Many, many, many months ago I asked around for recommendations of where to go for a nice afternoon or high tea. I love tea (even in this heat) and I particularly love the ritual of taking time out to enjoy a cup of well-brewed leaves (not to mention the scones and other goodies that usually come with.) Folks from across Central New York wrote back with suggestions and I vowed to compile and disemmenate the findings.
It turns out, there are all sorts of great places to get tea around here. Here are some links and helpful commentary from the folks in the know.
White Dove Tea Room
745 N. Salina Street; 315-474-1126
* Afternoon tea, a good cuppa anytime.
* English style tea service.
* Teabags prepared in a teapot.
This is a fairly new tea room that has only been open for about a year. It's in an area that's going through urban renewal. At the moment it is open Tuesday through Saturday. We had a lovely afternoon tea. The food was absolutely delicious, perhaps because the owner is also a caterer. There were some unusual offerings including a wonderful caramel pecan (I think) sweet roll. They had Stash and Bigelow tea in bags but also had a few Harney & Sons loose leaf teas. The white tea that I had was very good. The décor was very tasteful and not as busy and fussy as some tea rooms. There were a few teacups, creamers, etc. for sale. You could also purchase some of the delicious sweets including the wonderful gingerbread. Please visit this tea room if you are in the Syracuse area. It's worth the trip. www.thewhitedovetearoom.com
Grammie's Pantry [Tea room and merchant]
1126 Woodworth Road; 315-636-8111or 607-749-6434
Open April through December: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, 11am to 4pm. Breakfast tea served Saturday only; Victorian English tea served daily. The tea room is a one-room school house circa 1817, nestled in the woods with our perennial gardens and a stream running behind it. Teas, teapots, teacups, and accessories in the gift shop. Private tea parties. www.grammiespantry.com
Roji Tea Lounge [Tea room]
100 East Washington Street; 315-428-0844
* Tea lounge/tea bar ambiance.
* Theme teas.
* Asian style tea service.
* Loose leaf tea prepared in teapot or gaiwan.
* Bubble tea; chai and tea beverages.
* Smoke-free.
* Vegetarian menu choices.
* Credit cards.
Hours Tuesday through Thursday, 2 to 10pm; Friday and Saturday, 3pm to 12midnight; Sunday to 10pm. http://www.roji-tealounge.com/home.html
In addition, the following Bed and Breakfasts and Inns often serve afternoon tea.
A Bed & Breakfast Giddings Garden
290 W. Seneca Turnpike
Syracuse, NY 13207
Toll free: 800-377-3452
315-492-6389
Pat and Nancie Roberts
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.giddingsgarden.com
Bed & Breakfast Wellington
707 Danforth Street
Syracuse, NY 13208
Toll free: 800-724-5006
315-474-3641 Fax: (315)474-2557
Wendy Wilber and Ray Borg
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.bbwellington.com Try us. We are a truly unique experience.
Credit Cards: AMEX V MC DIS DC
Mackenzie-Childs in Aurora has served a fabulous afternoon tea in the past. I didn't see it on their current website, but they would be worth a call--and definitely worth a trip. 315-364-7123
Their website is:
www.mackenzie-childs.com
Thanks to Lynda Helmer, Lisa Van Vorce, Robn Vinette, Becky Livengood, Debbie Nettle, Emily Gibson, and the many others who sent in their suggestions!
The thing about Mackenzie Childs is that the artists and founders, Richard and Victoria Mackenzie Childs had a financial crisis and their company was bought away from them. Now the new owners have actually sued them to forbid them to use their own names, either first or last (!) on any new designs they might make. So not only is the store not the same, but it is actually a really sad and rather vicious appropriation of the original vision.
Posted by: spring | November 12, 2006 at 01:00 PM