3 minute read
HIGH TEA in Eagle
PHOTO COURTESY OF CHATEAU DES FLEURS.
by Kyley Jolna
Château des Fleurs’ gorgeous marble, glass, and gilded surroundings are reminiscent of ancient palaces, and paintings from Hungarian artist Lajos Marks adorn the walls of this European dreamland. When you enter, you are transported to another place and time.
In the mid-’80s, Susan Roghani (formerly Susan Camille Beckman) built a beauty business and moved its headquarters to Boise. Now, the estate offers fine dining, weddings, and even an Afternoon Tea, held most Wednesdays from 1-3 p.m.
Early for my tea time, I decided to check out the grounds that I’ve heard resemble the famous Versailles in France. Although it is winter, you could see how spring will bring the grounds to life, grassy lawns leading to private gardens and a line of trees in the distance, a walkway that gives way to an arbor. In total, Eagle’s Château des Fleurs spans over 40 acres.
Inside, the ballroom was packed with round tables ensconced in pure white linens, creamy floral arrangements, and warm company. Together, folks were enjoying tea, nibbles, and conversation.
At High Tea service on Wednesday afternoons, guests of varying ages are treated to a formal European elegance with sweets and scones. Tea is a festive occasion where the attire is as varied as the guestlist—school girls with their mothers decked out in hats and fascinators, proper ladies, and even bachelorette parties celebrating their bride in vibrant outfits.
Seated with my party, we began with wine from Roghani Vineyards located in the Snake River Valley. There were plenty of tea choices to compliment the selection of delicate pastries and cakes, and each of us chose a different type. Rooibos, black, and green teas, with secondary ingredients like pepper, vanilla, and lavender make choosing difficult.
On the table, a triple hourglass tea timer allows you to perfectly steep your tea however you like—light, medium, or strong. Once our tea arrived in personal teapots, I flipped the timer and waited.
Sipping slowly through discussion and laughter, the hour slid away. Even the restrooms were lovely there, all marble and gold. At the wash station, I was delighted to find Camille Beckman items on the shelf.
The Chateau is much more than just another enchanting event venue; it is a place for extraordinary gatherings.
