Inside The English Rose
photo by Janet Wilson
We recently visited The English Rose, an authentic British Tea Room & Shop,
located at 1401 Market Street, in the area of the Chattanooga Choo-Choo.
The Tea Room area is very small, housing approximately ten tables, with
lovely cream-colored, lacey tablecloths over solid tablecloths showing through the lace. Each table is set with flowers and beautifully patterned dishes with fabric napkins coordinated to the table settings.
We found the service to be attentive and noticed that each of the servers
would give a "helping hand" to the others. If we finished a dish and
another server walked by, they would take the plate away. If they noticed
you were "empty" on your drink, they would refill your drink, even though
they were not your server. We found this to be impressive due to the fact
that no matter how busy each was, they took the time to stop and take care of "little things" on another's table.
I ordered hot tea, which was served in a lovely teapot with a gathered cover wrapped around the pot to keep it warm, while the handle and spout were free. I noticed the tables with a larger number of people received larger teapots with a covering that dropped over the pot to keep it hot. It is small things like this that tell you their goal is to make their customers' experience a pleasant one.
We had a small wait for a table and enjoyed looking through the shelves of
the shop. Although there aren't many shelves, they are packed with English
goodies and trinkets.
Lunch at The English Rose is served from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. and all lunches are served with Mashed Potatoes and a choice of Green Peas, British Baked
Beans or a Small Green Salad, with prices at $6.95 and $7.95. All the
choices sounded so yummy, we kept moving back and forth between different items until our server showed up with her order pad - then we had to make that final decision. On the back of the menu, for the "English Illiterate", there is a list of descriptions so you will know exactly what you are ordering. I had no idea "Bangers" were English Sausages ($6.95) and a "Cornish Pastie" was steak, onion, carrot, and potatoes wrapped in a pastry pocket ($7.95) - nor did we know that a "Cottage Pie" was ground sirloin
with mixed vegetables and gravy baked in a casserole topped with mashed
potatoes ($7.95)
We decided to start off with a ½ cup of the Soup of the Day. There were
really two choices on this day - Potato Leek and Vegetable Beef. We both decided on the Potato Leek, which was absolutely delicious. It had a very creamy consistency with plenty of potatoes and was served with a fresh, warm roll.
Everything sounded so good; I needed assistance from our server, Victoria.
She highly recommended the Dover Sole (stuffed with Scallops and Crab)
($7.95) - so she talked me into it. Wayne finally settled on the Steak &
Mushroom Pie ($7.95). He thought the pie was delicious - prepared in a tall
bowl and covered with a lightly browned crust, but felt the British Baked Beans tasted just like regular beans without the pork - nothing special. I have to agree with Victoria that the Dover Sole was extremely good. It was moist and juicy, and very tasty.
Of course, after eating such wonderful food, we couldn't just leave. We would have to sample one of those desserts, too. I decided on the Sherry Trifle (layers of sponge cake and raspberries soaked in Sherry and topped with custard, cream, cherry and almonds) ($3.25), while Wayne chose the Knickerbocker Glory (a tall glass of layered ice cream, fresh tropical fruit with either hot chocolate fudge or caramel and cherry and almonds) ($3.95).
There are many other offerings on the menu including "Afternoon Tea" ($9.95
per person) and a "Victorian Tea" ($12.95 per person). The Afternoon Tea includes a Pot of Tea, Assorted Sandwiches, Scone with Devon Cream served with Jam and Lemon Curd and an Assortment of English Biscuits. The
Victorian Tea includes all items in The Afternoon Tea, plus Choice of
Dessert and English Cheese and Crackers. These two "Teas" are served all day long.
So many things sounded so scrumptious, I feel sure we will be paying The English Rose another visit. We left with them the information on our Chef's Corner, so maybe we will be able to get a recipe to share with you.
The English Rose is open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Lunch is served from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. and they are closed on Sunday.
(Janet Wilson is an owner/writer for Chattanooga Dine Out, a website devoted solely to reviewing restaurants in Chattanooga and the surrounding area. For a list of all reviewed restaurants (including the Five Star winners), as well as a complete directory of all area restaurants, visit our website at CHATTANOOGA DINE OUT )
Tea room is located near the Choo Choo
photo by Janet Wilson