After the exhibit and feeling very royal indeed, we headed just a couple miles away to Serenity Garden Tea House, a charming 1920’s converted farm house with antiques, shabby chic furniture, kitschy décor, miss-matched china and entire wall of teas and teapots in tea cozies. A rack of hats is tempting and the Irish owner, Audrey, encourages all guests to don hats and enjoy the tea experience.
We had pre-ordered the High Tea, but a full lunch menu with quiche, salads and sandwiches is also available. Royal High Tea, which includes a glass of bubbly, is also available as is wine and other beverages. At a leisurely pace we sipped our teas, as the first course of a warm potato, cauliflower and fennel soup was served in a bone china tea cup.
Topped with croutons it was creamy and very good. Next, a tiered tray of goodies was presented to us. The freshly made cranberry scones were still warm from the oven and served with the traditional strawberry jam, clotted cream and lemon curd. They were delicious. The next tier featured an assortment of delicate tea sandwiches of tuna salad, egg salad, turkey, tomato and cucumber. We nibbled on each one and they were gone within minutes. The top tier offered many colorful dessert options, including a chocolate brownie, macaron, lemon bar and frosted petit fours.
Enjoying the ambiance was easy, as, Audrey regaled us with stories about the tea house and its variety of visitors, from bridal and baby showers, book clubs, to organized bus tours.