Sipping Afternoon Tea at the Washington Duke Inn
I was treated to afternoon tea at the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club at their Fairview Dining room. All opinions are 100% mine.
There is nothing more Southern and proper than afternoon tea. I remember watching Gone with the Wind and thinking how elegant Scarlett looked sitting on the porch sipping her tea from a proper china cup. There is just something so relaxing and sophisticated about the whole thing. That is why when Courtney and I had the chance to participate in afternoon tea at the Fairview Dining room on the grounds of the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club, we knew we just had to do it.
Let me first start that we didn’t know that they had afternoon tea when we went to our appointment with Chef Murray Healey ( who was amazing by the way) of the Fairview Dining room. But after chatting with him for a while ( more on that later), we knew that we had to experience this luxury. So between Chef Murray and Drew who is the food and beverage service manager, we were treated to an afternoon of delicious treats and southern hospitality.
But before I get into the food let me tell you a little bit about how impressed I was with this place. When I walked up to the hostess section to let them know that we were here for my appointment with Chef Murray we were greeted with smiles.
As they went back to check with Chef Murray, Drew walked up and introduced himself to me. He said that he read my blog and that he hoped to make some woman a “frugal mom” someday. Wow right? When I was researching them, they were also doing their research on me. I mean folks seriously how many places do you know research their guests? I was totally blown away.
So after chatting with Chef Murray, more on that interview in the week to come on the blog so check back. We were directed to a beautifully set table near the patio for tea. While we were getting situated the Director of Operations Don Ball came by on his day off no less.
It seems he was at the Duke Basketball game and came by to check on his staff and Chef Murray introduced him to us. We ended up having a nice chat with him. Did I mention how southern hospitality reigns here? He was even kind enough to take a picture of Courtney and I together how awesome is that?
Now onto the tea service. I will say I was impressed with the varieties of tea they had for guests to try. I also love that the teas came on their own menu. How fancy right? We decided on vanilla almond tea. I love that we each had our own teapot and proper china teacup and saucer.
The tea was yummy, but the food was divine. I mean just look at it. Although I usually don’t finish what is on my plate, I had to sample all the yumminess that you see on display. I am not a big fan of pimento cheese but guess what after tasting the tea sandwich made with pimento cheese I am now. Wow, talk about tempting my taste buds.
I honestly don’t think that any words that I can write could describe the food any better than these pictures could.And let’s just say that I did finish what was on my plate.
If you are ever in Durham on a Wednesday through Sunday from 2:30-4:30 make sure you stop in for Afternoon Tea at the Fairview Dining Room at the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club in Durham, I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Check back for more posts about our stay at the Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club.
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I drink tea often at home, but I have never had tea elsewhere. This looks like a fun experience. I will have to keep it in mind if I am ever in the area. It looks like you had quite the time!
The food served with the tea looks really good. I have been to the UK several times but never had a proper tea service.
I absolutely love going for afternoon tea! We do it a lot here in Lancashire, England and my favourite is going with my mum!
These looks like a lovely place to visit. We have an Inn not too far from us that is similar. I really need to make plans to visit it with a friend.
Lovely place! Glad you all enjoyed. Afternoon tea is such a delightful experience.
I don’t really drink tea – especially in the afternoon as it sometimes makes it challenging for me to fall asleep at night. But I like afternoon tea for the biscuits that come with it. And wow! The food looks delicious there! I am egg and dairy intolerant though, so I wonder if they could work around this restriction. Thanks for sharing!
What a fun afternoon. I’ve heard great things about the Washington Duke Inn, but have never been myself! I love a place with great food and great service and it looks like they had both!
This reminds me so much of being a kid. Every afternoon my grandma sat down to have a cup of tea and s piece of whatever snack cake she had on the kitchen counter. How I looked forward to our chats and remember them still today. x
You have no idea how much I would LOVE to do this! I have only had tea like this one time in my life and it was one of my favorite things ever! So special! If I am ever in that area you bet I will go!
You should you won’t be sorry
Wow, I have had tea many times at home, but really never at such an Inn. The snacks looked perfect with the tea and I’m sure this afternoon tea was a memorable one. I shall too look out for such offerings from my nearby Inn.
Wow, I have had tea many times at home, but really never at such an Inn. The snacks looked perfect with the tea and I’m sure this afternoon tea was a memorable one. I shall too look out for such offerings from my nearby Inn. Thanks
Tea is my favorite. I drink it every morning and through out the day when I am working. I love going for tea with my BFF so this looks like a place we would love. ALong with the tea the best part is those tiny little treats! What a fun place to go. Thanks for sharing.
Afternoon tea is one of my favourite things as you get to taste and try so many things. Looks like a great one you had x
I find it interesting that the place also researched you before you turned up. I didnt realise companies did this. Looks like a brilliant place!
Oh, I love ‘the ceremony’ of drinking tea. I I drink tea a lot and every time I prepare a full package for myself – the proper china cup and plate, saucer, biscuits…? I am glad that you enjoyed your tea time:-)
Yep I was surprised as well
It was amazing
The tiny treats were amazing.
As a Brit (I moved to the US three years ago), I can say I’m a bit of an expert at afternoon tea. This looks pretty delightful, the deviled eggs are unexpected but I love them so totally approve, lol. Crustless sandwiches, mini cakes, tea from a pot… perfect!
I love afternoon tea! I’m impressed that you got to choose from a variety of teas – I’ve never had vanilla almond before but it sounds delicious. Hope you enjoyed it!
Rosie
http://www.rosieromance.com
This sounds like a great experience and your photographs prove that it was indeed great! The food looks awesome! I don’t stay anywhere near your part of the world but if I ever do visit, this place in my list! 🙂 Thanks for sharing.
Do drop by my blog as well : http://styleovercoffee.com 🙂
I am a tea lover too! I think I should have been born British, lol! I go for organic tea these days. Those treats look yum 🙂
Oh how lovely! Afternoon tea is my absolute favourite thing to do and it’s become so popular over here!
Wow what a great experience you had. I love having afternoon tea and catching up with my friends. It’s nice that you had a great service and food plus you were able to meet the chef and operations manager too.
Those treats look delish and the serving amazing. I would love to drop in on the Afternoon Tea at the Fairview when I’m next in town.
What a lovely experience. Being in the hotel industry myself, I like how they took the guest experience up a notch by personalizing it and researching about you!
Wow, I feel like you had a great time out there. Even I love afternoon tea. The snacks looked perfect with the tea and that too at the Inn. These desserts and eggs are awesome to have with tea. I’ve never gone to such an amazing inn. Feeling jealous.
Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club is such a beautiful property. The food looks amazing too! I really want to visit an inn for afternoon tea after reading your post.
I’ve always wanted to experience a formal tea, it looks so fun! Looks like you guys had a wonderful experience.
This property is gorgeous! I’m a total tea snob and am so jealous that you got to experience this. I’ve been thinking about planning a tea and cheese platter brunch for my birthday next year and definitely want to imitate this experience!
Melissa your afternoon was not boring for sure, great pictures. I never tasted a pimento cheese before, hm wondering how it is. I think these tea afternoons bring us joy and relaxation that we miss in our busy schedules. Hope I will visit this place once.