Spill The Tea

Sip your Way through The English Tea Room Experience.

BY POPPY TOOKER

WALK INTO THE ENGLISH TEA ROOM in downtown Covington and you are magically transported to the British Isles. The charming cottage filled with art, antiques and collectibles provides a classic setting for an authentic high tea experience. From freshly baked scones with clotted cream to exquisite tea sandwiches and sweets, it’s a perfect place to linger as you travel back in time.

Visitors from as far away as Europe and South America seek out the tea room for their astounding selection of teas. With 267 varieties in the collection, the English Tea Room is one of the largest suppliers of looseleaf teas in the United States. Tea is the passion of owner Jan Lantrip, a compound pharmacist by trade. “Tea feeds your body on a cellular level,” Lantrip says. “Each cup is packed full of antioxidants and increases serotonin levels in your brain, providing a sense of well-being.” Once you select your favorite, it can ship to you anywhere in the world.

The full menu includes dishes rarely seen on this side of the pond like Scotch Eggs or Bangers and Mash, but Lantrip’s specialty is “tea cuisine.” Everything from soups to salad dressings incorporate tea. Spicy masala chai shines in the Coronation Chicken Salad, a recipe traced back to Queen Elizabeth’s coronation.

After twenty years in business, the English Tea Room has become a staple experience of Covington. Sit back and enjoy the parade of children dressed in hats and tiaras celebrating birthdays while making some cherished memories of your own. Reserve your tea time at englishtearoom.com