A Story of Tea and Feet
by Keith J. Chouinard
This summer has been one of excessive heat and odd weather patterns. I’ve been determined I would save my vacations for the winter when I get a little crazed from all the cold and snow. My plan is one of visiting pretty much everyone I know that lives in a warm climate. I figure if I spread it all out no one person will get too tired of me this winter and I will be able to make the winter seem shorter.
To that end I have only done Day Trips this summer to places just to get a little reprieve away from work. On one of those recent Day Trips I headed towards Ogunquit Maine with a friend. Getting lost in conversation we missed the proper exit and ended up near Portland. Well, we figured we were close enough we might as well stop and hit the LLBEAN outlet and see what summer sales we could squander. After getting so many good deals we walked about Portland to find a place to have lunch.
Then we happened along the place this story is actually all about, and of course by now you had thought it was actually all about me, but no, it’s actually about a business called SOAK, which is a Foot Sanctuary and Teahouse. Now, a foot and teahouse you say? Ok, I never thought of the idea myself and I do tend to be pretty much up on creative ideas being a severely right-brained type of a person. A Foot and Teahouse, well of course we went in and had to have lunch.
The place was pretty interesting inside; the first floor had tables for eating light fare as well as tables out side on the pavilion. The owner greeted us at the door and upon our inquiries she gladly explained to us that her vision of what SOAK is today percolated for many years in her own mind before taking root in downtown Portland, Maine. The unique fusion of high quality tea, light food and natural body treatments was first inspired by visits to a west coast teahouse and an unrelated holistic spa. The overlapping benefits and complimentary nature of tea and massage were realized. Foot and leg massage became the cornerstone of the Sanctuary concept and quickly expanded to include scalp, head, neck, and shoulder, hands and arms treatments. A healthy and eclectic food menu became an appropriate addition to the extensive tea list served in the Teahouse.
We picked a table by the windows and were amazed with the selections in the exotic menu made of natural textures we were handed. I chose a Tea Smoothie something I’ve never heard of before, and was happy to be enlightened by.
Blueberry Ginger: Black tea blended with blueberries, mangos, and a hint of ginger.
The ginger was a surprise, as I slowly enjoyed the drink I kept getting this spiritual lift as my taste buds lingered with the amazing blend.
For a salad I chose:
Karen’s Spinach Salad: Spinach, field greens, feta, pecans, sun dried cranberries, sun flower seeds, and red onion tossed in cranberry orange vinaigrette.
I really wasn’t surprised by now after the wonderful atmosphere and the pleasant conversation with the owner that the salad would end up being the best salad I have had in years.
We didn’t have time to get our feet soaked and massaged but have made plans to go back to spend an afternoon relaxing in the joy of SOAK. We did get a wonderful tour of the Soak rooms and got to see the large overstuffed chairs and sofas the clients get to relax in while being treated like royalty. The thoughts of getting a bunch of friends together and making the drive up to SOAK to share the experience came to mind right away, and the owner explained they do many group parties, you just need to call ahead for that to reserve the space.
I am sure I will feel the need to tell you all about my day and the wonderful experiences of teas and treatments I will have had when I go back.
If you would like to set up a time to go or would like more information
please call (207) 879-Soak (7625)
They are located at:
30 City Center, Portland Maine 04101
