Staying at the Beach in the Off Season!

I just spent four days at the beach..over Thanksgiving!

The beach is very different during the winter, but still has a magical air to it, even though it was about 20 degrees. I still took walks on the beach and went shopping at my favorite places...forget black friday shopping at the malls! I did most of my gift-buying on LBI in Beach Haven, New Jersey and totally enjoyed supporting the small businesses such as How to Live and Country Kettle Chowda.

My fiance's family was going to be full up at the beach house, so we opted to stay at the open-year-round Engleside Inn where we also could bring our doggie. For several days, we enjoyed staying here, walking on the beach, dining for lunch and seeing our family and enjoying Thanksgiving. 

This inn is great any time of year and quite comfortable. We also enjoyed the sushi lunch which is offered every Friday and Saturday during the non-summer times.

If you find yourself in LBI, do yourself a favor and a book a room with a soaking tub and a view of the ocean and enjoy some great food- you'll be glad you did!

"The spring, summer, is quite a hectic time for people in their lives, but then it comes to autumn, and to winter, and you can't but help think back to the year that was, and then hopefully looking forward to the year that is approaching."

-Enya

A Taste of Britain, Indeed: A Tearoom Review

Mmm tea. In scones, in my cup, in my blender, in my iced mug. I love tea all ways but none other than within afternoon tea. When I found out about A Taste of Britain in Wayne, PA, my fiancé Stephen and I took a gorgeous Saturday drive to Wayne, and to enjoy a lazy, relaxing, delicious afternoon!

Owner Debbie Heth knows tea, and with delicious fresh loose leaf teas from prime tea regions, I knew that our lunch was going to be special. We arrived at this gorgeous restful place off Route 30, tucked among other cute shops and headed in.

When we first stepped in, the entrance was set up as an English country store, with delicacies and sweets not normally found in the US, only in Britain. Cadbury Milk Trays, Spotted Dick, shortbreads, digestives, treacle, pasties, clotted cream and specialty teas are all available for purchase, along with a special selection of tea ware and Royal Family items.

After being seated in a cozy table in a patch of sunshine, Steve and I viewed the menu. We both chose our teas, him with a hot pot of rich Assam, and me with the sweet and powerful white and green tea blended with pomegranate. The Assam is a full-bodied tea with hints of malt and when cream and sugar is added, is a delightfully smooth cup of tea. My tea exploded on my tongue with fresh, sweet, flavors. I didn’t even need to add anything to my tea! We each drank about three pots of our tea with our meals.

We both decided on the pasties for lunch. I chose the savory cheese and onion within a tender pastry and a salad, while Stephen enjoyed the rich ground beef and potato pasty with baked beans. This lunch was truly a savory, delicious experience.

 

For dessert, we enjoyed lemon scones, and an assortment of treats: sweet petit fours, mini vanilla cupcakes with sweet icing, fudgy brownie bites and tart lemon and raspberry bars.
 

The entire lunchtime experience was relaxing and delicious. One of my favorite places for sure!

A Taste of Britain also hosts many events per year- Mother’s Day Tea, Valentine’s Day Tea, Winter Tea, private parties such an birthdays or showers, and also does catering for an event within the shoppe or within your home.

You can find A Taste of Britain within the Eagle Village Shops, 503 West Lancaster Avenue, Wayne, PA.
Call for reservations at 610-971-0390

 

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