Melody Wren's Tea Rooms of Southern Ontario

Janet Arnett is the former campus manager of adult education at Ontario’s Georgian College. She is the author of Antiques and Collectibles: Starting Small, The Grange at Knock, and 673 Ways to Save Money.

From Sarnia to Ottawa, from Toronto to the Kawarthas, this guide
introduces more than 80 quality establishments to enjoy afternoon tea in
south and south-central Ontario. Each tea room featured “earned”
admission to the guide by providing an interesting decor, quality
homemade food, and an appreciation for the fine art of brewing and
serving tea.

The guide starts with a brief history of tea and much tea lore before
moving on to note the revival of the Victorian tea room and all its
relaxing pleasures. Generalities aside, the bulk of the book is devoted
to description of the specific tea rooms. Location, hours, and owners’
names are followed by a page on whatever is unique and of special
interest. Perhaps it is the antique china, the dessert menu, or the
wallpaper. Or maybe the special quiche on the lunch menu or the table
linens earn a mention. The result of this unstructured approach is that
the reader has a good idea what to expect, and what it will cost;
disappointments are minimized.

The guide could be the inspiration for a mini-vacation or the core of
an interesting weekend outing.