My Imaginary Tea Room

Following up on yesterday's post, I decided to open an imaginary tea room, where I could do things my way.

We'll make a couple of assumptions:

 1) money is not a consideration in the set up or operation. 

2) I won't have to work in it.

 I'll only do the fun stuff -- choosing and designing the space, buying the appointments, choosing the menu. I'll only be there to greet the customers, go around to their tables to ask if everything is to their liking.

I'll be making sure the staff is doing everything correctly and I may occasionally find a little table in the corner to relax, bask in the ambiance, read a book, sample the sumptuous fare I have myself chosen and had someone else lovingly prepare.

Are you with me? Ready for a journey into the perfect tea room?

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I'll find an ancient stone structure seeping with the patina of age. 

I'll live upstairs so I'm never very far away from my pride and joy tea room.

(Pinterest images unless otherwise noted.)

Flowers spill from boxes outside each window.

Old wrought iron chairs at the front entryway bid visitors to sit and relax in the sunshine while they wait their turn at the table. The tea room is so popular that there's always a long wait, but diners aren't bothered by that. The food and the dining experience is well worth the wait.

Upon entering, diners are met by the strings of Vivaldi. So soothing and relaxing. The music puts everyone in such a fine mood, to the point there are never unhappy customers and a dish has never been returned to the kitchen. 

The trickling of a fountain is heard when there's a pause in the music.

Scattered throughout the tea room are green topiary and fresh-cut flowers.

The always friendly staff, ladies in black dresses and white aprons, escort diners to tables that are individually appointed.

Each table is adorned with fresh flowers of the season.

My picture 3/2012

Tea -- Earl Gray, Lady Gray, Jasmine, Darjeeling and Lapsong Souchong, served in a  silver footed pot,

a blue and white ceramic pot

or a pot somewhat more modern in design.

After brewing the proper amount of time, the waitress returns to pour.

Since there'll be those who insist, iced tea also is available. (After all, this is the South, and Southerns love their tea, sweetened, no less!)

On a sideboard against the wall sits pitchers of cucumber lemon water -- a refreshing and healing beverage.

See my previous post for details about this drink.

My picture 7/2012

Scones anyone? Yes, and I'll have strawberry jam with mine.

And Double Devon Cream. Or do you prefer Clotted Cream? Expensive, yes, but nothing is too good for MY customers.

What's a tea room without tea sandwiches? We'll be making cucumber, egg salad, chicken salad and cream cheese with pineapple and chopped walnuts.

Oh so many other things to choose from. Victorian Sponge Cake, lemon curd tartlets, banana nut bread, cheese straws and other delights too numerous to name.

But wait, I got ahead of myself. We have to eat a main dish before dessert, don't we?  I think we'll have the following choices:

We must have a soup of the day (seasonal)

Caesar Salad and two other green salads

Pasta Salad

Fruit Plate
Assorted tea sandwiches

Club Sandwich

Chicken Lasagna (hot)

Savory Crepes

All of the offerings must be cooked prepared fresh each morning. No menu items will require cooking after the customer orders (except for the crepe choices, which cook in a flash anyway).

In the entryway, I think I'll carry a selection of items for sale. Tea, tea cozies, tea towels, teapots, cups and saucers, aprons, gift baskets. Anything with a tea connection. And how about these darling  note cards?

zazzle

I'm still thinking! There will be other additions/changes as we go along.

Now I need your input on any or all of these questions.

Would you visit this tea room?

What additions/subtractions/changes would you make?

Do you have suggestions for the menu?

I look forward to your feeback.

Disclaimer: I am not even THINKING about opening a tea room. This exercise is all in fun!