Sometimes you just have to get all girly.
Case in point: A pre-Valentine's tea outing to the Mad Hatter Tea Room in Anoka. A darling little tea room (actually, two little tea rooms) with a small retail shop specializing in tea and tea accessories.
But also, and very importantly, a lovely tea menu. I know, I know--it's bad enough I'm going to make you drool with just the words, but now I'm going to add photos!
Of pretty tea china, beautifully set out. Next to a lovely teapot.
The tea of the day was rose marzipan. I admit to being a bit skeptical, thinking that sounded awfully sweet. It was sweet, but not overly so, with hints of vanilla. Not only did I like it, I ended up buying some to brew at home.
First course: raspberry white chocolate scones with sweet cream and raspberry preserves. Divine.
Second course: Tomato basil soup with cheddar-bacon crostini. The soup was flavorful with nice chunks of tomato, and really, how can you go wrong with a cheddar-bacon crostini?
The main course: "Love bird eggs", herbed cucumber, shrimp and artichoke in phyllo dough, cordon bleu crostini, basil strawberry crostini with goat cheese and balsamic glaze, and--tee hee--a bacon mac 'n' cheese bite. The bird egg wasn't my favorite, but oh, the crostinis, the cordon bleu, the shrimp and artichoke....
The dessert course. Chocolate truffle raspberry cheesecake. The cheesecake was light as could be, almost more of a mousse than a cheesecake, and the little chocolate truffle was so incredibly intense that I was actually glad it was only a bite.
Going out for tea is a delightful experience all by itself, but when the food is above and beyond what you might expect from a "specialty" event, it's just adding a heap of sweet cream to the scone.
I might also point out that the Mad Hatter Tea Room is having a special Kentucky Derby tea on May 5. Hats are strongly encouraged. Mint juleps and Southern food will be served. How I wish I could be there. But if you can, make your reservation now--space is limited, and I'm quite sure there's fun and good food to be had.
Oh, yum. I love a proper tea. I think I had my first at Naniboujou Lodge, and have been making white chocolate chunk scones ever since!
Posted by: Kristin Boldon | February 17, 2012 at 09:18 AM
Lordy, those scones. I need tea again after reading this! And I think I may have to buy some of those teapot warmers. They do work well.
Posted by: Miss T | February 23, 2012 at 08:27 AM
I'm not into the "tea scene," but my, the food looks/soundsabsolutely delicious. I can almost taste that tomato basil soup and that cheesecake. Yum.
Posted by: Minnesota Prairie Roots | February 24, 2012 at 01:24 PM
The food was amazing. Definitely above and beyond what might be expected.
Posted by: Amy Rea | February 24, 2012 at 02:16 PM
OMG, that's adorable! Reminds me of our recently defunct tearoom. They gave you the bill in an old Jane Austen hardback.
Posted by: Carrie#K | March 09, 2012 at 08:32 PM