Even if you're only here for the food, be prepared for the most beautiful stroll through the rose garden to afternoon tea.
The room is small but the noise levels are fairly contained, and the service is attentive with just the right amount of pampering.
There's a fair list of great teas, but we're sticking to the caffeine free this late in the afternoon. The Caramelized Pear has a rich caramel flavor, and the Rose Hips and Hibiscus is floral and fragrant.
The Scones are dense, one savory with the tang of sun-dried tomato and parmesan, one sweet with dots of berry. Load on the lemon curd and clotted cream.
The mains add up to a light but hearty lunch/brunch, each finger-sandwich as unique as the last. You can't have tea without a Cucumber Sandwich, and this one freshens up with microgreens. Egg Salad sits in a pastry cup, uplifted by a sprinkle of truffle salt. I love the little cheesy Quiche, and The Onion and Parsley has a nice pop. There's a sweeter-finish Chicken Salad that has a nice ratio of meat to mayo. I can't eat the Salmon, but it sounds like plenty of people would gladly help.
The desserts are always fun, but it's hard not to fill up on sandwiches first. The Key Lime Tart is bright and custard-y, the Rose Tea Panna Cotta is a lovely cream. Fresh strawberries would be better if dipped in chocolate, but you can always combine it with the Chocolate Cup and mascarpone cream.
A family-friendly experience, a fun side-trip from admiring the books and art galleries. Pricey but not outrageous, I'd come back again with family for sure, but I do wish they'd at least give you break on admission to the library.
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