Tea on Cape Cod and the Whalewalk Inn & Spa

Just thinking about our first tea party ever at the Whalewalk Inn & Spa. It was to celebrate our granddaughter's 13th birthday. Party favors were antique tea cups found at some of our favorite haunts in Orleans. We served teas from Harney's Tea Company and "Uncle" Brendan was our charming server. We made heart shaped peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, tarragon, grape and chicken sandwiches, radishes with tarragon butter, chocolate covered strawberries, tomatoes, mozzarella and basil on bagel chips, hummus and cucumber sandwiches and a beautiful red velvet cake with purple fondant and silver stars -- as requested by the birthday girl.

Just as fine London restaurants are known for their afternoon tea , so is Cape Cod. Now you don't have to travel across the pond for this experience. Here we have some really quaint tea rooms for a light lunch or just a sweet treat in the afternoon.

Village Tea Room at Borsari Gallery, owned by Bob and Kathy Bosari, is on Route 6A in Dennis. Their converted gallery opened in December with Geroge Davidson from Scotland as its proprietor and tea master.

Off of route 28, Jeni Hennessey, a native of Fareham, England, owns the Tea Shoppe at Mashpee Commons. Here men, as well as women, enjoy her hearty lunch fare such as shepherd's pie.

Paula Hegarty, owner of Dunbar Tea Shop and Tea Room says that tea is very relaxing and therapeutic. Her shop is located on Water Street in Sandwich. This converted carriage house serves about twenty different kinds of loose-leaf teas, and the owners are developing their own blend with cranberry and essence of almond.

Beth's Special Teas Bakery & Cafe in Sandwich center is an Americanized tea and coffee/sandwich shop. Owned by Beth Giampietro, her place makes you feel like you are at Grandma's house.

So come down and enjoy the beauty of Cape Cod and the National Seashore and share in its heritage found in our local tea rooms.

Remember our Memorial Day Special -- book Friday through Sunday (three nights) and stay Monday on us. See you soon!