Once you step through the door at Alexandra's Tea Room in Springdale, you escape into a Victorian era of high tea, white gloves, fancy sandwiches and specialty desserts.
The Lunch Bunch crew didn't have our white gloves, but figured we could easily (and gracefully) eat our way through the fruit salad, scones, dainty sandwiches and delicate desserts.
Two dining rooms are decorated with beautiful, Victorian-style carpeting, pictures, floral swags on the fireplace and wreaths and pictures on the walls.
We loved being pampered. The teas, as well as the service and surroundings, were exquisite. We were encouraged to try as many teas as we liked. We just loved the Cheri tea, which had just the right hint of cherry flavor.
Ginger peach tea had a hint of sweet peach and a tad of ginger. It wasn't a spicy tea, but rather a light, satisfying tea. Later, we sampled a delicate chocolate-flavored tea.
Our lunch started with a fresh fruit cup that featured diced bits of strawberry, blueberries, pineapple, kiwi and mango served with a honey-lime sauce that really brought out the flavors of the fruits.
The glazed lemon scone served with the traditional Devonshire cream was wonderful. Scones, when properly made, are not sweet and offer just the right shortness. These had a soft, biscuit-like texture. The hint of sweet from the lemon glaze really hit the spot. We nibbled and slathered our scones with just a dab of the cream, and we were in heaven.
We were impressed by the presentation and variety of breads of the tea sandwiches.
The tea sandwiches were dainty and delicate, yet satisfied our appetites nonetheless. Our favorite was an asparagus finger sandwich that had tiny diced bits of the veggie in a light cream between homemade white and hearty rye bread.
A slice of herbed pork tenderloin dabbed with apricot chutney was held in place with a cream topping on a thinly sliced hearty bread.
The carrot cake tea sandwich was delightful. Homemade raisin bread held a light cream cheese filling that included shredded carrots. The flavors melded perfectly.
The cucumber sandwich was quite fancy. A cucumber-flavored spread was layered on a slice of bread that was scalloped along the edges to resemble a flower petal. A thin slice of cucumber sat in the middle.
Although we saved some of our desserts for later, we enjoyed the strawberry cream tart with a sprig of fresh mint in one quick bite. The mint added a pleasing twist.
We figured the decadent chocolate truffle brownie wouldn't carry out well, so we enjoyed it at the restaurant. The square was small, but so rich it was more than enough.
The Girl Scouts have nothing on Alexandra's when it comes to the Thin Mint. Alexandra's features a crisp cookie loaded with fresh chopped mint. The delicate cookie was dipped in chocolate on one side. This cookie was so elegant and satisfying.
Later in the afternoon, we enjoyed a wedge of citrus shortbread -- a cousin of the lemon scone that was thinner and crispier and absolutely delicious with the thin icing and decorative pastel sugars dusting the top.
Compiled by Rebecca Killian, Sis Reola and Liz Hayes. Meals are paid for by the Valley News Dispatch and are unrelated to advertising.
Additional Information:
Alexandra's Tea Room
Address: 931 Pittsburgh St., SpringdalePhone: 724-274-4490
Details: Send an e-mail .
Hours: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Tues.-Sat. (reservations recommended one day ahead)
Credit cards: Accepted
Smoking: No
Handicapped-accessible: No
Price: $17.50
