Washington, DC suburb
User's reviews
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Serenity Tearoom & Fine Dining
What a lovely experience after a day of antiquing! Newly opened and located in a row house in the heart of Frederick, this tea room has the charm of high ceilings and wood floors found in homes of centuries past. Two large windows brighten the room and offer a view of the street and passersby. I was particularly impressed that, unlike many tea rooms where the abundance of lace, chintz and ruffles verges on tacky, the décor here was tastefully understated. Each table had a simple damask tablecloth, pretty antique china cups and saucers, and a vase of fresh flowers. There are seven or eight tables here (mostly two-tops, with two four-tops) but there is additional seating outside in the courtyard when the weather allows. A large party had wisely reserved that area on the gorgeous autumn day I was there. Both the owner, Blanch Henry, and her husband graciously greet and seat me and explain the menu and what is being served that day. There are fifty loose teas from which to choose and which can also be purchased from the retail area in the back. Each pot of tea arrives perfectly steeped eliminating the need for tea strainers at the table and avoiding the too weak at the start, too strong at the end dilemma. On this day, a variety of tea sandwiches and savories arrived (traditional cucumber, a nicely seasoned chicken salad in a pastry, and a delicious herbed cheese with tomato), plus a warm raisin scone, a slice of tea bread, lemon cookies, fresh fruit tartlets, and chocolate dipped strawberries. Fresh jam or lemon curd and Devonshire cream come on the side, naturally. And at a price of $18, this tea was a bargain. I would highly recommend!