As Chat Noir celebrated its two-year anniversary in March, the success of the Merrick Road tea house continued to grow. Here, owner Emma Tso discusses the teas and treats that have made her restaurant a staple in the RVC community.
Why did you decide to open Chat Noir?
I was an X-Ray technician for 15 years, and I decided to quit my very boring job and follow my heart instead. I enrolled in pastry school at The French Culinary Institute and acquired Chat Noir three months after graduation.
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Did you have any restaurant experience before culinary school?
I had limited experience in the restaurant industry. I worked as a waitress through college, and that was about it.
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What are your most popular teas and dishes?
We have thirty different types of tea at Chat Noir. The most popular ones are coconut truffle, pecan pie and crème brulee. The most popular food items during lunch are the croque monsieur and the spinach and bacon quiche. During dinnertime, the most popular items are the rack of lamb and the cheese fondue.
Do you offer any specials to entice customers to come in?
We give away scones after dinner for our guests to have the next morning for breakfast. We also give away chocolates during certain times of the year, and we give away Mother's Day presents.
What do you want people to get out of their experience at Chat Noir?
I would like people who are coming to dine at Chat Noir to feel transported to another time and place. Many guests have said that they feel as if they have walked into a patisserie in Paris or London. We have worked hard on every aspect, and we strive to exceed the expectations of every single guest who chooses to dine with us.
