Prior Issue (Archive)
Palette Pleasers
Tea for Two

Two new restaurants have recently opened in Uptown Saint John. Opera Bistro and The Infusion - Teas and Tea Essentials both feature old ideas that are new to this area.

The Infusion - Teas and Tea Essentials will be celebrating their first anniversary on November 1, 2005. They were voted in Here, a local newspaper to serve the best lunch for under $6.00. They have over 29 loose leaf teas brewed and served - Black, Green, Oolong, White, Rooibos, Herbal as well as Fruit and Herbal Blends. They also serve homemade soups, chowders, pantry favourites, seasonal desserts and mouth-watering scones.

The Infusion - An Infusion of Pleasure is a tearoom with a difference, although not necessarily traditional. Gloria Barker, the owner/operator, says, "I always wanted to run my own shop - a place where people can come to relax and de-stress. At our tearoom, we have a warm and welcoming environment and tea is the perfect commodity to go with this. It is a very soothing drink and helps people relax."

Opera Bistro has an European environment. They were featured on the Food Network's, ‘Opening Soon' show and this is shown on all Air Canada international flights. They will also soon be seen on a cooking show for Aliant telephone high speed customers.

The owners, Margret, Axel and Mario Begner named it Opera Bistro as a tribute to their proximity to the first Opera House which opened in Saint John at the corner of Prince William and King Streets and to honor the opening of the first opera house in Italy. They followed this theme with European type pastries - chocolate truffles, Gelato and more. Their luncheon menu also features many Italian speciality dishes and they serve small plates dinner.

Both of these restaurants host private functions and meetings. Opera Bistro serves wine flights and also has access to an outside patio. By reservation, The Infusion offers a Classic English Afternoon Tea with table linens, fine bone china teacups and teapots.

The Infusion is at 41 Charlotte Street, top of the City Market. Telephone: 693-TEAS (8327).They are open from 7:30 a.m. Monday through Saturday.

Opera Bistro at 60 Prince William Street is open 7 days a week. Telephone 642-2822. For further information go to www.operabistro.com

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