Where: Marietta, Georgia Style: Secret tearoom Tea Selection: 6+ British bagged teas Teatimes: Friday, 11, 1 or 2:30 Reservations: Reservations required Contact: 678-483-0900 Cost: $34.99 Light Tea (ages 12 and up only) Destination Tea Tip: This tearoom can seat up to 9 guests. Leave time to explore the vast grocery, home and gift shop stocked with British/European imports.
Destination Tea Notes: Having grown up just miles away from William Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon, Samantha Garamond opened The Queen’s Pantry in 2012, bringing her favorite British products to Georgia. Two years ago, she moved the business to a larger space in the same plaza, whose buildout included the addition of a quiet tearoom at the back of the shop. Sam works with a caterer and incorporates British products she stocks, to offer an afternoon tea such as she grew up with. This afternoon tea is actually billed as a “cream tea,” (which would simply include scones, clotted cream, preserves and tea), but Sam has added finger sandwiches and a sweet bite to the offering. She warns, there will be no exotic sandwich fillings or lemon curd at her conventional English tea service. In fact, one of the highlights of this experience is the self-deprecating wit and charm of Sam herself. She personally serves us, taking care to make sure we have everything we need, but also leaving us plenty of time to chat.
We spied stovetop and electric tea kettles by Italian manufacturer Smeg. You’ll find the tearoom at the rear of this large retail space.
After checking in at the register, look for the tearoom entrance just past the Princess and Prince of Wales.
Sam’s Toby Jug and Character Jug collection sits above the door to this sweet room decorated with vintage embroidered tablecloths and mix-n-match china settings.
Tea Selection
Appreciating the printed menus and bottomless pots of tea!
Sam presents us with a selection of bagged teas by British purveyors Taylors of Harrogate and Fortnum & Mason, amongst others, in popular varieties – Earl Grey, Chai, Black — as well as decaffeinated options upon request, served in her beautiful collection of teapots.
Loving that Sam properly steeps all our teas, and is happy to swap them out so we can try others.
Scones & Spreads, Savories and Sweets
Tiered trays arrive, offering each guest 6 finger sandwiches (3 flavors on white and wheat bread), one scone with clotted cream and jam, and a Battenberg bite.
Alternating white and wheat bread creates an attractive pattern for the three finger sandwich fillings, generously serving 6 per person: Cucumber and Cream Cheese, Egg Salad, and Cheddar Cheese served with a side of Branston’s Pickle (below). Some commented that they wanted more flavor in these sandwiches, perhaps spice or a fresh herb, while others enjoyed the soft bread and traditional fillings.
For anyone wanting to spice up their tea sandwiches, the proffered Branston Pickle is a 100-year-old condiment from England, made from pickling diced vegetables such as carrot, rutabaga, onion and cauliflower in a sauce of vinegar, tomato, date, apple and spices. Angela likened the flavor to a Worcestershire sauce, and we paired it with our cheese sandwich.
Each guest was offered a choice of Sultana (raisin), Cherry or Plain scone. Although Haywood & Padgett has been making these authentic British scones for thirty years, several ladies in our group declined to finish theirs, because there’s nothing like a freshly baked scone soft enough to split open with your two hands. We did appreciate that true clotted cream was provided. And we all enjoyed our bite of Battenburg cake, which as some of us at the table personally know, is quite the thing to assemble (Angela made a six-checkered version at the TeaTime in Alabama Retreat).
Popular teas typically found abroad are for sale (and we spotted the oft-served Barry’s Tea from our Ireland travels).
Scones for sale, the same served at the afternoon tea. Perhaps a quick sprinkle of water before reheating would help soften and moisten these for serving (much like you might bring a slightly stale bagel back to life).
Quilling cards with iconic British images
Fittingly, you can find afternoon tea flavors in the candle section.
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