Where: Downtown Alpharetta, Georgia Style: Historic teahouse Tea Selection: 24+ loose leaf teas Teatimes: Tuesday to Friday 10 to 1:30, Saturday to Sunday, 12:30, 3 or 5:30; Private parties by reservation daily Reservations: Required Contact: 678-399-9964 or Reserve here Cost: $55.95 High Tea;$45.95 Afternoon Tea; $34.95 Children’s Afternoon Tea Destination Tea Tip: Reservations book out weeks in advance at this newly opened teahouse, so do not wait to reserve your teatime.
Destination Tea Notes: Tea friends, Alpharetta’s new teahouse, The Ginger Room, is one for your destination tea bucket list. What makes it especially fabulous, beyond the beautifully redecorated interior in Alpharetta’s oldest home, is what owners Angela Avery and Dr. Karl Walbrook bring to this tea service: an emphasis on sourcing product locally, Dr. Karl’s Central London upbringing, and a bit of pageantry. The couple’s first business — Ginger Yums (all-natural ginger juices) — still sells at Atlanta farmers markets, but now is also available at the teahouse, along with a slate of coffee, drinking chocolate, desserts, sandwiches and savories like quiche and tomato pie. You can come for afternoon tea during the week, but then you’d miss Dr. Karl and Angela presenting their afternoon tea service before the weekend seatings. Only rarely have we experienced hosts addressing all their guests in a formal presentation like this one, introducing themselves, pointing out special elements of the 165-year-old teahouse and sharing some teatime etiquette tips. It is very obvious that Angela and Dr. Karl take pleasure in what they have created, and it is a joy to watch the smiling pair invite their guests to be as fancy as they like while luxuriating over afternoon tea, rightly reminding us, “the conversation is the meal.” They’re being too humble on that point: their afternoon tea tray loaded with soft, dainty and delicious sandwiches, Dr. Karl’s freshly baked scones, and locally made treats is one of our favorites yet.
During the summer, Cinderella’s carriage appears on the front lawn as another beautiful photo setting.
The Ginger Room incorporates special touches into every aspect of its design. Look at the detail at the top of these outdoor lanterns.
Pop-in customers can order a variety of many times locally sourced beverages and scratchmade luncheon fare at this counter to the right of the foyer.
Loving the fireplace as a home for these beautiful teapots (more than the shelves can hold!)
We are sat in the front Parlor, beneath antique chandelier. Love the idea of using color on the ceiling and trim.
Built in 1856 for a local physician and the city’s first postmaster, the Skelton-Teasley House likely was the scene of many an afternoon tea, where guests may have milled across these very floors and leaned against this mantle (both original to the house) as they enjoyed a social visit.
We applaud the use of antique sofas for seating, recalling the original setting of afternoon tea – the drawing room. A back door opens onto the Parterre, where guests may enjoy outdoor dining. Passing through to the last room…
You find the Walbrook room which is perfectly sized to seat private parties of 6 to 8.
The Walbrook room gets a summer makeover.
Antiques abound in The Ginger Room. The lyre back chair is a centuries-old design.
Appreciating the thoughtful touches we find upon being seated: name card and fresh flowers.
Tea Service
A welcome sight upon entering The Ginger Room: we always appreciate the chance to explore the aromas of our potential tea choices.
Tea kettles that bring the water to perfect temperature
Mix-n-match china delights us as we inspect each other’s lovely teacups and teapots (which are set empty on the table, one per person).
On our return visits, we discover that The Ginger Room introduces new teas to pair with every season.
The first time we see tea served in this manner. In another moment of showmanship, tea is decanted in silver teapots in back and then transferred into our ready china teapots at a central table.
With help from the tea menu’s tasting notes (love this!), each guest chooses one tea for their pot, which holds at least 5 cups each. We sample Fortnum & Mason’s Fortmason black tea blend, Atlanta-made Chai Box with black tea, cardamom and rose, and Tea Drops’ Ginger Peach Cobbler with organic ginger, peach, ground cinnamon and lemon.
We can say with confidence that this is the only afternoon tea that includes a petite mug of fresh ginger juice, which is a welcome surprise, and a smart product sample of Ginger Yums’ juices.
Scones & Spreads, Savories and Sweets
Dr. Karl kicks off teatime with a short talk about the teahouse’s background and some tea etiquette tips. It’s quite special to have the scone master himself pop out to greet the guests.
Just look at this 3-tiered tray!! Angela herself presents the tray, saying, “Welcome to The Ginger Room, ladies, it’s showtime.” And so it is! The scones are warm, SIX kinds of tea sandwich make up the first course, and we love the teahouse initials, which we soon discover are not just for show.
Try not to inhale these scrumptious tea sandwiches: Classic Cucumber, Smoked Gouda Pimiento, Pickled Pepper Avocado, Angela’s Own Coronation Chicken (made with curry), Smoked Salmon and Dill and Egg Salad.
Scones freshly made by Dr. Karl are accompanied by clotted cream, strawberry jam and imported Fortnum & Mason lemon curd and ginger preserve.
We delight at cream, jam and lemon curd served in dainty footed glass dishes.
Rather than one each per person, dessert is a medley that you choose how to divvy up: Battenberg cake, petits fours, macaron, mini ginger donut, strawberry cheesecake truffle and iced teapot cookie with gold crown and stars.
Angela happily welcomes the creativity of her local vendors, who introduce this bejeweled heart chocolate that almost looks too glamorous to eat.
A happy sight
High Tea
All of the above, plus a first course of Savory of Your Choice makes for a High Tea at The Ginger Room. The day’s specials may include any of the following, or something new: Fresh Salmon En-croute (salmon, spinach, pesto cream cheese in a puff pastry), Beef En-croute (classic take on beef wellington, beef, mushrooms, brown sauce in puff pastry), Quiche Lorraine (ham, onions, asiago), Roswell Quiche (spinach, mushroom, tomatoes, goat cheese), Tomato Pie (tomato, cheddar), Sausage Ricotta Pie (with spinach), Turkey & Gouda Croissant, Beef & Cheddar Croissant or Ham & Cheddar Croissant. We find out Sausage Ricotta Pie served with fresh greens tasty, but decide that an afternoon tea is plenty filling without this extra course.
Tea fascinator face on this Ginger Room mannequin
Forgot your gloves? The Ginger Room has you covered. These would also make a perfect thank you gift if your friend treats you to tea.
You may find you can take home more of what you love from your afternoon tea, as The Ginger Room retails many of its locally sourced beverages and goodies.
Christmas at The Ginger Room
Cinderella’s Carriage moves to the back patio for outdoor winter teas.
Sheltered under an open-sided tent, the carriage is decorated for Christmas, another great photo op.
Inside, the Walbrook Room is ready to welcome holiday guests.
What a cool concept: a teacup advent calendar!
When my niece’s girl scout troop visits The Ginger Room for a Christmas tea, I do a brief talk about the history and etiquette of tea. These are some smart fourth graders! They explain that at one time in our history, Americans didn’t like tea very much because it was being so heavily taxed by the British, which led to the Boston Tea Party. Thankfully, we worked out that relationship and are back to enjoying tea!
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