gourmet teas with fresh, loose leaves and offers an assortment of accompaniments, from finger sandwiches and homemade soups to scones, petit fours and decadent dessert specials. A four-course lunch du jour includes homemade soup, a half sandwich, salad, dessert and tea for $13.95.

The room is available by reservation for private parties and can seat up to 65. Each month, the public is invited to several themed tea parties. A Candlelight Harvest High Tea is set for 6:30 to 9 p.m. Nov. 24, with a four-course menu and classical and holiday music performed by a harpist. Costumed stars from the Brandon Ballet's 'Nutcracker' performance will greet guests at a Sugar Plum Fairy Tea in December.

Last week, Red Hat Society members from the Striking Red Hatters of Brandon and Valrico had lunch at the tea room.

'The food was delicious, and it's just a very nice place. We will definitely come back,' society member Karen McCoy said.

Wood and her stepson, Joel, craft homemade soups and desserts in the salon's kitchen. Cooking and entertaining for a crowd is a family tradition.

'My family never knew a stranger,' Wood said. 'My mother's table, her home and her heart were open to all who came to her house. We love food, and we love fellowship. That's what we're all about.'

TUSSIE MUSSIE'S TEA ROOM

WHAT: Victorian-style tea, lunch and desserts; private party seating evenings and Sundays by reservation

WHERE: 1050 Bloomingdale Ave., Valrico

HOURS: 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday

INFO: Call (813) 689-2000 or go to www.tussiemussietea.com

Reporter Laura Frazier can be reached at (813) 657-4523 or lfrazier@tampatrib.com.

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