Dine: Maybe Your Cup of Tea

Seen from outside, the South Eola business owned by mother-daughter team Flor Maria Velez and Keishla Estela looks like an antique store, or a particularly pretty workshare space. But once you’re inside, the bright white space with its wall of vintage mirrors, cubbies filled with cups and pots, and well-dressed young women (and men) conversing at tables set with lace runners reveals itself as a mannered and tasteful spot for afternoon tea.

Just past its third anniversary, The Tea Room Experience is purely for tea, finger sandwiches and sweets—no breakfast or lunch—Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Special events for Easter, Mother’s Day and this month’s Daddy & Me tea on June 15 attract families.

“We meet amazing people,” says Velez, who plans an expansion.

Estela is a certified sommelier from the International Tea Masters Association, selecting teas for drinking and including in scones, cupcakes and cookies (all the baking, except for bread for those tiny sandwiches, is done on premises).

Afternoon tea—including a choice of leaf, organic and herbal teas, the finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones with house-made Devonshire cream, and miniature pastries—is $19.99; smaller assortments and a special kids’ tea run $11.50 to $13.

420 E Church St., Orlando
407-219-4380
thetearoomexperience.com
(reservations required)
—J.H.