Dolly Seidell
User's reviews
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The English Rose Tea Room and Gifts
For her 4th birthday last week, my daughter Olivia had a 'Bitty Baby and Me' (American Girl Doll) Tea Party at the English Rose. We had 6 girls, their mothers, her 2 grandmothers and her baby sister Ava attend. A few days before, I had reserved the table with wing chairs for the grandmothers, the French Settee area for the girls and a table nearby for the moms. When we arrived 15 minutes earlier (our reservations were at 3pm) to set placecards and balloons, there were guests still enjoying their tea at the tables I had requested. We were set at the tables in the back and along the side. I noticed that the other guests were finishing up and getting ready to leave. I asked the servers if we could please move to the tables that I had requested and they were VERY accomodating. They had already set up the other tables and had poured water. All our guests had arrived by this time and the servers now had to clear, clean and reset the other tables. I am happy that I stuck to my wishes because once everything was set and we finally had our seats, everything was perfect! The French Settee sits much lower so it was perfect for the girls and the grandmothers were cozy in the wing chairs. The girls had the Princess Penelope Tea- Liv's favorite- peanut butter with marshmallow creme sandwich shaped like a butterfly accompanied with a scone, fresh fruit, petit four and tea cake. Miss Laura served the girls throughout the afternoon, pouring their tea, helping them with the creme fraiche, lemon curd and jam for their scones...I was able to take pictures and enjoy a little of my Afternoon Tea because of Miss Laura! She was extremely patient with the girls and always knelt down at their level. One girl had complained about the tea flavor... Miss Laura handled it so well and reminded her that it was Olivia's birthday and that she chose her favorite flavor- vanilla and that the next pot will be her choice. For cake, the English Rose places a petit four with candle on a beautiful plate and around the plate it read 'Happy Birthday Olivia' in pink frosting. Since the girls already had petit fours, it saves to not have to bring in a cake. For a simple game, I purchased a silver chain and 8 silver charms (shapes- birthday cake, purse with pink rhinestones...). Each girl picked a charm, put it on the silver chain and made a birthday wish to Olivia. It was very sweet and my daughter was so proud and happy at the end to wear the charm bracelet. The girls recieved a pink crystal beaded bracelet afterwards. I had a couple other games planned that required paper and pencil (American Girl Doll Trivia, Guess the baby doll item)that I left out because there isn't enough room on the tables to do such games but it was fine, the girls were having fun. For placecards, I attached pictures of the American Girl Dolls that looked like the mothers and pictures of the Bitty Baby Dolls that looked like the daughters. For favors, each girl received a pink hat adorned with pink bow and flowers and a pink polka dot purse with white gloves, tea time stickers, along with their pink bracelet. It was a lovely afternoon! My heart was so happy to see my daughter happy and thoroughly enjoying tea time with her friends! I have had Afternoon tea in many places throughout California and in other countries. When I stepped into the English Rose last year, my heart exploded- FINALLY!- a beautiful tea room nearby that I can cherish Afternoon Tea with my children, friends and family! The English Rose reminds me a bit like the Empress Hotel in British Columbia with the celadon, sage greens and pinks, but cozier, like home. The day after Olivia's tea party, we opened the box expecting to just find the extra petit four to snack on, but also enclosed in the box was a scone and a gorgeous yellow rose! Liv and I were so surprised and turned the kettle on for another little tea party at home ;)! I'm writing this in hopes it helps anyone else who has a children's tea party at the English Rose. I think 4 is a great age where they begin to appreciate the precious things and keeping the tea party small makes it more manageable. I do suggest that if you have placecards and such to set up before everyone arrives to make your invitations 10-15 minutes past your reservation, (3:15 instead of 3). Thank you Lisa for opening such a gorgeous tea room and thank you Miss Laura for being such a gracious hostess to Olivia and her girlfriends! We look forward to many more lovely tea parties at the English Rose! Tea and Friendship, Olivia Marie and Dolly Marie