High Tea

Tea isn’t just hot water splashed on some dried leaves. It’s little Muffy in a frilly dress pouring teeny cups for teddy bears. It’s ancient Chinese doctors blending the fruits of the earth to cure flesh, and British nannies sneaking behind the shrubbery snatching a few minutes for themselves. It’s a ceremony and a getaway. It’s mint for a bad hair day, ginseng for emerging deadlines.

Tea is also for finger foods as Chef Linda Strong will demonstrate Monday, June 18 as she presents Taste of UK — High Tea in London, England, at the Bayview School of Cooking. She’ll present a regal high tea experience with petite sandwiches and sweets for $45.  — Suzy Stump

[Bayview School of Cooking, Monday, June 18, 516 W. Fourth Ave., Olympia, to register, call 360.754.1448]

Two temporary closures

Babblin’ Babs Bistro and Corina Bakery have a few things in common.

The small spots dish up big flavors: Babblin’ Babs with foodie-friendly, huge flavors in surprising combinations, and Corina Bakery with the most mouth-wateringly fabulous old-school cakes and sweet baked treats.

Both establishments are family owned.  William and Shannon Mueller runs Babblin’ Babs while also parenting two kids under 6, which is the same situation for Corina Bakery’s Walter and Jessica Gaya.

And both establishments will soon expand and temporarily close.

Corina Bakery will close down on June 17 for about a week so that the Gayas can expand the space. The bakery itself will move upstairs, with an expanded downstairs that will potentially include a wheelchair accessible restroom.

Though the Muellers of Babblin’ Babs are working on expanding into the space next door, an exact date that conferences, meetings and large parties can use the space is unknown, as is exact information on when their liquor license will be approved.

What is known is that the Muellers will embark on some well-deserved family time-off from July 1-14, with some traveling featuring in their plans in addition to a bistro spruce-up.

While it’ll pain me to give up my berry cheesecake (Corina’s) and lavender latte (Babblin’ Babs) temporarily, at least I won’t have to give ‘em both up, together.

And the after-effects of the closures?

Both good things. — Jessica Corey-Butler

[Babblin’ Babs Bistro, 2724 N. Proctor St., Tacoma, 253.761.9099]

[Corina Bakery, 510 Sixth Ave., Tacoma, 253.627.5070]

Nibbles

Wood’s Wharf is scheduled to open early next month in the space formerly occupied by the Blue Olive.  >> 21 Commerce hosts it’s monthly Martini Club Thursday, June 21 from 5 to 7 p.m. For $10 you can enjoy a medley of spring themed appetizers and martinis for $5.  21 Commerce is at 21st and Commerce in downtown Tacoma.  >> Grab a taste of Wyder’s Hard Ciders Tuesday, June 19, 5:30-7:30 p.m., at 99 Bottles, 35002 Pacific Hwy. S. in Federal Way. Chat with them at 253.838.2558. >> Primo Grill hosts a Cooking with Summer Produce cooking class Saturday, June 23 from 2 to 4 p.m. The $65 fee includes recipes and instruction, lunch and a glass of wine. To sign up, call 253.383.7000. Ryan Malone will lecture on “From Amla to Valerian: The Wonderful Herbs of India,” June 26, 7 p.m. at Marlene’s Market & Deli, 2951 S. 38th St. in Tacoma. Admission is free.  For more information, call 253.472.4080. Congratulations to Charlie McManus and Jacqueline Plattner, owners of Tacoma’s primo Grill, who will received honorary associate degrees at Tacoma Community College’s commencement ceremonies June 16. — Jake de Paul