By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief
Come for the picturesque decor, stay for the delicious treats: Adding to its repertoire of cakes and coffees, Sweet Laurel has launched Afternoon Tea service.
Brand founders Laurel Gallucci and Claire Thomas were inspired to bring tea service to Palisades Village, as it is one of their shared favorite pastimes.
“Afternoon tea is a big part of the brand,” Gallucci explained, adding that they have always wanted to incorporate it.
At a price of $35 for two and $17.50 for one, a bottomless pot of tea is served alongside a vegan scone with three-ingredient jam (made from berries, lemon juice and maple syrup), lemon curd and coconut cream, as well as a seasonal tea cake (currently pumpkin) and fairy cakes.
The tea selection at Sweet Laurel includes Lavender Earl Grey, Hibiscus Rose Tisane, Turmeric Chai, Moraccan Mint, Black Tea and Green Dragonwell.
As always, everything is grain, gluten, refined sugar and dairy free—but far from flavor free.
“It’s the cleanest afternoon tea in town,” Gallucci shared with a laugh. “It epitomizes what Sweet Laurel is: beauty and yumminess, indulgent but you don’t have to hold yourself back.”
When Gallucci was diagnosed with an aggressive autoimmune disorder at the age of 26, she was put on a strict elimination diet and was told that she would never eat chocolate cake again. An avid baker, she spent months creating treats for family and friends that she was unable to consume.
Then, she was inspired to craft baked goods with ingredients that she could eat (like pure maple syrup and almond flour), and when she shared with friends, they were blown away—including Thomas, the cook, writer and photographer behind The Kitchy Kitchen, who then asked Gallucci if the two could partner together.
“I completely changed my diet and healed my body through food,” Gallucci shared during an afternoon tea service, reporting that her autoimmune disorder is now in remission with help from a 100% paleo diet.
Gallucci, a former teacher, said that before the change in her diet, she was so weak that she could not make it up stairs. Over time, her energy returned—though she was not able to do strenuous workouts, she was able to do things like yoga and take walks.
Sweet Laurel began as an Instagram, with events and classes. Thomas and Gallucci opened the first brick-and-mortar bakery at Palisades Village last September.
Tea will be served Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12 to 4 p.m.
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