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A Steep Undertaking

CANDACE C. MUNDY/TAMPA TRIBUNE

Marie Cooper, owner of The Bistro Tea Room, 11665 Countryway Blvd., prepares a Queen Victoria collection for a group coming in for high tea. The Queen Victoria consists of scones, tea breads, tea sandwiches, pastries, jam, devonshire cream and sorbet, along with a pot of brewed tea.

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By JASON GEARY, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 16, 2008

Additional photos

WESTCHASE - When the real estate market began to cool, Doug Cooper urged his wife to transform their brokerage office into her dream.

"I didn't want to just open up any old restaurant," Marie Cooper recalled. "I wanted to do something different, something special."

Over the years, she developed an appreciation for the elegance of tea rooms during trips to England and elsewhere around the world. Crates in her garage are filled with tea sets.

"I think there's so much craziness around today - people running, grabbing a bite to eat and people just go, go, go," Cooper said. "I just wanted to create a place where people can come in and relax and enjoy themselves."

Doug Cooper encouraged his wife to pursue her vision - especially as the real estate market began to slow.

"We needed to have an alternative means of making income," he said.

Last spring, the couple decided to begin the new business venture. They moved their real estate brokerage into another nearby office location so the old office space near Countryway Boulevard and Race Track Road could undergo renovations.

In November, their old office became The Bistro & Tea Room, offering fancy and hearty foods, a spot of tea and a short respite from the bustle of everyday life. The Coopers continue to operate a real estate office with about 25 agents.

Tracy Gehrs, who has taken several trips to the tea room and bistro, said the ambiance allows her to decompress.

"It's a peaceful, very serene environment," said Gehrs, 47. "It's a great place to meet, to have a conversation and not be interrupted."

The Bistro & Tea Room has also become a venue for special events.

"We've been having birthday parties, baby showers and bridal showers every week - two and three every weekend," Marie Cooper said.

She spends much of her time working alongside her 28-year-old son Peter Vescio in the kitchen. Her 17-year-old daughter Stephanie Cooper helps serve patrons.

Although she wanted an elegant decor, Maria Cooper said she didn't want to be "too frilly" and strictly have a Victorian-style tea room.

The bistro part of the business began to take shape. She beefed up the menu with offerings such as panini and ciabatta sandwiches and soups.

"I just thought if the ladies wanted to go out, there should be something for the guys to do. ... I do have a lot of gentlemen who come in and enjoy a pot of tea with a really great sandwich," she said.

Children also have become welcome tea-sipping customers.

"You go to some restaurants and see kids throwing spoons and doing crazy things," Cooper said. "But when they come here for whatever reason, they don't do it. ... I've had a little boy just 3 years old drinking out of a teacup. It's amazing."

INSPIRED MEALS

When it came to designing her tea room's menu, Marie Cooper knew the special girls in her life should inspire some of the offerings.

The Bistro & Tea Room features three versions of high tea - an elegant meal that includes a pot of tea - called Princess Stephanie, Lady Kristin and Queen Victoria.

Cooper, who owns the eatery along with her husband, Doug, named the high teas after her 17-year-old daughter Stephanie, 15-year-old daughter Kristin and 9-year-old niece Victoria.

Each high tea is presented on a three-tier platform.

The bottom tier has finger sandwiches. The middle has scones and sweetbreads. The top has desserts such as cannoli, petit fours, eclairs and miniature pastries.

The Bistro & Tea Room also features a variety of other dishes, including appetizers, panini and ciabatta sandwiches, soups, quiche and salads.

IF YOU GO

WHAT: The Bistro & Tea Room

HOURS: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday; Sundays available by reservation

WHERE: 11665 Countryway Blvd., near Westchase

INFORMATION: Call (813) 854-1350

Reporter Jason Geary can be reached at (813) 865-1505 or jgeary@tampatrib.com.

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