Dan's Papers - June 6, 2008 - Tea Time Cottage

It's a good thing that Margaret & Jim, the owners of the charming Tea Time Cottage, believe that 'any time is tea time' since, at present, they close at four in the afternoon, the traditional time for tea back in the land of my birth and the home of "tea time!" In fact, that small anomaly will soon be corrected because open hours will shortly be until six p.m. Margaret & Jim have owned the property since 1999 and when they purchased it there was just a three acre field with a run down, circa 1930 dilapidated cottage on it. Jim bought the site to develop and expand his landscaping and water plant and pond business but also decided to renovate the cottage and turn it into a tearoom. Tea Time Cottage now has an exterior resplendent in pink and blue and a charming welcoming interior with lots of wood and displays of teapots (for sale as well). All of the interior renovation was carried out by him and his crew and the result is very pleasing to the eye.

Talking with Jim and Margaret, their love of the North Fork and their feeling for the local farms and vineyards comes through very strongly. They have carried a wine theme through to their tea selections. The list of teas is laid out and annotated rather like a wine list and is complete with brewing times for perfect results. This is a great place for everyone who really loves a perfectly brewed pot of tea and the only problem is one of choice. Currently there are around forty teas available. They come from all over the world and include all types of tea. Naturally you can enjoy a traditional English breakfast tea, but if your taste is more exotic then the well known Earl Grey is there with its hint of bergamot. White teas, black teas, green teas and herbal and fruit based teas, you name it, you will probably find it.

Tea Time Cottage opens at 10 a.m. seven days a week and apart from offering a 'cuppa', they also serve soups, sandwiches, scones and cakes. Soups are varied and may include a butternut squash and apple or asparagus with brie. The sandwich selection includes chicken salad and a traditional egg salad version and they plan to extend their selection. Recently they have started to have barbecue offerings on weekends and these have already proved to be very popular and again this part of the menu may well expand as the season goes on. A lot depends on just what can be done in the space available, while ensuring that quality and service do not suffer.

Scones and cakes are supplied by Junda's Pastry Crust & Crumbs in Jamesport and the raisin scone with whipped cream and strawberry jam and the blueberry cake were really excellent. They do not serve coffee here but coffee addicts often try and fully enjoy the South American mate tea, renowned for giving the effects of coffee without any caffeine, or the chai tea with its deep hints of masala, cinnamon, ginger, vanilla and cardamom. All of the teas can be taken with milk, honey or sugar and again this is very much a matter of individual taste.

Apart from the charms and relaxing atmosphere of the cottage, patrons are invited to take a walk around the grounds. There are a number of goats that fit perfectly into the rural surroundings but the highlight has to be the botanical gardens that Jim and Margaret designed and built. It is hard to believe that only a few years ago there wasn't even a tree on the property, as you sit in the shade and inhale the fragrance of a beautiful wisteria vine or admire the waterfalls and stonework of one of the large ponds. When the weather permits, these are beautiful areas to sit in with your tea and refreshments. There is also an enclosed tropical garden with some very beautiful exotic flowering tropical plants. The site will soon be further enhanced when Jim and Margaret's new log home is erected there after being transported from British Columbia. Jim is also preparing a large part of the property to expand the amount of lavender they grow, which is sold in the cottage.

Tea Time Cottage is a great addition to the places to visit on the North Fork, where it is easy just to relax after a day of touring the wine country or simply is somewhere to drop into while passing to enjoy a first class pot of tea -- all teas are made from leaves, of course. Tea bags are not allowed!