Destination Tea: The Grande Event

Where: Ball Ground, Georgia
Style:  Early 1900s Southern home
Tea Selection:  20+ loose leaf teas
Teatimes:  Tuesday to Saturday, 11, 1 or 3
Reservations: Reservations required
Contact: 770-568-3945 or reserve here
Cost: $35 Seasonal Afternoon Tea; $30 The Southern Charm Afternoon Tea; $25 The Duchess of Bedford Afternoon Tea; $20 Teen Tea (ages 11 to 17); $18 The Light Afternoon Tea; $16 Princess/Superhero Tea (ages 6 to 10); $13 Cream Tea
Destination Tea Tip: The Grande Event is reservation only, for their lunch service as well, which includes salads, sandwiches and tea plates.

Prices and teatimes are subject to change. Please see our Georgia Afternoon Tea Directory for the latest details.

afternoon tea at The Grande Event in Ball Ground, GA

Destination Tea Notes: About one hour north of Atlanta, Carolyn Lyle opened The Grande Event teahouse this summer, in a beautifully renovated early 20th century home. With preserved original walls, floors and hardware, the rooms here are picture-ready for elegantly dressed friends to capture a memorable teatime photo. Don’t come here expecting the dainty finger sandwiches of a British afternoon tea. Cara’s years of catering experience show in how she styles her menus, featuring many of the favorites served in a traditional Southern tearoom, with scone and dessert selections changing daily. Each guest is asked to choose their own menu, perfect to accommodate friends with varying appetites. Friendly, accommodating servers check on us to make sure we have everything we need, but never make us feel rushed. It’s early days at this new teahouse, and we look forward to return visits to see how The Grande Event develops its offerings (like new Harvest and Christmas afternoon tea menus) and expands its gift shop to feature more local vendors.

welcome to afternoon tea at The Grande Event in Ball Ground, GA
loving the blue walls at afternoon tea at The Grande Event in Ball Ground, GA
At the front of the teahouse, two bright front rooms are warmed by wood ceilings.
wood ceilings at afternoon tea at The Grande Event in Ball Ground, GA
White floors, walls, curtains, lighting and tablecloths in the front Parlour.
the parlour at afternoon tea at The Grande Event in Ball Ground, GA
Welcome to The Grande Event
gift shop at afternoon tea at The Grande Event in Ball Ground, GA
The length of the hallway displays gifts.
our tea table at afternoon tea at The Grande Event in Ball Ground, GA
Our window-lit table at the ready, with a sweet touch of chair sashes
bridal showers at afternoon tea at The Grande Event in Ball Ground, GA
Our room might be one for bridal showers with this wall art: I am in love. Do you love me? I love you. You are beautiful. You fascinate me. You make me happy. You are the love of my life. I need you. Will you marry me?
back sun room at afternoon tea at The Grande Event in Ball Ground, GA
Paned windows wrap around The Looking Glass room at the back of the teahouse,
decorated in black, white and pink.

Tea Selection

pretty teapot at afternoon tea at The Grande Event in Ball Ground, GA
Hello, Pretty Lady (talking to the teapot). Each menu comes with a pot of tea from a list with tempting flavors like Eiffel Tower (black tea with vanilla, caramel, bergamot), London Bridge (black tea with dried stone fruit, bergamot), Rich Caramel Toffee and Lady Blue (Ceylon with passionfruit, grapefruit, orange and grenadine flavors).
honey vials at afternoon tea at The Grande Event in Ball Ground, GA
A cute addition to the sweeteners – little vials of honey

Scones & Spreads, Savories and Sweets

garden salad with fried green tomato at afternoon tea at The Grande Event in Ball Ground, GA
A garden salad is served on pretty glass fan plates. The Southern Charm Afternoon Tea includes a fried green tomato topped with pimiento cheese, while The Duchess of Bedford Afternoon Tea has a choice of soup or a half chicken salad sandwich.
three-tiered tray at afternoon tea at The Grande Event in Ball Ground, GA
Our tower included three afternoon tea menus (The Grande/seasonal, The Southern Charm and The Duchess of Bedford).
tea sandwiches at afternoon tea at The Grande Event in Ball Ground, GA
Overall, we would appreciate a tidier tea sandwich presentation, as afternoon tea finger foods are meant to be edible without muss. The Duchess of Bedford savories (bottom right) include: creamy egg salad, cucumber sandwich, harvest tuna salad, turkey and ham pinwheel. The Southern savories (top right) include: chicken salad croissant, deviled egg, stuffed tomato, ham biscuit and cucumber sandwich/benedictine (a Kentucky Derby cucumber-onion spread). The Seasonal savories (at left) include: chicken caprese, bacon bleu with salmon mousse, profiterole with house pimiento cheese and turkey apple sandwich.
scones at afternoon tea at The Grande Event in Ball Ground, GA
A generous number of scones come with each tea menu, served with creamed curd and herb butter: Herb and Cheddar, glazed Cranberry White Chocolate and glazed Maple Cream.
desserts at afternoon tea at The Grande Event in Ball Ground, GA
The dessert selection for the day includes: mini pound cakes, espresso brownies and cranberry cheesecake bars.
DestinationTea
Tea Voyageuse, discovering the world of afternoon tea, based in Atlanta, Georgia.

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