Page 157 - South Mississippi Living - September, 2023

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Assorted Tea Cart.
of six (crustless!) sandwiches ranging from Egg Salad to Pimento Cheese to Roast Beef with Mustard Horseradish. And of course, no tea sandwich offering would be complete without the mandatory service of a Cucumber Sandwich.
An additional assortment of savory snacks that rotate throughout the seasons is also available. Nichols’ signature Shrimp Paste on Toast is a customer favorite, but goes along perfectly with Mini Crab Quiche, Spinach and Artichoke Phyllo Cup and the Cranberry Cheese Ball, to name a few. House-made Apple Cinnamon and Earl Grey Scones are served next, and each come with their own addition of Clotted Cream and Lemon Curd. The dessert course (yes, there’s more!) features Biscotti, Pecan Tarts, Macarons and a signature presentation of Pecan Praline Bread Pudding. Every bite is perfection.
Although the food is a highlight of any afternoon tea, the real star of the show is – and should always be – the tea. Gardenia Tea Room shines in this arena, offering a full assortment
of black, oolong, white, green, and herbal teas. Traditional Earl Grey is a go-to choice, but Nichols suggests stepping out of your comfort zone. I love all things green tea, so the White Peach Matcha was my first selection. The Banana Split Herbal and the Black Dragon Oolong were also table favorites. Gardenia Tea Room allows its guests to sample the teas of other guests, which is an excellent way to explore and discover something new.
The Gardenia Tea Room is a unique gem and somewhere I could easily visit once a week. Nichols emphasizes the need to take time for each other and find a place where you can slow down and enjoy the company of friends and family. A family affair of her own, Nichols’ daughter Syndey is on hand, arranging beautiful floral accents for the tea room and offering grab-n-go bouquets as a take home treat, while daughter Milan helps with all aspects of the tea service.
Afternoon tea is available Thursday through Saturday with seatings at 1 and 3 p.m., and Sundays with a seating at 2 p.m. This is truly a magical experience, so let that inner child in you shine and don’t worry – it’s okay to add a little (or a lot) of sugar. This is the South, after all.
Banana Split Tea.
Children’s Tea Plate.
Dessert Plate.
Gardenia Afternoon Tea.
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