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Monday, May 5, 2008

Be Queen for an Afternoon at Queen Mary's


Tomorrow is my daughter-in-law Ana’s birthday. Part of my gift to her was a trip to Queen Mary’s Tea Room in Seattle’s University District. Our family likes going to tea and I have written in the past about some of the places we have gone. At Christmas Ana had put on her wish list high tea alone with me. I didn’t draw Ana’s name at Christmas, but taking her desire as a compliment and wanting to do something special I made reservations for the Sunday nearest her birthday way back in February.

Reservations are advised for Queen Mary’s. The shop is small, but elegant and the scene of many birthdays and other celebrations. I had not been there since 1991, but found it much as I remembered although their menu has expanded considerably. We had the Afternoon tea complete with sorbet, fruit, sandwiches, savories, scones and sweets and elegant silver pots of tea. Many alternatives to high tea are available including a children’s tea and various combinations of sandwiches and sweets. A pastry case reveals tempting desserts and the entryway is jam packed with tea pots, napkins, fairies, gift cards and all sorts of fun tea things.

We took our time, lingering over our tower of tea food for a full two hours and it was only reluctantly that Ana relinquished her birthday crown when each grape and scone were gone. One the way home Ana declared it to be a wonderful day. Of course it helped that the weather had cooperated by giving us a sunny warm day, but Queen Mary’s would be a warm escape from the worst of weather and is well worth the trip to Seattle.

Queen Mary’s tea room is located at 2912 N.E. 55th in Seattle. Reservation can be made online. For a tour and peek at their menu visit their website http://queenmarytea.com/

3 comments:

Kim Thompson said...

Oh, you brought back memories! I remember this place when I lived in Seattle. It sounds really, really lovely. What a terrific celebration!

JosephMcG said...

Thank you for sharing this celebrative moment...

Stephanie Frieze said...

The Brits certainly can teach us much about relaxing over a cup of tea, small tasty morsels and good company. Americans are in too much of a rush these days.