Lola's Tea House in Pelbam, N.Y., celebrated over the weekend, Jan. 17-18, with an afternoon, $30-$45, two-person tea menu that included macadamia nut scones, a french dip or chicken teriyaki sandwich, mixed greens, pineapple upside-down cake and a pot of either coconut chai or black currant tea.

In addition to their five-course dinner on Sunday, Jan. 18, Glynis and Eric Legrand of Urban Tea Loft in Chandler, Ariz., are offering a breakfast Jan. 20. The restaurant will open at 9 a.m. so that patrons can begin watching the inaugural ceremony beginning at 9:30 a.m. A buffet-style breakfast and full tea menu will be available.

Glynis Legrand said 42 people showed up for the Sunday evening event, some coming from as far away as Glendale, Ariz., an hour and a half's drive from Chandler. Of them, she estimated nearly half were visiting the Tea Loft for the first time.

The event included a live jazz trio and a champagne toast, but Legrand said the highlight was the open mic' session, where people were invited to share what the election of Obama meant to them. "We had people comparing it to when President Kennedy was elected," she said, "and recalling situations they had been in during segregation. They had hope. ... People who didn't even know each other were making connections."

The Legrands also served Obama 44, SerendipiTea's special blend, created in honor of the 44th U.S. President. Legrand said the Kenyan black tea with apple, mango and cinnamon was "decadent and delicious," with just enough sweetness. She also noted that SerendipiTea paid tribute to Obama's roots by including Kenyan tea and Hawaiian mango and cinnamon.

Kansas tea aficionados can celebrate the inauguration with the Bethel College Women's Association during a Victorian High Tea and fundraiser on Tuesday, Jan. 20, at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at the Bethel College bookstore in the student center.

Hat collector Bonnie Kaufman will show off her collection, as well as lending hats to party-goers for the tea. Women's trio Just Friends will provide entertainment.

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