My girlfriends and I went to O'Mara's Avalon Tea Garden today for this month's themed tea - Tea With the March Hare. It was exactly one year ago that my girlfriend Lori and I began attending their monthly teas, and we haven't missed one since. Our group has grown in size - today there were five of us.
[L-R: Lori, Cindy, Me, Sandy, and Sheila]
~ O'Mara's Afternoon Tea Guests ~
~ Themed Tablescape Embellishments ~
~ Don't be late for tea! ~
~ Menu ~
My choice of tea for the afternoon was Harney & Son's Queen Catherine. I selected their Mock Turtle Soup - something I'd never had before. It was garnished with a bread dough turtle. So cute! I'm told Mock Turtle Soup can be made with a cream base like chowder, or tomato based. Today's was tomato based with chicken, beef, and pork. It was delicious.
Then the Queen left off, quite out of breath, and said to Alice, "Have you seen the Mock Turtle yet?" "No," said Alice. "I don't even know what Mock Turtle is." "It's the thing Mock Turtle Soup is made from," said the Queen. "I never saw one, or heard of one." said Alice. "Come on, then," said the Queen, "And he shall tell you his history."
The savories were Toadstool Mushrooms [bottom tier - a cherry tomato halve on top of a deviled egg]; Strawberry, Goat Cheese & Watercress Checkerboard Sandwich, middle tier; and March Hare Ginger Carrot Sandwich, top tier.
Yummy!
The March Hare gets around underground by rooting carrots. He sometimes finds himself in faraway tunnels where he simply goes mad for all the exotic roots - like ginger. Fancy them both in a sandwich!
~ Chef Anita ~
She demonstrated Baked Brie with Tarragon, but this month she wrapped it in Puff Pastry instead of Filo Dough. My preference is Puff Pastry.
~ Queen of Hearts Asparagus Tart ~
Dessert: Carrot Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting; Lavender Shortbread Cookie; and Cherry Scone.
What a fun afternoon. Who would have known it was 17 degrees and gray skies outside, when it was so cozy and pleasant inside!
How fabulous! Aren't you lucky to have such a fun and innovative tea room close! I's love that!
ReplyDeleteRuth
Can't believe it's already been a year of those O'Mara's teas! Congrats to them for keeping them up in such great style -- and to you for getting to enjoy them!
ReplyDeleteYou ladies look lovely all dressed up for a tea luncheon and such a tasty array of food! Mock turtle soup sounds interesting and the bread turtle on top is cute. I would love to have a place to attend a monthly themed tea. Thanks for sharing your photos Phyllis.
ReplyDeleteThat looks like so much fun! I'm glad your group is growing, that just makes it more fun. Love the quotes that inspired the food, which looks delicious. The cold temperatures outside made the warmth and loveliness inside all the better!
ReplyDeleteYou all look lovely! What fun to look forward to these events monthly! My afternoon tea outings have been severely reduced since my gluten intolerance was diagnosed. But, since I feel so much better, I can't complain too much.
ReplyDeleteThe monthly themed teas sound like such fun! You are fortunate to have these close by as it makes nice outings for friends. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteIt's quite obvious they have such fun creating these themes teas! How lucky to be able to attend them - and thank you for sharing!
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