Afternoon Tea at O. Henry Hotel - Greensboro, NC

As I found out last year, making a reservation at the O. Henry for tea at Christmas time has to be made months in advance.  So this year, through their online booking, I reserved it in October for Friday, December 8 at 3:00. 

It is quite apparent that this is a popular time for tea in their Social Lobby, because it was very crowded. The last time we were here was four years ago in July, and there were fewer people. 

The O. Henry offers four Afternoon Tea selections (menu) as well as a variety of tea.  As a note the price for the O. Henry tea is now $18.95 + tax and gratuity.

Three of us had O. Henry Teas (which is their full tea), and one a Light Afternoon Tea. Our personal tea choices were Earl Gray Supreme, Queen Catherine, Paris, and Jasmine Green Tea.

 

Our tea was served first.  Once again, it would be nice if a tea cozy or warmer were provided to keep the tea hot. I am going to have to begin bringing my own!

 The assorted sweets were a macaron, mini pumpkin cheesecake, red velvet cake triangle surrounding cream and sprinkled with coconut, and a snickerdoodle.  Spicy cheddar wafers are beside the cream and lemon curd with the scones.

Cucumber finger sandwich, Mini ham, brie and fig croissant, Smoked salmon with arugula mayonnaise, Seasonal tea quiche, and Chicken salad filo tart topped with a sliced grape.

The Light Afternoon Tea

Reynolda House and the Cold Case Mystery

 

 

An exhibition surrounding the real life cold case mystery of Zachary Smith Reynolds, the youngest son of R.J. and Katherine, is now on display in the Reynolda House.  

Yesterday, sister and I went to see it at the Mary and Charlie Babcock Wing Gallery.  Upon arrival, we decided to tour the exhibit first instead of the house, due to a large tour group that arrived at the same time. 

Smith Reynolds

Smith's wife, Libby Holman Reynolds

 

 

 

 

 

What a view out the picture window.

The opened door on the right leads to the basement.

Base of a table in the dining room

The Lake Porch

View from the Lake Porch over looking what used to be Lake Katherine in the distance

The Reception Hall from the Balcony

Organ pipes are behind the tapestry

The East Bedroom Sleeping Porch where Smith Reynolds was shot.  This area has been closed to the public before now.  It is off of the East Master Bedroom that is usually a display gallery.  

In the attic

The newly opened Ping Pong room, available for visitors to enjoy.

 

 

A beautiful October day

Reynolda Gardens

Collard Greens

Papaya Tree

Back of the house coming from the gardens

The foot bridge and waterfall are on the walking trail that connects Reynolda Village and Wake Forest University

The Johnson House Bakery & Tea Room - Mocksville, NC

 

Today was an early birthday outing.  My sisters and I went on a country drive to the Farmington community outside of Mocksville to try a new tea room that has opened - The Johnson House Bakery & Tea Room. 

 

Afternoon Tea reservations are at 11:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m. Tuesday - Saturday, with two tea services offered, The Afternoon Tea or Brunch.  The cost for either of these is $22 for Adults (if paying cash; plus tax and gratuity).

I was informed when making the reservation, that a large party was expected around the same time we were to be there, so had the option of staying downstairs with the others, or upstairs in the study for a quieter experience.  

Downstairs dining area

Upstairs study

Our table was already set with hostess plates and cups. A waitress brought the tea menu.

While waiting for our tea, we took in the decor that brought back memories of my Vermilyea Grandparents' house, and listened to a variety of instrumental music ranging from piano to bluegrass that included "Blessed Assurance" and "Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus".

 

We ordered three different flavors of tea - Irish Breakfast, Yorkshire and Earl Gray.  Unfortunately, no provisions were made to keep the tea hot before and during serving, so one of the teas was lukewarm upon arrival.  It would have been nice if tea warmers or cozies were provided for a better experience.

The Afternoon Tea option: Chicken salad in a homemade roll, cucumber slice and tomato with cream cheese spread on white bread, and fruit. The "scones" turned out be triangle dinner rolls sprinkled with powder sugar.  Sweets were served later.  

The Brunch option: Quiche, savory cheese danish, fruit, "scone", and sweets

The "scones" were served with cream, and fig & peach jam

 

Our tea party was interrupted when "The National Anthem" started playing, so we made a scramble to stand!  Make sure the sound is on, and enjoy the video.😊

 

The sweets were orange peel cake with lemon frosting, and pumpkin cake with whipped topping

Bakery

Gift Shop

View of the garden from the back patio