The Tea Garden Café |
After strolling the gardens, why not enjoy a little
civilized refreshment in our tea room? |
The Tea Garden Café is open summer afternoons from Memorial Day to Labor Day, from 11:30 to 4:00, every day but Monday. Teas are served in the flower garden, under a covered porch or, when the weather is inclement, in a little plant-filled conservatory. Reservations for tea are recommended (please see below). |
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Serving Cream Teas Since 1985 |
Sometime in the mid-80s, Rachel and Judith were returning from a summer drive visiting other gardens, and combined their voices in a frequent plaint, the general gist of which was “Couldn’t I just murder a cup of tea!” As we bemoaned the lack of a good tea room – any tea room, for that matter, Judith, with the fervor born of a true Britisher, decided then and there to rectify this sorry state of affairs by opening her own tea room at the nursery.
Beginning with a classic English Cream Tea menu of tea, scones and cucumber sandwiches, the menu has steadily expanded to include a wide variety of cakes, savory plates and ice creams. The menu is a la carte, and one can order anything from a simple pot of tea to a splendid Deluxe Tea, which qualifies as a substantial lunch. And yes, we even serve coffee!
Tea is a delightful and affordable way to entertain friends, and is a memorable way to celebrate events and gentle occasions such as engagement and graduation parties, bridal and baby showers, and retirement parties. Combined with the pretty and educational display gardens, it makes a fine outing for any garden club, and is a perfect venue for Red Hat Society ladies to strut their stuff.
We hope to see you this summer. |
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Tea Dates in 2010
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Saturday, May 22: Open for the regular season, 11:30 – 4:00, Tuesday through Sunday.
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Sunday May 9, Mother’s Day Tea: With a special set menu, by reservation only. Mothers will receive a complimentary nosegay of spring flowers.
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Sunday June 20, Father’s Day Tea: The croquet lawn will be set up for games, and fathers will receive a complimentary boutonniere.
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| Sunday, September 5: Last open tea day. |
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The Tea Room Menu |
Rachel’s mother, Judith Kane, operates the tea room. 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 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. Our neighbor and friend Eva Gage, a talented cook and baker, adds special savories and desserts to the menu on a daily basis.
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What is a Cream Tea? |
Cream Tea is an afternoon repast, which invariably includes scones and cream. (High Tea, by the way, is something quite different, more on the lines of a simple working-class supper than a raised pinkie affair with cakes and dainties.) We offer several options, from a light Petite Tea to a substantial Deluxe Tea luncheon. Our most popular Full English Cream Tea consists of two home-baked scones, served with freshly whipped cream and homemade jam, plus cucumber & herb sandwiches, and a choice of hot or cold drink. Typical savory plates have included Artichoke Pesto, Mushroom Walnut Pate, and Tomato & Smoked Edam Tart. All menu items are vegetarian.
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Tea List |
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. For cold drinks, you can try iced tea or coffee, lemonade or spritzers.
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Cakes, Ice Creams, Special Desserts |
A delicious selection of in-house and locally made cakes and tarts will be found on the menu, such as Five Nut Tart, Lemon Poppy Seed Cake and Chocolate Torte. Ice Cream sundaes are served with homemade chocolate and fruit sauces. Among the most popular desserts this past summer were the Knickerbocker Glory and the Auntie Greta special, which is what we call any seriously over-the-top dessert (ask Judith about her Auntie Greta!) For parties and events, we can prepare special menus and cakes.
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Cost |
There is no fixed menu - if you are on a budget, or in-between meals, you can simply order a pot of tea. The cost of the cream teas range from $9.95 to $25.95, not including tax or tip, depending on your choice. Cakes and desserts are in the $5-7.00 range.
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Parties, Special Occasions and Large Groups |
Tea is a delightful way to entertain friends, and is a memorable way to celebrate events, or to hold a small meeting. For private reservations, you may book either the screen porch or greenhouse for a minimum of 2 hours. Each holds 12 people comfortably. The menu can be specialized for your group.
Under cover, and spread between the screen porch, covered patio and greenhouse, we can seat 30 people. For larger groups, we are at the mercy of the weather.
Groups of 10 or more should try to give us one or two weeks notice. Groups of 20 to 40 should give us one months notice.
Private Garden Tours can also be arranged for your group.
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Reservations for Tea are Recommended |
Please call 802-472-5104, hopefully before 10:30 am.
Please do not email us for a reservation.
If the weather is iffy, please call us to confirm or cancel, as covered seating is limited. |
If you are not able to make a reservation, we are usually, but not always, able to fit you in, although there may be 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. Do give us a quick call! Please do not email reservations, as we generally forget to check, and will look at you rather blankly when you turn up.
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To Make A Reservation: |
To make a reservation, call 802-472-5104 (before 10:30 am if possible)
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 which will prevent us from serving you at the time you prefer.
Leave your Name, the Number of people coming, the Time you plan on arriving, and your Phone number.
Please bear in mind!: It sometimes happens that we receive a reservation on the answering machine so late in the day that we don’t time to alert you if we can’t fit you in. Or, we find we didn’t bake enough scones! Try to call us before 10:30 am, or, if later, please call us back, and hopefully someone will pick up at that time. |
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