Who doesn't fancy a mid day break from chaos to have a spot of tea surrounded by dainty china, frilly fabric and petite finger foods? Predictably we (me and three other bridesmaids) hosted an afternoon tea bridal shower. Afternoon tea for babies and bridal showers are so popular, there was one held in their outdoor "secret garden" and ours (indoor) party had to leave by 1:30pm to accompany another party. Whew! Afternoon tea shops are booming business.



The tea house is decorated in red rose prints, gold trimmed and matching fancy scroll tea cups and pots. I, personally love afternoon tea because it isn't often I drink tea or coffee from cutesy china. Everyone is so busy and on-the-go making Starbucks a billion dollar empire we've gotten use to drinking out of a cardboard cup. Tea just taste better in REAL cups.



We began with a few starters not included in the afternoon tea set. The $10.95 Smoked Salmon Platter served with Cream cheese, Capers, Sliced Onion, Lemon and Crostini. The platter was beautifully plated with capers dotted along the lattice lines. I will have to steal this idea when I host my own hello kitty-esque tea party.



We did not want our guests to leave hungry and also went with the Fruit and Cheese (4 choices) Platter served with fresh seasonal fruit, toasted Nuts, and crackers. The pear was thinly sliced and dusted with powdered sugar, it was enough to go around for a party of 16.



We opted for the $19.95 The Bedford's Delight, the largest selection on the menu - a pot of tea, a scone with double devon cream and preserves, six assorted delicious tea sandwiches, mini tea pastries. The tea selection is vast with herbal, black and green, and dessert choices.




The crust less sandwiches came in white and wheat bread and we mixed it up with chicken to cream cheese and cucumbers to accompany different palates. The scones had different dried fruits such as raisins and cranberries. The scones were flaky and very moist.




The mini pastries were disappointing as it looked and tasted like package desserts, selection included - cheesecake, roll ups, and eclairs.




The bridal cake was an almond and banana cake from Cafe Madeline. The cake had the fragrant fresh banana blended into the cake with the toasty rich almond texture. The cake was decorated in purple and yellow (the color theme of the wedding) and a fondant dress and veil. Splendid.




The bride's color theme is yellow and purple (colors which is lucky for the couple according to Chinese supersitution) and the phase "Meant to Bee." The party favors for the guest were decorated lemon shortbread cookies in a shape of a bee. Adorable.



Secret Garden tea house requires pre-ordering for a large party, 18% gratuity and a $2/person cake slice charge, very standard.

My vote for the cutest couple enjoying afternoon tea was a father and his 3 year old daughter.




Secret Garden Tea House
721 Lincoln Way
San Francisco, CA 94122
(415) 566-8834








My sister accidentally matched the decor