Earlier this spring, before lockdown protocols were established, we ventured to New Cumberland, PA and enjoyed Afternoon Tea at the
Oxford Hall Celtic Shop and Cafe. They have a fun gift shop laden with products and grocery items from Ireland and the British Isles. Tucked in the corner of their expansive gift shop is the
Tea Corner Cafe where you can simply drop in for a casual lunch, order off their menu, or if you plan ahead, request the Afternoon Tea (24 hours in advance). On several occasions we have enjoyed a
visit to the cafe (2016) to
order off the menu (2012), but this was the first time we actually planned ahead and sampled the full Afternoon Tea.
Upon arrival, you select your tea from the shelf laden with a vast assortment of glass jars filled with loose leaf tea, from Assam to Darjeeling to Party of the Jungle, and beyond, the decision is difficult. The tea is brewed in individual pots, brought to the table to finish steeping. If requested, additional hot water is added to the pot.
After serving the tea, Cindy Washburn, the owner, brings bowls of Irish Farmhouse veggie bean soup to the table.
A fresh garden salad topped with the house dressing and Kerrygold cheese slices is the next course. Following the soup and salad, the tiered tray is served. That features an assortment of sandwiches (tomato pesto tart, egg salad, and cucumber sandwiches), scones with Devon cream and jelly, and a yummy selection of desserts on the top tier, including macarons, and a crispy decadent chocolate square.
It was a fun spring break celebration while Angelica was home from Penn State. Spring break has since transitioned into quarantine and online learning for our sophomore student. We all adapt. And Oxford Hall Cafe has also adapted. During this unique period where in-house dining has been put on hold, they offer take-out or curbside service of many of their traditional Irish foods, meat pies, scotch eggs, soups, and more, including their grocery items. Give them a call and enjoy something unique and homemade!
Earlier this spring, before lockdown protocols were established, we ventured to New Cumberland, PA and enjoyed Afternoon Tea at the Oxford Hall Celtic Shop and Cafe. They have a fun gift shop laden with products and grocery items from Ireland and the British Isles. Tucked in the corner of their expansive gift shop is the Tea Corner Cafe where you can simply drop in for a casual lunch, order off their menu, or if you plan ahead, request the Afternoon Tea (24 hours in advance). On several occasions we have enjoyed a visit to the cafe (2016) to order off the menu (2012), but this was the first time we actually planned ahead and sampled the full Afternoon Tea.
Upon arrival, you select your tea from the shelf laden with a vast assortment of glass jars filled with loose leaf tea, from Assam to Darjeeling to Party of the Jungle, and beyond, the decision is difficult. The tea is brewed in individual pots, brought to the table to finish steeping. If requested, additional hot water is added to the pot.
After serving the tea, Cindy Washburn, the owner, brings bowls of Irish Farmhouse veggie bean soup to the table.
A fresh garden salad topped with the house dressing and Kerrygold cheese slices is the next course. Following the soup and salad, the tiered tray is served. That features an assortment of sandwiches (tomato pesto tart, egg salad, and cucumber sandwiches), scones with Devon cream and jelly, and a yummy selection of desserts on the top tier, including macarons, and a crispy decadent chocolate square.
Will have to put that on the list for "someday."
ReplyDeleteAlso, Angelica becomes more beautiful every single day!
Many tearooms seem to be doing tea this way right now. So glad they are keeping in business by doing so. What fun that you were able to enjoy tea there during Angelica's break.
ReplyDelete