The tea room
is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day, 12:00
to 4:00, everyday except Monday, and cream
teas are served in the flower garden or, on
damp days, in a little plant-filled conservatory.
It is operated by
Rachel's mother, Judith Kane. Being an Englishwoman,
Judith knows a thing or two about tea. She
certainly doesn't care for the pale and tepid
stuff that passes for tea so typically served
in restaurants. The old English adage "take
the pot to the kettle not the kettle to the
pot" is her motto. Here you will find
good tea made with boiling water, steeped
and served in a china pot.She makes the scones
herself every morning, from a tried and true
recipe, and she also makes the jam.
A full Cream
Tea consists of fresh home-baked scones, served
with freshly whipped cream and homemade jam,
plus cucumber & herb sandwiches, and a
choice of hot or cold drinks. The cost of
a standard cream tea is less than $10.00 per
person (not including tax or tip).The tea
list includes over 30 choices of black, green
and herbal teas, including classics such as
English Breakfast, Earl Grey and Lapsang Souchong
as well as more unusual types, such as Rooibos
(Red Bush), Peach Melba and Rose Petal. Naturally,
we also make coffee for those desiring a stronger
brew, using Vermont Coffee Company beans.
A nice selection of locally made cakes and
tarts will also be found on the menu.
In
2007 our opening day is Saturday, May 26 and
our last open day is Sunday Sept. 2.
Reservations
for tea are recommended.Please call us a day
or two beforehand, or, if on the same day,
before 10:30 am if possible.
Large groups
(of 10 or more) should try to give us one
or two weeks notice.
If you are
not able to make a reservation, we are usually,
but not always, able to fit you in, although
you may have a bit of a wait! Very occasionally
we are booked for private parties, and will
be closed to the public - we don't want to
disappoint you by turning you away. Give us
a quick call!
To make a reservation,
call 802-472-5104 (please do not email us
for a reservation – we probably won't
read it in time). If no-one picks up the phone,
you may leave your reservation information
with the answering machine, and we will call
you back ONLY if there is a problem. Give
us your Name, the Number of people coming,
the Time you plan on arriving, and your Phone
number. Please note:It sometimes happens that
we receive a reservation on the answering
machine so late that we have no time to alert
you if we are filled up, so please call before
10:30 am.