First of all, if you have never visited the Boulder Teahouse, you are missing out one of Colorado’s sister city gems.
Nestled against the Rocky Mountain Foothills in Boulder Colorado alongside Boulder, this visual work of art is considered one of Boulder’s most attractive and popular tourist attractions, as well as being a local favorite for great food, tea and atmosphere.
Completely built by hand without the use of any power tools, the Teahouse was constructed in Dushanbe, Tajikistan as a gift to the city’s sister city, Boulder.
Sip on one of Colorado’s largest collections of international tea while admiring the building’s hand-carved and hand-painted ceiling, tables, stools, columns and exterior ceramic panels.
According to the Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse website, eight colorful ceramic panels, created by Victor Zabolotnikov, grace the building’s exterior and display patterns of a “Tree of Life” enclosed by a mihrab motif (a niche in a mosque indicating the direction of Mecca.) Inside the Teahouse are eight large, intricately carved white plaster panels, designed and executed by Kodir Rakhimov, whose contemporary oil paintings are framed by this art of Persian antiquity.
A central pool inside features seven hammered copper sculptures by Ivan Milashevich, based on a 12th century poem, “The Seven Beauties,” in which a princess from each of seven different nations narrates a fable that expresses important cultural values. The pool even holds live fish from time to time.
Afternoon tea here is not to be missed with a beautiful three-tiered tower of sweet and savory pastries, scones, artichoke purses and cucumber sandwiches, sweet cakes and the chef’s daily special creation all baked fresh on the day of your tea and is presented with, of course, a pot of their premium tea. Afternoon tea is traditionally served from 3 to 5 p.m.
The cost is $22 per person ($14 children under 9). Reservations are required 24 hours in advance.
1770 13th St. Boulder, CO. www.boulderteahouse.com or 303-442-4993
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