What Makes a Tea Room Over the Top?
July 28, 2008 by Marye Audet
Filed under Beautiful Things
Having owned a tea room this is a question that I think about often. I do think we went to great lengths to be over the top. The food was amazing, made with organics, flour that was freshly ground daily, real butter…
There were over 50 teas to choose from, and 25 coffees plus lattes and other specialty drinks…
And it was not what the people in the immediate area were looking for. Once again, location…location…location.
There is a tea room in the next town south, called The Dove’s Nest. Marc and I have been there..It gets great write ups…and it is o.k..but not what I would call over the top. Admittedly, we have not been there in a couple of years…We should go.
I have an old friend who also owns several tea rooms/restaurants in the area. Cretia’s food is over the top. She has incredible taste. We used to be next door neighbors but I haven’t talked to her in years… once in awhile I pop in to the tea room closest to me, which is a good 15 miles away. She doesn’t serve a lot of what I consider to be tea room foods anymore though, concentrating on her awesome skills in the restaurant area of the business….
I was talking to a friend at church yesterday. She is from Germany and was mourning the lack of good tea rooms/ food in our area. She is a new friend and did not know I used to own a tea room…I have resolved to take tea to her sometime in the next couple of weeks… because I understand.
So in considering all of this…what do you like in a tea room?
For me, the aesthetics are important.
I want to see a cozy yet beautiful decor, fresh flowers not silk, and vintage china.
The food should be, imho, cutting edge. Fresh, organic, seasonal, local if possible. I know that people have differing tastes but I hate seeing pimento cheese sandwiches on a tea menu. I love pimento cheese…but it is lunch fare, not tea. I want a tiered plate, scone served with devonshire cream, lemon curd, or both….tiny but intense desserts….beautifully crafted but unusual sandwiches on an assortment of breads.
When I order coffee I want it to be served with real cream, extra points if it is heavy cream and quadruple points if they have gone to the trouble of serving it in an iced bowl, lightly whipped.
Tea should be served with milk, and sugar in a sugar bowl, not packets. Extra points for sugar cubes.
I don’t like the servers to be in jeans.
Whole bean coffees, freshly ground; loose leaf teas…and a good selection of each
Servers that understand teas and coffees and can make suggestions.
Antiques!
So, is that picky? Too much to ask? I am curious what you think the perfect tea room is…and if you think I am insane. 
Images:Marye Audet
Hi Marye,
I’m looking for a good Lavender cookie recipe and could have swore I saw one on baking delights a few weeks ago. Now I can’t find it.
Could you point me in the right direction?
What do I love a bout a good tea room.
Soft gentle BACKGROUND music,
old china, lace, unique food, excellent scones w/ Devonshire cream, a peaceful atmosphere, polite employees, decadent desserts, and someplace that makes me want to return.
I would have loved your Tea Room I know it!
Cori- I haven’t shared MY lavender cookie recipes yet but you may have found it on this post
http://www.bakingdelights.com/2008/06/17/baking-in-bloom50-best-edible-flower-recipes-ever/
or…was it the lavender scones with vanilla glaze?
http://www.bakingdelights.com/2008/06/20/mini-lavender-and-vanilla-mini-scones/
Marye, I only wish that I could have experienced your tea room. It sounds amazing in every way.
My last experience with tea was at a B&B…beautiful tea, beautiful table setting, lovely antiques, beautiful views, but the hostess was complaining most bitterly about having to clean and bake all the time. I’ve never been back. Yeah, I’d like my hostess/server to at least pretend to be welcoming.
WOW! Vee, that is awful!
I cannot imagine it. :/
Everything you mentioned, you would find in my ideal Tea Parlor. Decor, lace, vintage cups, flowers, I also like it when it’s a true Tea Parlor and not a restraunt serving High Tea. I love the ambiance of a Tea Parlor. Yours sounds like it was right up my alley!
And that scone! What a beautiful scone. Dont suppose that scone is involved in any kind of giveaway, Huh?
LOL! Megan, I have the recipe for it here somewhere..wait..let me check…
Here it is!
http://www.kettleandcup.com/in-time-for-tea-rose-cinnamon-scented-scones/
ah… everything you mentioned, with, perhaps, a gentle string quartet once a week, live of course….
LOL Monica! I have a clarinet player, a bass player, a piano player, and a guitar player…and a drum set..will that do?
Hi Marye,
Another question…I was looking for a yummy lavender recipe because the organization I work for is having a Tea Party. I always give my table guests a party favor usually in the shape of a recipe already made or the ingredients plus the recipe so they can make it themselves. Your lavender scone recipe sounds delicious so I thought if it was ok with you I would use it and give the recipe to my guests. I of course will put your name and blog address on the recipe.
Plaese let me know if that’s ok or not.
Thanks,
Cori
Certainly Cori! I am honored.
Thanks Marye!
you are very welcome..Anytime you want to use a recipe go ahead.
Marye, if they can play great cool jazz, then they willl absolutely do! (although I much prefer sax to clarinet…but that’s me..)
Marye, My dream tea room dark red and gold decor white starched table cloths and napkins, staff in black and white, fine china and small but delicious food.
You need to train your staff in customer service and great knowledge in your product
that sounds beautiful Michelle