Since it snowed on Valentine's weekend this year, my husband and I had to postpone our tradition of going to tea for Valentine's. Instead, our "Valentine's Tea" was observed yesterday at Rose Cottage, a tea room in Pine Mountain, a town famous for being the home of beautiful Callaway Gardens.
I have visited this tea room before with several girlfriends, but I believe my last visit was about five years ago, so I was pleased to find it is still open at a time when so many tea rooms in my area have closed. We arrived a few minutes early, but they were ready for us and we were promptly seated. I immediately gave them points for the pretty napkin fold!
Alex asked me to choose the teas for both of us, so I got Earl Grey for him and Paris for me, both (presumably) by Harney and Sons, whose teas were for sale in the well-stocked gift shop. "My" teapot had a design I've never seen before, and even though it wasn't my usual English roses and was a little more Asian looking, I really thought this was pretty. It was a Sadler teapot from England. (And yes, I carefully lifted it up to look on the bottom once the server stepped away. Don't tell me you haven't done that yourself on occasion!)
Our server, a young woman who managed to be both efficient and gracious, told us we got to choose a "side" with our tea, which I don't remember having when I was there before. The choices were fresh fruit, rice salad and pasta salad. I figured we'd get some fruit anyway, so I opted for the rice salad, which we both enjoyed with its nice crunch from the almonds and peppers.
The finger sandwiches and savories were actually my favorite part of this afternoon tea, and there were so very many (16 for the two of us!) we couldn't eat them all! Smoked salmon, cucumber dill, egg salad (on ciabatta bread) and a curried chicken salad (on a Ritz cracker).
On the "sweets" tray: jam, cream and strawberry curd; cheese scones and orange scones; and lemon curd and fruit tarts. (I knew there'd be fruit!) So even if Valentine's came late this year, I love that my sweetheart and I got to continue our tradition of taking tea together for Valentine's!Coming Tuesday: A very special guest will be here, and there will be a giveaway that is one of the best I've ever had the privilege of offering. I can't wait for you to read all about it!
Looks like you and Alex had a very nice afternoon tea. I wonder if the tearoom has changed owners since I was last there. Nice photos.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely sandwich presentation!
ReplyDeleteThink about any romantic show with dinner gift certificates are better!!!
ReplyDeleteAll looks delish. And precious time together is beyond measure!tammyp
ReplyDeleteOoh... so lovely!! And, yes, I do peek at the underside of dishes, teacups and teapots in tea rooms.
ReplyDeleteLovely presentation! I peek under cups, etc. Since my mother collected only English bone china cups, I like to see where others come from. Thanks for sharing. A little story about our snow! A young fellow wanted to give his girlfriend an engagement ring, but wanted to do it in a very different way. He made an ice room out of snow. The thing was huge (the snow is good for packing now) and he had candles all around and proposed to her that way. It as on the news and really a cute way of doing things. She was really impressed.
ReplyDeleteHow sweet and yummy looking! You're very lucky to have a husband that induldges your tea love with such a sweet tradition.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Southern Touch Catering, what a sweet husband you have. And I peek too! Once I was at friend's and peeked without thinking. She was right there, I was so embarrassed! We both laughed and she admitted she does it too.
ReplyDeleteAngela -- so glad you and your husband enjoyed such a wonderful teatime together. My town's lovely tea room, The Rose Garden, closed a few years ago. I still feel a little heart-hurt when I drive by the beautiful Victorian home where tea was served. B-)
ReplyDeleteAngela, what a nice Valentine's story and such beautiful photos! It all looks delicious. And your husband sounds like such a sweetheart and possibly a romantic? How nice!
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your reviews on the tea rooms - which ones have closed? (When we have out of town guests, it's nice to have a tea room to bring visitors to). I definitely miss "Miss Lila's Tea Room" in Fairburn. Every time I see that old home, I think of how it was once a beautiful tea room, years ago.
Have a great day,
Joanie
Every now and then (once or twice a year if I'm lucky) I am able to convince DH to come and have tea with me at one of the local tea places. He usually orders something "substantial" if they have it, like a shepherd's pie, but I secretly suspect he enjoys the dainty sandwiches and treats just as much! They're usually so delicious--how could he not? Rose Cottage looks really delightful, and your photos make my mouth water, Angela!
ReplyDeleteOoooh I am just drooooling at all the yummy tarts! Thanks for taking us along on your sweetheart of a date! Blessing!
ReplyDeleteI've never had the full tea at Rose Cottage, just the lunch. And they have the absolute best quiche I've ever tasted! But now I want to go back and have all of this!
ReplyDeleteThe tea looked wonderful. The sandwiches looked really filling. What a lovely tea to share for a late Valentine's.
ReplyDeleteOh and yes I look under the teapots and cups too. What fun!
ReplyDeleteLoved seeing the food and decor- what is better than a tea room? Nothing!
ReplyDeleteI feel like I've been out of blogland for so very long (darn that "real life"!) and it's been great to read back through your posts Angela. Congratulations on your getting to meet a favorite author and book give away, what a treat!
ReplyDeleteYour belated Valentine tea looks simply divine. If I could reach through my monitor and grab a few of those tea sammies, I certainly wood. Everything looks delicious!
Hope you're doing well! Thank you for your comments on Stitch Project, it was a fun thing to do.
Have a great day!
Oh darn it! I meant "would" not "wood"... shoot. Heehee.
ReplyDelete