The black London cab and the red telephone booth outside the small, yellow cottage set the scene for afternoon tea at The English Tea Room. Nestled adjacent to a picturesque courtyard garden, The English Tea Room is a celebration of global tea and British food and culture. Owners Tim and Jan Lantrip, a builder and pharmacist, respectively, found a way to channel both of their passions into the elegant trans-Atlantic cafe. Tim, for instance, assembled the decor, while Jan champions the health benefits of the more than 150 loose-leaf teas from around the world that line the shelves.

Fine china and linen napkins set the tables where British-inspired meals are served, from bacon-topped breakfast casseroles and coronation chicken-salad sandwiches to shepherd's pie and tea-infused soup. Events such as classic mid-afternoon high tea in the courtyard and themed kid's birthday parties in the secret courtyard that only children can see contribute to the elegant, authentic feel.