Pat
User's reviews
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The Front Porch Tea Room
Last week took two friends to tea in Hallam. We three had enjoyed another local tea room together so I wanted to share this one with them next. They ranked Bonnie's Front Porch Tearoom as top of those we've experienced together. One of the ladies had taken High Tea during trips to England. I lived in Bermuda 18 mo.during high school and remembered sharing teas with school friends after taking the local bus to Hamilton. (So grown up, don't you know.) Front Porch Tea Room falls between being more formal than my Bermudian memories but far more casual than friend's British High Tea experiences. House salad was beyond delicious, using nice mix of creatively arranged, tasty ingredients. Amazing range of tea choices available. Can't imagine anyone not finding one they could enjoy. Tea service was casual in a winning way. Bonnie's people skills enliven each aspect of taking tea among the Victorian decor enlivened by casual garden touches. Each of several small rooms opens invitingly one after another, tiny tea lamps light each occupied table for a cozy ambience in natural daylight that peeks through windows set into thick stone walls and peek out at seasonal gardens and greenery. Yes, Front Porch Tea Room is unerringly touched with charm. In our group last week, none cared to don hats but we had fun looking at the variety. Also appreciated Bonnie's protective hat hygiene. We were tickled at how Bonnie introduced us each to our tea pot using color and design, tying each padded cozie to its pot with memory joggers as well. This tea room easily mimmicks the places I knew in Hamilton where one was welcomed into a public portion of the home which had been turned over to serving tea to tourists and residents longing for a gentle sit down between shopping and the trip to their own domicile. The lemon curd easily awakened tastes of two varieties of flavorful and authentic scones. Delightfully seasoned creamy Butternut Squash soup almost didn't leave room for the tea sandwiches which followed. Sandwiches were good but could have used a tiny creative touch to lift them to the excellent level of Bonnie's other offerings. Happily we all chatted and enjoyed our way through each treat because our desserts very perfectly capped our tea with a flourish and a smile. My choice was White Chocolate/Raspberry Mousse w/Chocolate Raspberry Sauce. Delicious. I'll be back. Have several dates in mind as my way of celebrating with other friends, some of whom as yet know nothing of the simple joys of 'taking tea'. Front Porch Tea Room, warmed by Bonnie's genuine hospitality, is fortunately located close enough for me to drop in from time to time. Its worth the effort of traveling a bit, certainly much more approachable than the unquestionably more rigid British originals. Bonnie offers a nice blend of 'The Way It Used To Be' unerringly shaped by a delightful twist of 'The Now'. My two teen granddaughters look forward to another visit with Nana one day soon.
Tearoom response:
WOW!!! What can I say. Thank you so much for those wonderful comments. We look forward to seeing you again real soon.
Bonnie