The rear entrance at Beyond the Garden Gate, 5706 Main St. in Ooltewah.
photo by Janet Wilson
It has been almost two years since I last visited Beyond the Garden Gate at Streetside Tea Room & Gifts, located at 5706 Main St. in Ooltewah, so a friend and I visited there for a recent lunch.
Attention has been paid to every aspect of detail in the two-story building. The patio area in the back (where you park and enter) has an inviting feel, featuring a plant-covered archway and welcome signs. Rooms are such that almost every room is a private area.
The tables feature tablecloths, most with lace toppers, and napkins so nice I didn’t want to use them. They are more like satin than linen, with embroidery on one corner. Nothing has gone unnoticed. Tables are set with fresh flowers, crystal salt and pepper shakers, sugar bowls with cubed sugar and gold tongs, and even silverware rests.
I ordered a glass of the Raspberry Iced Tea from our English server. The Garden Gate does have a full menu of hot teas, but I remembered from previous visits how refreshing this iced drink was.
It was a difficult decision as we wanted to try everything. Sandwiches include Chicken Salad on a Croissant with Cranberry Congealed Salad ($9.50), Roast Beef and Pepper Jack Cheese on warm toasted Wheat Berry Bread with veggie slaw ($9.75), and Homemade Pimento Cheese on Sweet Buttermilk Bread with a side salad ($9.25). On this day, the soup was Creamy Butter Bean.
The Salads were equally tempting – Mixed Greens with egg, tomato, bacon and Colby cheese with hot bacon herb dressing ($9.25), and fresh pears on mixed greens, gorgonzola, sugared pecan cranberries served with raspberry dressing ($9.50).
Both of us finally decided on the Garden Gate Sample Plate – scoops of chicken salad and pimento cheese with a small croissant, quiche (on this day it was broccoli and cheese), fruit with dip in a small tulip bowl and congealed salad ($9.95). I also ordered the Creamy Butter Bean soup ($2.50 if ordered with an entrée).
Each of the homemade foods is so delicious and served beautifully - worth the expense – especially with the ambience.
We did try a new cake recipe they are working on – flourless chocolate cake. The cake was delicious, but they are still “discovering” the right mix of ingredients for the frosting.
Advance reservations are required for the Streetside and Magnolia Teas. Each features Scones, Tea Sandwiches and a variety of other items.
Beyond the Garden Gate at Streetside is definitely a place you will want to visit. A nice, relaxing atmosphere for an enjoyable afternoon – and rated #1 in the State of Tennessee by Teamap.com
Hours for lunch are Tuesday through Friday and the second and fourth Saturday of the month from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. The Gift Shop is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
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The front entrance at Beyond the Garden Gate.
photo by Janet Wilson