Living and working as a psychic can be quite draining, although I love what I do. It’s not dissimilar to any other ‘caring’ profession, where you are totally focused on the needs of others, in a way that leaves little time for yourself.
I’ve learned that the best way to avoid burnout for me is to work for a few intense days in a row and then have a complete break from clients for a time. And one of the ways I often celebrate finishing my work week is with a visit to Queenies Teahouse, at Nundah Village in Brisbane.
It’s the perfect place for nurture and soul food. From the moment you push open the door with its tinkling bell you can feel yourself begin to unwind. Smiling staff greet you and usher you to crisp linen’d tables, and soon you’ll find yourself cradling a small tasting cup of one of their delightful teas as you peruse the menu.
A visit to Queenies is like a step back in time, where the worries of the world stop at the front door. In the background the gentle strains of music your grandmother might have listened to – all the old jazz and blues greats, and the sounds of yesteryear – soothe and unfrazzle your senses. Gorgeous smells waft from the kitchen.
This is no coffee shop with its clatter and noise, laptops and mobile phones. Here you find friends chatting, generations of families catching up over a pot of tea, and individuals having a moment’s respite from their daily madness – a sort of ‘tea and tasties’ meditation for one.
The teas are sublime and there are so many to choose from. There are two full menu pages devoted to the tea selection, with the sorts of descriptions usually reserved for wine lists.
The herbal tea and green tea varieties are as extensive as the black teas, and they always arrive at your table perfectly brewed, or refreshingly iced.
And have I mentioned the food…
Everything is made fresh in the Queenies kitchen – examples include the daintiest of ribbon sandwiches, creamy risotto, savoury mince (that is right up there with my late grandmother’s), exquisite cakes, coconut ice, and of course cupcakes and scones to die for…
Yesterday a friend and I enjoyed ribbon sandwiches and a pot of Creme Brulee Tea, followed by something sweet.
For me, the most moist and delicious gluten-free orange and almond cake, with its own little shotglass of orange syrup and a perfect ball of chocolate ganache of swooning quality…
For my friend, the baked cheesecake with its spicy gingernut biscuit crust and heavenly berry topping…
The menu has all the traditional high tea favourites, and is also vegetarian and gluten-free friendly. And there are lovely treats to take home – a sachet or two of your favourite tea, a pretty teapot or tea-towel, or perhaps a tiny tea set for the small people in your life.
My wonderful friend, the poet Carly-Jay Metcalfe was moved to poetry by yesterday’s outing. You can read about it here.
In fact, I was so inspired that I am planning to book the place out and have a Sunday Function here one day soon, where we can combine Soul Food, Spirituality, Blessings and Poetry over a lovely lunch and a good cup of tea with like-minded souls. Stay tuned for details!
Sweet Tooth Porn, shame on you! XXX
LOL ♥ ♥ ♥
That looks just PERFECT!!!!
It IS wonderful, Nikky. You’d just love it! ♥ ♥ ♥
Looks scrumptious! I have tea shop envy!
LOL! I usually feel like that after reading Lorna’s teashop posts!!!
Wow their Tea selection looks huge!
It is, and I am a serious devotee!!! Thanks for visiting and saying hi 🙂
Aaaaaaahhhhhh! I feel a calmness just reading about your favourite tea house Nicole. I must venture out and try it next week. In need of a break from study. When you plan your get together, If there’s a spare seat, I’d love to fill it. LOL!
You’ll love it Silvana – it is truly a little piece of soul food heaven xx
I have been moved to tears by the very generous and kind words you have written about Queenie’s. When I opened my heart to the idea of creating a ‘nice place to go’ I had no idea that the ripples would spread so very very far and wide. You are all most welcome at Queenie’s
♥ ♥ ♥ Julie, you have created something very special, that means much to many of us. You opened your heart and that shines through in everything you do. Hooray for you and Queenies!!! ♥ ♥ ♥
Oh my that looks very wonderful:)
It is. Worth a visit if you ever get Down Under xx
that sounds so heavenly! the tea, the food, and lap-top free! Yay!
Yes, I sat there the other day thinking how lovely it was that people were talking to each other, or reading, and not texting and facebooking and web surfing. Nothing wrong with that, but to have a haven where it doesn’t happen is pure bliss!
looks delightful! I think we all need a moment or two to ourself.
Amen to that! ♥
Oh, please save me a spot at the table! I can’t cross the Ocean quite yet, but I will be there in High Spirit for High tea. Lovely thinking about soothing the psychic light.
I’ll take some pictures for you and send you the activities we do so you can feel like you’re with us in spirit. Much love and light to you xx
As they used to say, “The next best thing to being there” (or was that Jerzy Kosinski?). I’d love some delicious pictures — cheers to you, Sy (for Sydney)
Oh, yum. Thank you for the post. Reading about Queenie’s and looking at the goodies was a break all by itself. Just what the moment called for.
Oh hooray! Glad you enjoyed it xx
Reblogged this on istopforsuffering and commented:
This is my idea of heaven ♥
Thanks for the reblog – so very kind of you xx
Oh my goodness. This is my idea of HEAVEN ♥. I love the way you write – I feel like I was there :-). I would definitely love to come along to a Sunday function. Count me in !!!!!!!
Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
😀
Such a nice coffee/tea shop will have to try it sometime.A tea party sounds fab!
Maybe you can join us. But you never need an excuse to go to Queenies…
Thanks for stopping by my blog. Much love to you xx
I am in the mood for a High Tea … or at least a tea party. Would love to invite my grandma … she loved those itty bitty dishes 😉
Hi,
I have never heard of this place before, your description of the establishment and food sounds divine, I will definitely have to try this place out. I haven’t had “High Tea” for ages, and it certainly does look like my type of place. 😀
I do hope you go – it’s definitely worth a visit! ♥
Beautiful, inviting and there very place I’d like to be right now. =0)
*the* …gotta love my comment fail. Monday, I love you, too!
Shame you are a little far away for joining us. I’ll make a pot of tea and eat a cupcake in your honour 😀 Just to share the love…
♥ ♥ ♥
Awwwe… thank you so much =0)
I feel Nicole after my reading next week, I will take Sha-tina, Michelle and myself there after our readings on Wednesday. My friend Sha-Tina has a reading on Tuesday, which I will drive her to and then Mikchelle Dunk and Iwill be back on Wednesday, so will celebrate with tea at Queenies – thank you for that. Could become adddictive.
An excellent addiction though! Looking forward to seeing you soon ♥ xx
I love the look and sound of this place Nicole! I especially love the thought of old blues and jazz records playing in the background as you sip your tea and unwind! It’s no wonder you love this place so much. It’s about a 45min drive from me…but I think it would definitely be worth it 🙂 Xx
Maybe you’ll be able to join us for our Sunday High Tea xx
OMG…I’m in heaven. “Queenies” is certainly my cup of tea. Shame it’s not open on a sunday. Great idea to book it out for a special function…can I come please! The food looks divine…gingernut base for a cheesecake…yes please…although the traditional “High Tea” looks so tempting….wonder if Bangalow Tea Rooms knows of this gem? maybe they could book it in conjunction with a visit to GOMA in the future…now we are talking grand idea…Blessings to U
That is a grand idea indeed!!! It would be lovely if you could join us for our Sunday Lunch. I’ll let you know as soon as we’ve finalised dates and details. xx
PS I can vouch for the cheesecake 🙂
Ooh, if I lived near you I think I’d be a regular at Queenie’s, it looks wonderful. I love the idea of the tinkling bell as you go through the door, like stepping back in time. What a great idea to book it for a Sunday function. I want to come!
I should have dedicated today’s post to you, Lorna! It is such a bonus having this little piece of heaven just around the corner from my city abode. Such a shame you live so far away or it could be our regular hangout!
That would be great! 🙂
What fun!! Perfect place for a break.
Yes, it’s pretty special. And delicious! 😀