A Downton Abbey Tea at Winterthur

Day #5 of our trip was just as full as the previous days.  Since we were leaving for home right after Winterthur's Downton Abbey  Tea, we had to pack our suitcases and load them in the car first thing in the morning.  Below is what four ladies traveling together looks like! ;-)

It was the only day of our trip where it rained, but we managed to stop at a few antique and resale shops without getting too wet and messing up our tea-time outfits. [Tomorrow's post will be about my purchases.]

The Downton Abbey Afternoon Tea was held in Winterthur's Welcome Center building, [pictured below] which is separate from the museum.

[Internet Photo]

My 2007 London, England roommate, Mary Jane, who currently lives in Virginia, phoned before I left for Wilmington to say she and her husband would be at Winterhur on Saturday, September 13th, and they wanted to meet up with us.  There was still seating available at the 3:00 p.m. buffet tea, so they made reservations to join us.  Spending time with them was the "frosting on the cake" of the trip!

The dining room was beautifully set up for the tea.

The tea was a buffet instead of being served at tables.  Sometimes a buffet can be a disappointment with scant remains after the first ones go through the line, but definitely not at Winterthur.  The food was abundant, and replenished often - guests could even return for seconds. The price was $29.95 per person.

The servers were ready and waiting to assist guests.

Hot water urns [below] ready to provide many cups of tea.  

Tea bag selections were on the tables by Harney & Sons Fine Teas, Lipton, and the Winterthur Afternoon Tea blend by Eastern Shore Tea Company.

We each had our own individual "tea for one" teapot and teacup, and the servers refilled the teapots frequently with hot water.

The tea began with Cream of Cauliflower and Stilton Bisque that was served to us at our table.   We drank the bisque from the small glasses pictured below.

Then it was time to go through the savory buffet line.  A printed menu was at the beginning of the line, as well as food cards in front of each item.

The food was a feast for the eyes, and taste buds!

~ One of each, please! ~

Creme Fraiche Egg Salad on Poppy Seed Brioche with Sweet Pea Sprouts; Lemon Cucumber Shrimp Sandwiches with Chive Cream Cheese; Buttermilk Semolina Tea Sandwiches with Goat Cheese, Walnuts, and Roasted Pepper; Brandied Crab Salad on a Rice Cracker with Scallions and charred Corn; Smoked Gouda and Pimento Cheese Roll-ups with Arugula; Mozzarella and Heirloom Cherry Tomato skewers with Basil Balsamic; Warm mixed Mushroom and Brie Strudel with Sun-Dried Tomato Aioli; Crumbled Sausage and Roasted Vegetable Tartlettes with Fontina; and Spinach and Hazelnut Stuffed Mushrooms.

Raspberry and White Chocolate Miniature Scones and Buttermilk Raisin Miniature Scones were on the dessert table, with whipped Butter, Orange Marmalade, Lemon Curd, and English Country Cream.

And lastly the desserts... Chocolate dipped Strawberries; du Pont Chocolate Mousse Tartlettes; Cinnamon Shortbread Cookies; Berry Mousse Sugared Pastry Horn; Chocolate Dipped Macaroons, and other pastries that weren't listed on the menu.  Are you hungry yet? ;-)

[Linda , Barb and Me]

What a fabulous afternoon with wonderful friends having fellowship over tea, and great food! The dining room supervisor told us as we were leaving that the teas have been so successful [the dining room was filled to capacity], that they've decided to keep them going even after the Downton Abbey Costume Exhibit ends.

[Lori and Me]

Farewell Winterthur... until the next time!

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Today I'm joining Antiques and Teacups for Tuesday Cuppa Tea
and
Rose Chintz Cottage for Tea Time Tuesday