While shopping for my own pocket full of sunshine this past summer, or as Edward would say 'my own personal brand of heroine' (which tea just happens to be for me), I discovered Charlotte's Tea Room in Warwick, NY.
Charlottes Tea Room in Warwick NY - photo by m.diaz
Whenever we visited historic Warwick (which is a around a 40 min drive away for us) we would drive by the big Tea Room sign and I would pine away for my desire to go inside...we were either headed toward the community center for a film, the arts and crafts community Sugar Loaf, Warwick's Drive-in and needing to pick up some late dinner or quaint store-front shopping and we therefore never made it in. Then this summer's issue of Where Women Create (as my readers know, I love that mag!!) actually featured Charlottes Tea Room and I was like "today we are going to Warwick with only the intention of going into that tea house!" And so we did!
Charlotte's is only an hour drive from NYC and it is an award winning Tea shop set inside a gorgeous Victorian home.
My teapot as part of my Queen's Tea order - photo by m.diaz
The restaurant utilizes three different rooms and a wrap-around porch and each have a different design theme! There is the Blue Willow Room which is laden with blue and white china (I want to sit in there next time), the Library which has an English 'cloak and dagger feel inspired by the board game Clue', and lastly the Garden room which is where I sat on my first visit. In each room the furniture and tableware reflects the theme.
So in the garden room all the tables are white wrought iron, the windows have topiaries and all the tea sets are embellished with flowers.
A shelf in the Garden Room of Charlotte's Tea Room - photo by m.diaz
My cup of Paris Black tea - photo by m.diazI was there for lunch and was so impressed not only with the quality of the artistic culinary experience, but also the affordability! I ordered the Queen's tea, there was also the princess tea (and of course wee-tea's for the little ones!) and the menu also offers countless other options. My Queen's tea came with a large pot of tea (more than enough for two), a plate of salad, a large delicious scone, a sandwich of six rectangular cut mini tea-sandwiches AND dessert!! I chose Key-lime pie - yum! All of that was just $13 - Bet you can't beat that lunch fare experience anywhere in NYC!
My husband ordered his own entree, with the intentions of sharing only my tea, but he shared my scone and dessert too!
My Queen's tea order @ Charlotte's Tea Room! photo by m.diaz
We have researched recipes from England, Ireland, and our own grandmother's kitchen's to bring you sweets and savories, that will not only please your palate, but will be a delight to your eyes.
The hydrangea lamp on our table - photo by m.diaz So if this Labor Day weekend you're looking for a day trip that's really worth it- an experience that will transport you (like when the radio is chiming out the lyrics to the song Pocketful of Sunshine 'Take me away to a sweet escape...' consider a trip out to Warwick NY.
My Key Lime pie dessert choice -photo by m.diaz
A shelf in the Garden Room in Charlotte's Tea Room - photo by m. diaz As my loyal readers know, I almost flipped when I saw these fake cupcakes since I'm a big fan and maker of faux, Trompe l'oeil sweetness!
Charlotte's Tea Room Hours!!
Since Charlotte's Tea Room is so popular on the weekends and is only open Wed thru Sunday its best to call before heading over (so they can save a table!) - the number is (845) 988-9499
The tea room has recently been awarded the "Best of the Best" by Hudson Valley Magazine and a "Reader's Choice Award" by the Tea House Times, and Teamap has ranked them #1 in New York State!
The check in a tea-cup - photo by m.diaz
A table on the wrap-around porch at Charlotte's - photo by m.diaz<So if you love tea, don't say I didn't tell you where to go!
-Amarettogirl
Stumble It!
Sunday, September 27, 2009 at 11:13AM 
Martha Stewart's Inspiring Haunted House Cake
Last year one of the stellar ideas I got from Martha Stewart Living for my murder mystery party was this 8 layer haunted house cake. Grant it I'm not a professional baker, and in the past I had some not-so-great experiences trying some other MS halloween cake ideas (which aren't always the simplest for civilians like me to produce). Yet, I attempted this gem of an idea anyway.
My version of Martha Stewart's Haunted House Cake
My haunted house cake lit up from behind!
The whole NIGHTMARE of cake before it was dismantled to be eaten!
The cake WITHOUT the Haunted house and our little mysterious man revealed!
