Victorian High Tea

May 2, 2010
Bobby and Beverly got us grand high tea reservations at The Empress in Little Rock for my birthday. It was very impressive, and the spread was much larger than at Intercontinental on the Plaza in Kansas City.

We had some pomegranate tea with cucumber pumpernickel sandwiches, brie and fig sandwiches, and chicken salad sandwiches (that had craisins, hazelnuts, and green onion). I began with the scones accompanied by clotted cream--which our hostess told us how to make!--and lemon curd and fresh fruit. For dessert, there were delicious raspberry pinwheels made with angel food cake (not the artificial store cake either), tea bread, and "Arkansas Johnny Reb Cakes." Chocolate-covered cherries were supposed to round out the tea, but we couldn't eat any...we didn't even get to everything else!

We also got a tour of the inn after tea. The ground floor is comprised of parlours, the dining room, the kitchen, and office space. The second floor is where the suites are located; there is also a basement.

The attic, which we also viewed briefly because it was too hot and I started feeling ill and The Empress's ghost possessed me, was originally a space for the owner and his gentlemen guests to play poker without any repercussions. Mr. Hornibrook had a staircase installed with its own entrance so the men could enter without being seen; servants were also sent up into the tower to act as lookouts. They say the attic is still haunted b poker players... :)
We also checked out The Secret Garden.

the gorgeous fountain in The Secret Garden

Thank you guys! We had a wonderful Victorian time!!