Rowmantic Rowes Wharf Sea Grill – Boston

The truth is, we all dream of romance. Even cynical, sarcastic me. We sit through movies that induce a gag reflex in any sensible person as we secretly desire the men in it. These unrealistic Romeos spontaneously write poems, scatter rose petals around a candlelit room, and break into love songs in the middle of a city street (cabs don’t stop for you in real life…). We dream and we scheme but we forget the most important relationship we have: our relationship with ourselves. So let’s quit waiting for someone else to complete us. Let’s write our own love story, one that starts with loving ourselves.

We toil at the gym, we sweat in the sauna, and we eat less than half the things we love for fear of becoming undesirable. But real beauty lies within, and at Rowe’s afternoon tea you are what you eat. So start your most important relationship right. Get yourself the Fall Harvest, a little feast for the cost of a dozen roses. Rowes even scatters the rose petals for you, which saves you the trouble of plucking them yourself and delivers you from the doldrums of a date. Tired of dining alone? Go on a girl-date, the best kind of date with more than one person. Write your own Boston spin-off of Sex and the City and catch up on each other’s lives with your pinkies curled. Sip your tea daintily and as you wash down ladylike bites of Scones.

The Coffeecake under the scones may look little but they’re about as dainty as a real girl’s appetite. Dense and filling, they’re a challenge after those scones, but when you’re in such excellent company, be it that of your friends or yourself, how can you give anything less than your best indulgent effort?

Let the self-love flow and let the girly gossip run like a river as you start on the bite-sized “Sandwiches”. The smoked salmon is fresh, the lobster salad is light, and don’t forget to think of just how much you deserve every last bite. Because the only person who doesn’t know you’re beautiful is you. (Tara, Shamini, I’m talking to you).

Take the time to tickle your fancy with your velvety rose petals. With the slow service at Rowe’s, make sure you bring girlfriends you like because the leisurely lull of a tea service, however appealing, is not one that allows you to make a quick getaway.

Feed yourself a festive bite of Cheesecake or start your fall off right with a spiced morsel of Pumpkin Pie. Feed a few bites to your friends too – they spun and downward-dogged by your side through spinning and yoga so they can have their cake and eat it with you. Save the Salted Caramel Profiterole for yourself – that gooey little 3-bite wonder is too good to give away. Besides, you deserve the best.

Speaking of things too good to give away, hang on to your heart a little longer. Save it for the suitor who makes the tea and scatters the rose petals himself. But be more giving to your girlfriends. They’ll stand by you long after they guys come and go. Pour you heart out to them as you share this table, but also go home and pluck your own rose petals and light some scented candles for yourself. You deserve it and don’t you ever let anyone make you believe otherwise.