Tea Time
Love a cup of tea on a chilly day? House of Steep is betting that your feet may love one, too. In addition to its menu of loose-leaf teas and small plates, the Cherrydale establishment offers tea-infused foot baths to customers seeking respite from the cold. “I’ve tried to create a space where people can step away from their daily lives and relax,” says owner Lyndsey Clutteur DePalma, who opened her tea house spa in late September.
The 1,000-square-foot space is divided into a modern six-table tea lounge with a dark granite service bar, and a more private “foot sanctuary” with six upholstered chairs, tucked away behind curtains. There’s also a retail display of restorative bath products made by local artisans.
At any one time, 15 tea varietals and 10 blends are on the menu, which also includes soups, sandwiches and Asian-inspired small plates, such as vegetable dumplings and shrimp summer rolls.
Reservations are advised for the 20-minute foot soaks ($19 to $24), which, in addition to tea, include salts, herbs and essential oils. DePalma recommends the service for stress relief, aid in circulation, muscle tension and detoxification. “After a foot bath, I feel at peace. All is right with the world,” she says.
House of Steep, 3800-D Lee Highway, Arlington, 703-334-2632, www.houseofsteep.com