Zen Tea House wins 3 stars in long, erudite CJ review

[Robin Garr]

Marty visits Zen Tea House this week and returns a glowing review that, as is so often the case, seems more praiseful than the standard three-star rating suggests.

I find it interesting that, as Gannett's Saturday Scene continues to shrink in space and stature, Marty gains more space (a fat 791 words this week) for his dining review and tends to fill it with an increasingly erudite, literary style that's well done but seems oddly matched with the "we don't read much" demographic that appears to be the target for the rest of Scene.

Finesse flavors Zen Tea House

Zen Tea House
2246 Frankfort Ave.
618-0878

For comparison, here's a link to my Zen Tea House review in LouisvilleHotBytes and LEO on March 9. At 692 words, it was actually a bit more concise than the CJ's; my 90-point rating would have amounted to a fourth star in the CJ's more coarse-grained rating system:
http://www.louisvillehotbytes.com/?p=356

The CJ, good or bad, it's readership is still much more educated on average than the general public. The demographics say 40% college educated and 16% have graduate education. These people are smart enough to find and read good reviews and information.

[Robin Garr]

The CJ, good or bad, it's readership is still much more educated on average than the general public. The demographics say 40% college educated and 16% have graduate education. These people are smart enough to find and read good reviews and information.

I'm talking about the SCENE, Brian. That thing that looks like one more advertising circular, loaded with fashion photos, with most articles in the 50 to 100 word category. I'm just saying that Marty's professorial style seems like an odd fit with its immediate surroundings.

I would also wonder about how honest the CJ marketing people are when they post their own demographics.

Just trying to point out that if there is one decent dining review in the Scene people will turn to that page and may not read anything else. That is what I did when I had a subscription, it is possible to tune the other things/ads out and read the review. The demos I found seemed to be from and independent source. But is logical that newspaper subscribers are going to be more educated on average.

I usually enjoy the Scene- I don't read all parts of it, but I always read the dining reviews as well as the information about upcoming dining events (find out about a lot of wine dinners and such this way...) I am usually half-awake and slurping coffee when reading the CJ- I am not interested in real world news that early in the AM, so the local fluff and dining information are perfect. The Times after dinner (when I'm slightly more awake) ensures balance.

More importantly and back on topic, I can't wait to try Zen Tea House. I've never had anything made by Coco Tran that wasn't at least great, and it is usually excellent!

The CJ may count educated people among their readership but I'm suspect of the numbers. We have called to cancel a few times over the last few years because the paper basically lays on my front porch for a few days until either my wife or I pick up the debris. They continue to deliver the thing and I haven't paid in quite a while. I give the delivery guy x-mas money and occasional tips but that's it - they are so desperate for numbers they basically will give it away. I feel guilty for the wasted paper frankly!

[Robin Garr]

they are so desperate for numbers they basically will give it away. I feel guilty for the wasted paper frankly!

That's the impression I get, Mark ... sometimes I wonder if they even count among "circulation" those awful sidewalk-litter editions they throw on the street in front of non-subscribers' houses.

FYI- Zen Tea House is now serving vegan cupcakes from Sweet Surrender.

[Robin Garr]

FYI- Zen Tea House is now serving vegan cupcakes from Sweet Surrender.

Does that include a chocolate cupcake or brownie, Jessica? Mary brought part of one home the other day and it was quite good - had an interesting fruity taste that I guessed might had to do with using juice or jelly in place of milk or butter?

Does that include a chocolate cupcake or brownie, Jessica? Mary brought part of one home the other day and it was quite good - had an interesting fruity taste that I guessed might had to do with using juice or jelly in place of milk or butter?

That would have been one of our chocolate cupcakes which are made with beets. Most people don't pick up on the slight taste. Ramsi's serves our chocolate vegan cake made from the same recipe.

Currently, Zen Tea House is serving our vegan strawberry and vegan coconut cupcakes as well.

Does that include a chocolate cupcake or brownie, Jessica? Mary brought part of one home the other day and it was quite good - had an interesting fruity taste that I guessed might had to do with using juice or jelly in place of milk or butter?

That would have been one of our chocolate cupcakes which are made with beets. Most people don't pick up on the slight taste. Ramsi's serves our chocolate vegan cake made from the same recipe.

Currently, Zen Tea House is serving our vegan strawberry and vegan coconut cupcakes as well.

Huh. I'll have to give those a taste. I tried making brownies using beets and I think it's the first time I ever threw away dessert because it sat and got moldy. That just doesn't happen in this house.