Fancy That's Walpole Tea Room launches custom blend called "Smitten"

Fancy That is “Smitten” with its new House Blend of Tea

Fancy That introduces its own house blend of tea called “Smitten.”

Fancy That, a busy Victorian style tea house and gift shop in Walpole, Massachusetts, whose Facebook fan-base of over 11,000 draws “likers” from around the globe, has just launched its own blend of tea they are calling “Smitten.”  “We are proud to bring wonderful teas to the table for our guests to enjoy,” Sarah Erlandson, proprietress of Fancy That says.  “So it seemed fitting to offer our own blend of tea containing our favorite flavourings.” 

“Smitten” is a blend of Pai Mu Tan (or “White Peony”) certified organic white tea, rose bud petals that are certified organic, Lemongrass from Egypt also certified organic and Orange Flower Water from France.  The mist-shrouded mountains of the Fujian Province in China is where this white tea is grown.  White tea is the least processed of all teas – never rolled and only slightly oxidized.  It is only picked in the spring and only on days where there is no rain.  It is loaded with favonoids, catechins and other antioxidants and has a proven health benefit.  The taste is distinctively “tea” with a rich golden color to the liquid.  The addition of rose petals and French Orange Blossom water gives Smitten its gentle aroma and comforting notes of honey.

“My husband and I fell in love with the ethereal taste of Orange Blossom water while planning our wedding,” Erlandson continues.  “Our wedding cake was flavoured with French Orange Blossom water.  We have been smitten with the flavour ever since, so you can see where the name came from,” Erlandson says with a smile.  “Working with local blender GayGrace Teas (home of the original Mobile Tea Truck), we came up with the perfect combination of ingredients to create Fancy That’s signature, house blend tea.  We are thrilled to add it to our tea menu.”

“Smitten” joins Fancy That’s tea menu alongside over 30 teas from which patrons may choose when they have Afternoon Tea at the tea room.  “Initially Smitten will only be available by the pot when you have Afternoon Tea here, “Erlandson says.  “But later this year we will begin to offer Smitten for sale in our gift shop, so that our house blend can be enjoyed at home, too.”

Fancy That is a “reservation only” tea house, serving a classic Victorian style Afternoon Tea Thursdays through Sundays.  Reservations are running approximately two weeks out on weekends and one week out on Thursdays and Fridays.  For reservations call toll free 1-888-323-2832 or email reservations@afternoontea.com.  The Gift Shoppe is open to the public during regular hours, Thursdays and Fridays 10am – 3 pm,  Saturdays and Sundays 10am – 5pm.

October Sandwich of the Month - Apple Cheddar on Raisin (with recipe)

Happy October everyone! Here we are in the midst of "pumpkin everything" and "apples galore."  Well, here at Fancy That, our love of pumpkin and apples brings us to this month's selection of the most delicious Autumn combos.  As we mentioned last week, the cupcakes are a pumpkin with a cream cheese frosting.  Now for the fun:  the sammie!  In addition to two English cucumber on pumpernickel, and our fancy chicken salad (with apricot jam and white raisins) on wheat bread, we introduce the October sandwich:  Granny Smith apple and Vermont white cheddar cheese on raisin bread.  YUMMY! 

Admittedly, we have oodles of fun in "test kitchen" exploring flavour combos and sampling a treat or two.  Do you want to help in "test kitchen" sometime?  :)

Here's the recipe to a great fall-flavoured tea sandwich.

2 granny smith apples
1/4 pound (about 6 slices) of Vermont white cheddar cheese
1 loaf of raisin bread
1/2 cup plain whipped cream cheese (buy it whipped...don't bother doing it yourself!)
2 tablespoons lemon juice

Ready two large granny smith apples by washing, and peeling the skins off.  Have the Vermont white cheddar sliced thinly (about the thickness of a credit card) - not paper thin though. 

Buy your favorite raisin bread - we use a Peppridge Farms Cinnamon Raisin Swirl bread.  Set out four slices with four more slices for the tops.  Generously spread the whipped cream cheese on the "inside" sides of each piece of bread.

With a parring knife, slice the apples into thin slices about the thickness of a credit card.  No need to core the apply.  Just slice along one side, then the opposite, and then the other two.  Discard the core.  Turn all the apple slices into a bowl, pouring the lemon juice of the slices then mix gently so all the pieces of apple are covered with lemon juice.  This will keep them from turning brown before you assemble the sammie.

Lay one piece of cheese on the "bottom" slice of bread.  Take the slices of apple, patting them dry, then lay on the cheese.  Cover with the "top" slice of bread.

With a sharp knife, gently slice the crusts off the four sides.   Take the sandwich, and cut it in half with a thickness of about two fingers (ah!  the reason they are called "finger sandwiches!").  Chill for about an hour then serve.  This recipe yields 8 finger sammies.  

Thanks for stopping by!  OH!  Helpful cooking tip for today:  When mixing up your scones, use OUR secret ingredient - BUTTERMILK!  Never use whole milk or skim milk for scones.  The Buttermilk makes the taste and texture PERFECT for your scone.  Enjoy your Afternoon Tea!

October's flavours for Afternoon Tea

Here at Fancy That, we are excited about how our Afternoon Teas have grown.  We love to hear the Shoppe full of people enjoying Afternoon Tea.  The stories we hear from our guests warm our hearts and make us realize that what we are doing is more than just serving up tea - we are creating an event that will be remembered for quite some time.

So, here we are, with our foot at the door of Autumn and October.  Planning for Afternoon Tea involves our selecting menu items that we change each and every month.  We change the scone flavour (fresh baked on site daily and NOW WE SELL THE SCONES as well), a mini cupcake and at least one sandwich (Sammie for short).  We decided to share that planning with you as soon as we make our decision.  Starting monthly, we will give you a sneak peek at the menu for the coming month.  If you look at the pictures and think "yum" you should also think about making reservations and come to tea!   Hang around here as well.  We will start including recipes that you can use for your own Afternoon Teas.

October's menu for Afternoon Tea is set!  See below for some of the sweets.  A post next week will have the savory along with a recipe that you can try yourself.  

Pumpkin Cream Cheese mini Cupcake is one of three desserts for October

Raspberry with White Chocolate chips is the flavour for the scone for October

Thank you for stopping by!  We'll see you next week with the sandwich flavour and recipe! See you then!

ExtravaSconeZa!

ExtravaSconeZa!

Celebrating one year of serving tea with an Open House

Walpole, Massachusetts.  Fancy That, serving Victorian-styled Afternoon Tea, selling tea and gifts and offering rentals of vintage English china, is pleased to announce a celebration of one year of serving Afternoon Tea.   An open house at Fancy That, 272 Main Street in Walpole, to be held on Sunday, May 18^th from 1pm to 5pm will highlight various fresh-baked scones.  The celebration is being called an “ExtravaSconeZa”.  Different flavours of scones will be available for complimentary sampling and for purchase.

Sarah Erlandson, proprietress of Fancy That points out, “we are celebrating our eleventh year of renting vintage china, the third year of our gift shoppe and now, one year operating the Tea Room where you can escape the stress of the day and unwind with a cup of Tea.”

“When you enter our Tea Room, it is intimate and welcoming as if you walked off the street into our front parlor,” Erlandson said.  “We love welcoming guests for Afternoon Tea.  It’s appropriate for us to host this open house – our way of giving back to our customers and the community with a free, open to the public event.”  Fancy That plans to have for sample different flavours of fresh baked scones and tea, offered in the comfy atmosphere of the tea room and gift shoppe.

FancyThat’s Tea Room is an elegant Victorian-inspired tea room with an air of genteel sensibilities.  Afternoon Tea is served by reservation only, Thursdays and Fridays at noon and Saturdays and Sundays at 11am and 2pm.  You may make reservations by ringing up-888-3232-TEA (1-888-323-2832) or email Reservations at AfternoonTea dot com [spelled out to prevent spam-bots from using the email address].

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For more information, contact Brad McCracken, General Manager, Fancy That, 272 Main Street, Walpole, MA 02081.  Email brad@afternoontea.com  Phone: 1-888-323-2832  Fax 1-866-551-2194.

Author of "Great American Tea Rooms" stopping by for Book Signing

We are very excited to welcome Bruce Richardson to Fancy That for an Afternoon Tea, a presentation of his new book "A Social History of Tea" and a book signing.  While the tickets for the Afternoon Tea and presentation are SOLD OUT, Bruce will be available on December 6 2013 from 2pm to 3pm to sign books.  This book signing is OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.  And if you don't have your new "A Social History of Tea" book or "Great American Tea Rooms of America" you can purchase them at Fancy That then have Bruce sign them....all at the same time!

So set your timer, and make a note in your calendar....December 6th 2013 from 2pm to 3pm, Bruce Richardson will be at Fancy That in Walpole, Massachusetts to sign his new book and his older books.  You may bring your book you already purchased or purchase one or three of his books at Fancy That.  The book signing is open to the Public so just stop by!  :)  See you on December 6th!

Stop By Our Open House December 1, 2013!

(c) Jamie R Doyle Photography

Save the date of Sunday Dec 1st (from 1:30-5pm) for our Holiday Open House! Sample Holiday Tea (black tea spiced with citrus, almond, clove and cinnamon) and our delish cinnamon tea bread! Also, we're super excited to have Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant, Lisa Lee at our open house this year! You'll have a chance to shop for gift sets or stocking stuffers, learn a glamorous new holiday look or book a pampering appointment for yourself or your loved ones. This event is open to the public, so no need to RSVP Just stop by between 1:30 and 5pm on Sunday December 1st .

Thanks for stopping by!  :)

Afternoon Tea (high tea) at Fancy That in Walpole Massachusetts

It has been a journey (some of which we chronicled here) from the idea of wanting to serve Afternoon Tea, to the place where we are now - serving Afternoon Tea by reservation on Saturdays and Sundays.  We have to say, we are absolutely THRILLED with the reception!  We are fully booked for this weekend (there are tables available for next weekend!).  With a few moments to spare,  just thought we would share some pictures of Afternoon Tea at Fancy That.  Enjoy the photos!  :)

Mini desserts served at a recent Afternoon Tea

 

 Table for two in the Dining Room

Dining Room with tables set for three guests each

The yummy part of Afternoon Tea!

When making reservations, be sure to request The Pink Room for a private room (up to a group of four)

The Pink Room can accommodate up to four guests

We are crazy about the vintage china we use for Afternoon Tea

The savories

Thanks for stopping by!  We look forward to welcoming you for tea!  :)