By Nancy Dunham
The first time I went to a high tea, I was charmed.
The silver tea sets, the dainty foods, the tasty tea steeped just-so are all parts of a bygone era that aren’t readily available.
The problem is that so few places serve high tea. Some of the larger hotels in the Washington, D.C. area — such as the Ritz-Carlton – serve them occasionally, but the cost is often high, and the schedules are limited. Also, many of the teas are geared toward children or bridal parties.
It was therefore a pleasant surprise to find
The Pink Bicycle Tea Room in
Historic Occoquan, where the employees are charming and the house is just historic enough – with wood plank floors and lace curtains – while offering comfy chairs and spacious tables.
The Tea Room opened in 2001 as the Victorian Lane Tea Room, but when owner Donna Lane found two pink bicycles for sale one day, well, the rest is history. Since Lisa Renee Lucia bought the Tea Room in 2005, it’s continued to evolve.
Look at the Web calendar, and you’ll see all types of special teas built around themes plus luscious, regular teas. The regular teas include The Queen’s Tea for $26 per person. Those include a 3-course Victorian tea that feature choice of soup or salad, a fresh-baked scone served with cream and jam or curd, and a variety of Lady Finger Sandwiches, petite desserts and fresh fruit.
There are many other teas offered at a range of affordable prices, from $10 to $26. No matter what tea you choose, the ambiance alone will make you want to return to the Tea Room again and again.
The Pink Bicycle Tea Room is located at 303 Commerce St., Occoquan, Va. It is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saurday and noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Contact them at 703-491-5216, or visit
www.pinkbicycletearoom.com.