English Rose Tearoom

Second Sunday Tea at 3 had to move to the third Saturday in February this year due to Valentine's Day falling on the second Sunday of the month, so we decided to change the day as well so we could visit The English Rose Tearoom in Pleasanton, which isn't open on Sundays. This tearoom features an inviting tea themed garden area, gift shop corner and loose leaf teas for sale.

Our beautifully set tables were waiting for us right by the sunny front window. There were six of us that day, so two of the tiny tables were pushed together for the group. The Tearoom encourages diners to experience as many teas as they want, but due to the small size of the tables, limits the selections to two pots on the table at a time. However, these can be swapped out at any time, even if they're not quite empty.

Housemade Lemon Curd, Jelly, and Clotted Cream Yummy!

The tea delicacies were tasty and so generous that some of us couldn't finish them, even though we sat there from 3:00 until 5:30, eating and tasting many different teas. The owner and staff are very accommodating, checking in frequently to ask if we needed our tea pots topped off or wished to change to a new pot. Informal and fun, this tearoom is ready for all comers, large groups or single guests just craving a cuppa. They even offer a tea sample with cookie just for stopping in their storefront.

Standard three tier tea tray full of deliciousness. (gift shop in background)

 The platters were arranged so that each person's selections were together

sweets and scones

fancy savories and fruit

Sammies galore including a pastry cup with goat cheese and honey

Chocolate Caramel Brownie Tea,
with sugar and cream

In addition to delicious beverages and tasty food, we were encouraged to stay after we finished the food and taste even more teas. The English Rose Tearoom has an extensive list of teas for customers to peruse for tasting. Angela most preferred the Creme Brulee, and of course J. K. loved the Chocolate Caramel Brownie. Both are flavored black teas. Other types sampled were Herbal Peppermint, Genmaicha, Partridge in a Pear Tea and Indian Chai just to name a few!

Afternoon Tea at Pardee Home Museum in Oakland

Tea Time Adventures has stumbled across a Facebook group, Second Sunday Tea at Three (SST@3). We signed up immediately once we learned they planned to take tea at the Pardee Home and Museum in Oakland, because while we had been there several years ago, we hadn't gotten any pictures—and therefore no blog post! This is another volunteer led Afternoon Tea, so guests must make reservations through the Pardee Home to book a tea event  All proceeds from tea ticket sales and the gift shop benefit the nonprofit that cares for the Pardee Family Historical Home. 

Our visit begins with a greeting from one of the volunteers and once our all of our party arrived (shamefully J.K. and I were running a bit late due to reading on BART and missed our transfer stop) they led us into the lovely dining room which was set with sandwiches and savories to begin our Afternoon Tea.













The savory course was served family style so each person took one of what they liked and passed on the plate.  These delightful bites and garnishes are all made by volunteers in-house and served on beautiful plates with thoughtful attention to detail. Garnishes included edible flowers from the Pardee Garden, which were in great demand by some of the guests. (Your menu will depend on who's in the kitchen and what is seasonal.)

7 savory delights from traditional to the unexpected

Our tea cups were kept topped off by volunteer waitresses who buzzed to and from the kitchen (since the kitchen is used to serve afternoon tea, it is the only part of the house not shown during the tour). After a lot of conversation, tea and sandwiches, we were served the scone course which included local jam and yummy curd  on the side. Our group spent a lot of time admiring the decor in the Pardee dining room where we took tea as well.

There were plenty of conversation starters hanging around...

Dessert was the last course (as if we could eat more...good thing we had to walk around during the tour) and featured more good cooking by the volunteers.

There was definitely a dessert flavor for every sweet tooth.

After our group was full and content we met in the front hall with a smaller party who were only participating in the tour. There are lots of photos, so we'll let them speak for themselves. If you're curious you can ask for more details in the comments or simply take the Pardee Home tour yourself!

A room with a view

The dining room with the original Pardee home cutlery and dishes.

Close up of painting-see the deer?

Thanks to the ladies of SST@3 for organizing this event. Tea Time is happy to have made it back and checked this Afternoon Tea Adventure off our list! If you're interested in learning more about the Pardee home, taking Afternoon Tea or Volunteering, reach out and contact them! They love to entertain.




P. S.
We made it home on BART just fine. No side trips since we were vigilant after the mishap on the way to the event... and on the way home, J.K. stopped at Ben & Jerry's for her birthday dish of Chocolate Therapy. Well, it was almost time for dinner, but J.K.'s motto is "Life is uncertain—eat dessert first."

Angela says, "Sometimes ice cream is dinner." Not sure if that's a motto or just a fact.