Jeff Fanger, owner of The Perky Kettle, hopes his new establishment becomes the “community tea house” for Chester Township.
Jeff Fanger, owner of The Perky Kettle, hopes his new establishment becomes the “community tea house” for Chester Township.
Officially opened at the end of September, The Perk Kettle – A Decidedly British Tea House, 12661 Chillicothe Road, was partially inspired by the time Fanger spent in tea rooms in England.
“We want to offer something different in Chesterland that area residents can’t get at a tavern or some other place in Chesterland,” he said.
The décor of the T.E.A. Society Room (travel, exploration and adventure) is modeled after an 1830s English club. Fanger describes the room as “a fanciful experience. It’s not an exclusive club, it’s for everyone. It’s a fanciful idea of what an English club was like in the 1830s.”
Fanger calls the decorative interior a “touch of whimsy,” which can be seen in the various historic pieces of art displayed on the hunter green walls, the wood mantel over the stone fire place, and in various nooks and crannies throughout the tea room.
A gold-framed painting of leopards with wooden tusked elephant scones on either side hangs over the fireplace. Pictures of old-world maps, a pipe smoking dog sporting a red smoking jacket and African tapestries are some of the unique items adorning the walls. Linen tablecloths and napkins, teacups with saucers dress every table.
“We can handle about 40 people, which is an appropriate size for a tea room — a reasonable size,” Fanger said. “We completely remodeled the place.”
Alice’s Parlor — decorated with images of “Alice in Wonderland” characters the Mad Hatter, the White Rabbit and Alice — was inspired by the Lewis Carroll classic, which is a favorite of Fanger’s daughter.
The Perky Kettle serves loose leaf tea, not the usual tea in bags. According to Fanger, bagged tea more resembles tealeaves “pulverized to dust.” He compares it to the “difference between dried spice and fresh herbs. You are getting a much stronger flavor out of the tea if it is loose leaf tea rather than a teabag.”
In addition to the over 50 varieties of teas being offered, The Perky Kettle serves sundry food, such as “Salads, Tidbits & Nibbles,” which includes Alice’s garden salad, quiche, scones and soup. The Coronation Chicken Salad is based on the recipe for the chicken salad served at Queen Elizabeth II’s 1953 coronation celebration.
Other entrees and sandwiches include chicken tikka masala (Britain’s favorite dish), Cornish pasty, Welsh rarebit, croque monsieur and croque madame, and a proper English breakfast.
macarons, treacle tart, chocolate bombe, Jaffa Cakes, truffles, shortbread cookies and cheesecake are the unique dessert offerings on the menu.
They have a homemade orange marmalade “based on Lewis Carroll’s own recipe” and there is even a kid’s menu, Fanger said, adding they try to include local products and produce in their dishes.
Though currently no alcohol is served, Fanger says they are in the process of getting a liquor permit. “It’s a long process. We hope to offer craft cocktails and Hatter’s Gin,” Fanger said.
According to the owner, people as far away as Great Britain, France and Australia have visited The Perky Kettle.
“Most of our customers are women and that’s not uncommon for a tea house, but we want to be couple friendly,” Fanger said.
He said he wants a place for people to relax and to get away from the “hustle and bustle.”
“No TV monitors, just a place that gives them respite from the hectic world,” he said, adding some people have stayed for two to four hours, but the average is about one and a half hours.
Fanger said The Perky Kettle is often sold out at lunchtime and many people make reservations, which he recommends.
They are also open Sundays, Fanger said.
“A lot of tea houses in the area are closed on Sundays and I felt that was unfortunate. Sunday is a great day to have a tea in the afternoon,” Fanger said. “We are quite busy on Sundays.”
Eventually, The Perky Kettle hopes to provide music in the evenings featuring jazz and folk musicians.
As for the tea room’s name, Fanger said he “thought it captured the fun and sense of vibrancy” he was going after.
“I thought it was charming — and the website was available,” he added.
Fanger is a member of the community and said he wants to offer something special for Chester Township.
“I think Chesterland is growing into its own as a hub for cuisine and we want to be a part of that growth,” Fanger said. “I want to thank the community. We have had a lot of support. There are a lot of people pleased we chose to be in Chesterland.”
