Flowers, Doilies, and Tea. Oh My!
Have you ever seen a magical place online and wondered if it was too good to be true? Is it real, or is it Photoshop? That is the question.
That’s exactly how I felt when I first laid eyes on a social media post featuring the English Rose Tea Room. It looked like a floral fantasy, and I couldn’t wait to see it in person. It may have taken me four years, but I finally made it there for my 53rd birthday!
The tea room was about an hour’s drive from our home in Arizona, but the scenery made the trip enjoyable. The town of Carefree was small, charming, and quaint. We parked directly across the street from the tea room, and the moment I saw it, I knew I was in for a treat.
It looked exactly like the pictures. Dare I say, it looked even better in person!
I immediately pulled out my phone and started snapping photos and recording videos. I was absolutely ecstatic to be there.
A Floral Fantasy Come to Life
The outdoor seating area was decked out with tablecloths, napkins, fancy chairs, and beautiful teacups. Of course, flowers were everywhere! They practically oozed from every corner of the décor. So, you can only imagine what awaited us inside.
As we made our way to the hostess desk, I had a hard time focusing because there was so much to see. You could tell the owner had put considerable thought and effort into making the tea room a feast not only for your tummy but for your eyes as well.
A person could spend hours trying to take it all in.
Time for Tea!
Once the hostess seated us, Mommy and I perused the menu. We had already decided on the Formal Afternoon Tea, but we took a moment to explore the tea selections and choose our preferred flavors.
Feeling a little adventurous, I ordered the chocolate mint tea, while Mommy selected peach and ginger.
There were approximately ten other patrons scattered throughout the room, enjoying the ambiance and sipping their tea. Since it wasn’t particularly crowded, our tea and three-tiered tray arrived fairly quickly.
My chocolate mint tea was simply divine! It reminded me of Andes chocolate mints, which made it an absolute delight.
Mommy, on the other hand, thought her peach and ginger tea was just okay. The flavor was mild and nothing to write home about.
The Afternoon Tea Experience
The food was your typical afternoon tea fare. We chose the Formal Afternoon Tea because we wanted to compare it with the experiences we’ve had at other tea rooms over the years.
Everything was beautifully presented on a three-tiered tray:
- Bottom tier: Savory tea sandwiches
- Middle tier: Scones with cream and jelly
- Top tier: An assortment of sweet treats and desserts
The food was fine. Nothing spectacular, but certainly tasty enough.
Next time, I think we’ll explore some of the other menu options. In addition to traditional afternoon tea nibbles, the tea room offers a variety of salads, sandwiches, and quiche.
Even the Bathroom Was a Work of Art!
Before we left, I made a point of visiting the bathroom.
And let me tell you, I was absolutely in awe!
Flowers. Everywhere. From floor to ceiling!
I was so mesmerized by the explosion of colors that I almost forgot I actually needed to use the bathroom. 😂
I think I took more pictures of the bathroom than I did of the main dining room!
A Birthday to Remember
In closing, a time was had on my 53rd birthday, and afternoon tea at the English Rose Tea Room was a big reason why it was such a magical day.
The experience was everything I had hoped for and more. It was definitely worth the drive and the price.
The service was friendly, the food was tasty, and the atmosphere was simply delightful.
Would I return? Without a doubt!
If you’re looking for a charming place to celebrate a special occasion or simply enjoy an afternoon out, I highly recommend the English Rose Tea Room in Carefree, Arizona.
Go for the Instagram-worthy décor, stay for the friendly service, and enjoy a few tasty bites along the way.
Sip, Savor & Score: 91/100 🫖💕
