British High Tea in the Dutch Country

June 10, 2009 | Category: Food, Things to Do | Posted by: Adrian

My wife and I enjoy taking tea. We were prompted to do so after I saw a tea magazine in my doctor’s office that mentioned a spot in Gettysburg (now closed, unfortunately). After taking tea there we were hooked and try it anywhere we find a tea house. Well, last December after reading reviews, we decided to try a tea house in Intercourse called Ye Olde English Shoppe. The tea house features a shop that sells tea sets, British flags, British foods, and other acoutrements. The shop is owned and staffed by some very nice and helpful English ladies.

The first time we were there we had High Tea. We have also tried many other items on their menu such as a variety of quiche and salads; meat pies (steak & kidney, Cornish pasties, pork pies, etc.); bangers and mash; and sausage rolls. These are all excellent dishes and I heartily recommend trying them if you don’t opt for the full tea. The meals are also very reasonably priced, around $7 per entree. The full tea is offered with four savories (an assortment of tea sandwiches, two slices each for a total of 8), three cream cakes, and a scone with Devonshire cream and strawberry preserves. They have a nice variety of teas, my favorite being cinnamon plum. The full tea is $17.95, which is cheaper than most tea houses I have visited.

This is a very popular spot with locals and reservations are highly recommended. On my last visit I saw an Amish family enjoying lunch and a large table of conservative Mennonite teens enjoying high tea. It is also popular with groups such as the Red Hat Society. When I was in during both mid-March and mid-May the house was full, so be advised to call.