Home

Rooms / Rates

Breakfast

The Surrey Tea Room

Weddings

The Proprietors / Restoration

Contact Us / Policies

Guest Book

The Surrey Tea Room

Named after the county of Surrey in the Southeastern pocket of England where the owner tried her first English “cream tea”, this elegant dining room is suitable for almost any honorable occasion. From rehearsal dinners to wedding anniversaries to red hat meetings, this gorgeous room is the perfect setting to have your next extravagant indulgence. Seating is limited to 16 to provide a cozy and intimate atmosphere. The Tea Room is open on Saturdays and Sundays by reservation only. Minimum of 6 required for reservation, 10% automatic gratuity will be added to parties with more than 8 people. Tea and meal menus can be customized for each booking in order to make your day even more special.

Ideas for bookings:

Birthday Luncheon Parties
Children’s Tea Parties
Red Hat Society Meetings
Card Parties
Business Luncheons
Golden Anniversaries
Christmas & Holiday Parties
Girls Day Out Weekends
Sunday Brunch
Bridal and Baby Showers

Tea Etiquette and Q&A

There are several different types of teas in accordance with British Tradition. They are:

- Tea
- Cream Tea
- High Tea

Tea, sometimes called Afternoon Tea, is usually served anywhere between 2-5 and generally includes several types of crustless tea sandwiches (favorites are cucumber, egg, and assorted pate dainties) as well as scones. Dessert (usually in the form of small cakes), and fresh fruit can also be added to the menu. Cream Tea is a favorite all over England (especially the South) and includes a scone served with fresh jam (usually strawberry or raspberry,) clotted cream (an English delicacy), and a steaming cup of freshly brewed tea with milk and sugar (milk is mandatory, sugar if preferred). High Tea was more of a historical event and was served in the late afternoon, usually around 5 or 6 p.m. (though some from Britain still regularly call supper “tea”, especially the Scottish). Supper has all but replaced this meal in modern times. It will usually include some sort of meat or sandwich, vegetable, and cake. Many Americans believe that “high tea” takes place in the afternoon, however, this is a misconception.

Tea may be served with sugar and either lemon, or more commonly with milk. The British have the conception that cream is for coffee and milk is for tea. Many English are abhorred at the American habit of drinking tea plain, and would rather throw tea down the sink than drink it without milk. One does not have to always wear a hat for tea these days, but it depends on who you are visiting; the Queen Mother would probably appreciate the gesture. Proper dress is still important. If someone invites you to tea, fancy dress is appropriate; if it is a garden tea party a nice tea dress and gloves may still be worn. Never feel that you are overdressed at a tea party, there is no such thing! Tea is a festive occasion which to look forward to and a gathering of minds to talk politics, books and articles, family, or more commonly (as much as I hate to say it)…gossip.

Q: Do Britains really drink that much tea?
A: In my opinion, yes. Tea in Britain is on par with pop or soda in the U.S., it is a social drink and offered by a good host or hostess when you walk into the home.

Q: What is clotted cream?
A: It is a sweet cream native to Southern England that is the consistency somewhere between yogurt and sour cream. It’s splendid on a scone with jam.

Q: Does tea have any health benefits?
A: Tea is very healthy for you, it is full of antioxidants and some types can even increase metabolism and mental awareness.