If you live in northern New Jersey or the Warwick Valley in nearyby NY, I think you might like to take an afternoon off soon and visit Charlotte’s Tea Room. This summer, my sister and I stopped there on the summer day when my broken car was being repaired by Leo Kaytes Ford. We were parched and tired and found refuge in the tea shop, recommended to us by our new friends at the Warwick Antique Barn.
Well, it is absolutely charming. While I was wandering around admiring and taking
pictures, my sister explained that I was a writer and about Solomon’s Puzzle. Everyone was so interested, asking questions, admitting they also had things they wanted to write!
Plates decorate the walk way and inside there was a room of entirely blue and white china, which I have always loved. 
The tea tasted perfect, brisk and strong and very hot.
And the food was fresh and delicious.
When you have high tea at a tea room, first you are served savories. I guess this tradition sprang up so you wouldn’t feel so guilty about all the dessert you were about to consume! The savories were wonderful, small and beautiful. They were complemented by the strong tea and not so big that one felt too full.
I’m still thinking about the desserts. Stefanie had the pineapple upside down cake. they made these in individual molds, so that the sides and top were caramelized just perfectly. Of course I had to try them when I got home. Mine were good, but not as good, I’m sorry to say. I’ll have to keep working at it, I guess. 
My dessert was a cobbler, with the creamiest vanilla ice cream I’ve ever enjoyed! I can still remember the contrast of flavors, cold ice cream tart berries, crisp crust. UMMM.
But best of all was the time to visit and talk. It goes with what I like best about Charlotte’s — the logo… Making friends One Cup At A Time.
It seems the world is full of kindred spirits after all.
Yes, we are always so pleasantly surprised to meet the kindred spirits. I love that you wrote that line. thank you!