Jr:tea

Clara J’s Tea Room, located in a renovated historic Maumee residence, is a special place to enjoy delicious food, fine teas, a charming atmosphere and a touch of history.

Rebecca Jaessing, owner and self-proclaimed tea diva says the history behind the restaurant and the Georgian style home built in 1833 brings another dimension to Clara J’s distinctive dining experience. “We specialize in proper teas, but it’s also about having a place to go where ... [customers] can visit uninterrupted, in a lovely environment, in a quiet, restful place and relax, enjoy good food, and friendship. That is what it’s all about.”

Named for Clara Jaessing Keller, direct descendent of the early Maumee settlers, this tea shop, restaurant and boutique is deeply rooted in the history of its founding city. Born in 1904, Keller grew up working in her kitchen. At a time when few women attained a higher education, she enrolled at Baldwin-Wallace College to study the culinary arts. Utilizing her education and adept business mind, Keller helped establish her own restaurant in Maumee. Today, Keller’s niece Rebecca Jaessing dedicates the restaurant in name and memory to her inspiring aunt.

The menu features homemade gourmet delicacies made fresh every day in the kitchen and specialty teas that customers can’t get at just any store or restaurant. “Our menu changes weekly because here [at the restaurant] we are a scratch kitchen.”

Clara J’s is a perfect place for networking, parties, showers, special events or shopping at the adjoining Neapolitan Gift Shop in addition to lunches, Tuesday through Saturday from 11:00 until 2:00. For reservations or additional information, call 419.897.0219 or visit www.clarajsat219.com.

Runner-Up: Elaine's and Sweet Shalom (tie)