A Proper English Tea – Travel to English Rose Tea Room
Posted in Food, Restaurant, Romantic Locations, Southwest, Travel | By Shelley Gillespie | Tags: Food, Restaurant, Southwest, Tea, Travel
Proprietor Joanne Gemmill knows about a true English tea since she grew up in the south of England. Once she transplanted herself to Arizona, it was natural for her to continue her tradition of tea and share that with people so they would
Proprietor Joanne Gemmill
“ Take time out from their busy lives and wallow in tea and tranquility.”
These days, everyone can use some tranquility.
Some permanent visitors to the Tea Room
The day we visited the English Rose Tea Room, during Carefree’s 25th anniversary celebration, tranquility was more like bustling groups of people waiting to be seated at the English Rose Tea Room.
Tea cake display
Imagine a room and patio with mostly women dressed in frilly clothes, with party hats, trays of scones and little tea cakes, and – of course – pots of tea. A festive atmosphere pervades as people behave in a most civil and relaxed manner.
English Rose Tea Room entrance
Ms Gemmill greets everyone; Natasha serves on the patio, everything is handled efficiently, but politely despite the crowd waiting for a table.
In one corner of the patio, a birthday party for some young girls – all dressed in finery – is happening. Some women of more august age are at other tables, sipping tea and nibbling sandwiches and pastries.
A pot of tea, loose tea, required a strainer placed over the teacup to provide the savory brew. We had ordered a large pot of African Rooibos (4-6 cups for $6.95), which has some “oomph” to it, but are caffeine-free. Except for the one time I forgot to place the strainer over the teacup and wound up with tea leaves in my cup, we had an elegant time.
My “Soup and Sandwich Selection” was elegantly presented surrounding a cup of homemade tomato soup with shell pasta. The two-each chicken half sandwiches, with walnut on its edge was my favorite, but the cucumber and orange mint butter was refreshing and the smoked salmon with cream cheese and lemon was a fine contrast to the other flavors. “Cottage Pie,” a shepherd’s pie with its usual mashed potato topping, was heartier and obviously satisfying as my husband ate every morsel.
Drinking tea is such a civilized pastime that it is almost impossible not to relax when enjoying the tea. Conversation flourishes as people engage in the niceties of this ritual. Some patrons were sitting at a table with a three-tier cake stand, nibbling the sandwiches, scones, and petit fours that accompany the formal afternoon tea. They were still there when we left. No one rushes.
The flowery china patterns – all different for each place setting – provide a contrast to the usual institutional settings at most restaurants. The décor is also flowery, but in an elegant way.
Even though we had been seated for well over an hour, I was regretful when we were ready to leave. The visit was a peaceful respite in the midst of a hectic life.
We can all use more interludes like that!
The English Rose Tea Room offers tea for sale, caters to private parties and opens except daily for Sunday. Their last seating is at 4:00 PM. They are, fittingly, located on Easy Street in Carefree, Arizona.
Tomorrow… Join us as we travel back to Alaska for an adventure on a sternwheeler.
Tags: Food, Restaurant, Southwest, Tea, Travel