Last October I blogged about visiting the nearby city of Berkley, Michigan [see post here]. A lady in one of the shops told me about a nearby restaurant, O'Mara's, that serves Afternoon Tea every Tuesday, by reservation only. It's been on my list of places to go for five months now, and my girlfriend and I finally went yesterday - just in time for St. Patrick's Day!
Hummm... what to wear? This?
Or this?
I opted for outfit #1 and will save outfit #2 for Sunday! ;-)
O'Mara's.
O'Mara's.
The room where Afternoon Tea was served was the perfect setting for an Irish themed tea. Their theme for March is "A Taste of Ireland." [The themes change every month.]
There were fifteen ladies in attendance.
Our table
The menu
My place setting. I love the white dishes that go with any theme.
Our attentive server, Diane.
Our freshly brewed loose-leaf tea was placed in tea-sacs to steep. A dish and tongs were provided to decant the pot for those who wished to do so. Diane kept the teapots filled with hot water throughout the tea. Each guest had their own individual teapot, and choice from four tea offerings. I chose Irish Breakfast.
The tea meal began with a bowl of soup. There were two offerings: O'Mara's Irish Cream of Potato and Salmon Chowder. I chose the potato soup. It was delicious.
Next came the tiered server with Orange Scones and four Savories - a Sausage Roll, Goat Cheese sandwich with Watercress, Shamrock Corned Beef sandwich, and a Walnut Tea sandwich.
My dear friend and tea buddy, Lori.
Orange Scone and Devonshire Cream
Four Savories
Fresh Fruit [Watermelon Honeydew, fresh Pineapple, and Strawberries], with Baked Brie and Crackers.
Slice of Irish Cheese/Chicken/Tarragon and Pea Quiche
Dessert Course: Rye Shortbread Cookie, Anita's Hundreds & Thousands [an Australian dessert of white bread, unsalted butter and sprinkles], and a square of Pound Cake with Vanilla Frosting rolled in crushed peanuts.
What a fabulous tea! I'm glad they told me when I made our reservation to come hungry, because there would be a lot of food. All this for $20 plus tax and gratuity, which figured out to approximately $25. It was worth every penny!
They normally feature a cooking demonstration at the teas by their chef, Anita Kern, but she couldn't be at yesterday's tea.
Lori and I concluded we will definitely be at their April Tea, which has a Spring theme. I can't believe I've been missing out on O'Mara's fabulous teas, and I will definitely be spreading the word!
When we left O'Mara's, we went to KrisTea's - the shop who told me about O'Mara's - and browsed around. Lori and I both bought something to remember our day. This is the teacup I purchased - an Elizabethan Fine Bone China, made in England.
We browsed through another antique store in Berkley before heading home. It was a perfect afternoon!
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Today I'm linking to Bernideen's Tea Time Blog for "Friends Sharing Tea."
Dear Phyllis,
ReplyDeleteThat was a great day.I can't believe how much food they included in their tea. It all looks delish too. What a cute place. So glad you ended the day by finding a green teacup to mark the occasion. :)
Slainte! Ruthie
Oh, what fun! To start with, how nice to be able to choose appropriate St. Patrick's day apparel - either outfit would have been great but I really liked #1, too. The food looked divine, the setting was perfect, and oh, I wish I were close enough to join you for the next tea! Love your souvenir, too, what a lovely green teacup you found.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun menu and that they are trying to establish a tea clintele. I think they are on to something great! The only tea room on the west side of Colorado Springs - just closed. It looks like you and your friend had a great time!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful place and so perfect for this week. You look so festive! The menu looks wonderful and the price quite good. So glad you shared your wonderful tea with us.
ReplyDeleteRuth
Wonderful Place for Tea! I love the Irish decor. The tea menu is so perfect for a St. Patrick's Day tea. The white china was gorgeous and I see the happy smiles on your faces in the photo. Love you gold and green teacup and saucer and will be perfect to drink tea from on March 17th.
ReplyDeletePam
Just lovely --- a well-presented afternoon tea. You looked so nice in your outfit, too!
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely tea! Happy St. Patrick's Day, Phyllis!
ReplyDeleteWow, this looks like a great tea, and I wouldn't have expected this at such a restaurant! Glad you learned of it ... and now I can't wait to see what April brings!
ReplyDeleteThis does look like a special tea event.
ReplyDeleteHow special to have a tea buddy that is up for all the tea adventures you take. That is so special.
All the food looks LUSH.
ReplyDelete