Text by Katherine Ellis • Photography by John O’Hagan
Located merely 50 miles from the hustle and bustle of New York City, the charming town of Warwick lies in the historic Hudson Valley, where nature and charming villages coincide. Warwick, which might possibly be most picturesque in the autumnal months, is home to apple orchards, quaint villages, and Charlotte’s Tea Room.
An oasis for those who wish to slow down and smell the roses, so to speak, Charlotte’s provides a pleasurable stop in town for small bites, flowing cups of tea, great ambiance, and a much-needed getaway. Housed in a lovely old, two-story, brick building with a wraparound porch, the tearoom has been in business since 2007, thanks to the leadership of Joanne Graney. Joanne’s background was in advertising, set design, and production until she decided to open a store selling invitations and other odds and ends. When she discovered that every restaurant in town was overly busy for lunch, she decided to start serving a “tea for two” with quiche and salads in the back of her retail store. The space only allowed for 10 seats, which was fine until the town got word of her new lunch special, and the demand quickly outgrew the small space. Joanne knew that the only way she could keep up with business would be to move locations. She serendipitously found a stately Victorian house for sale only two blocks from her current store. “I’ve been in this house for 20 years now,” Joanne states. “And I seat 65 people now.”
When asked if she remembers her first experience drinking tea, Joanne quickly responds, “With my grandmother, of course.” Joanne’s deep-seated love for tea and blue-and-white china is a product of her dear matriarch’s influence, which carries over to the tearoom. “Blue Willow is what my grandmother used,” Joanne recalls. “It’s always calming and something that is definitely a part of me.” A plethora of dishes in that classic pattern can be found on display in the tearoom, which also features antique furnishings, mismatched china, and bookshelves filled to the brim with novels, tea tins, and teacups galore. It’s an eclectic mix of tea things that makes the setting seem homey and wonderfully full of well-loved treasures.
A visit to Charlotte’s Tea Room is quite different from the fast-paced culture of most present-day dining experiences. There is no Wi-Fi at the tearoom for a reason. It’s designed to be a place where people gather to truly connect with one another devoid from distracting devices. Once seated in the enchanting environment, guests select their beverage of choice to commence the experience. Charlotte’s tea service, their most popular menu item at $30 per person, affords unlimited pots of Harney & Sons tea blends and the three requisite courses known by tea lovers—their menu also boasts favorites for non–tea drinkers as well as quiche, paninis, salads, charcuterie boards, and much more. Next, a marvelously full tiered stand featuring an assortment of delectable savories and scones is brought to the table. For the savories, six tasty sandwiches with traditional fillings, such as olive and Cheddar tapenade, egg salad, ham salad, and curried chicken salad, are sure to satisfy every teatime craving. The tea sandwiches are plentiful and take up two tiers of the stand. Displayed on the top tier are the marvelous and much-anticipated scones, served with imported clotted cream from England, heart-shaped clarified butter, and homemade lemon curd. In the fall, delicious scones in flavors such as cranberry-orange, pumpkin, and apple-cinnamon tend to grace the menu. Sweets are presented last, as they are typically served warm or with ice cream. Cheesecake petit fours, madeleines, bread pudding (another nod to Joanne’s grandmother), brownie sundaes, and fruit cobblers are on rotation. All of the food items are a hybrid between English staples and homespun American favorites.
If searching for an on-the-go option or an incredible gift for a loved one, Charlotte’s also provides ready-made baskets for purchase filled with their delectable goodies and various accoutrements. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Joanne brilliantly came up with the idea to stay in business by providing themed baskets for the public that showcase her homemade items. In the summer, scrumptious lemon scones, fresh lemonade, and the tearoom’s signature lemon curd were bundled in a package. Due to the popularity, the gift baskets have stayed in production far past the pandemic. This has even evolved into the popular “Tea for Two Picnic Service,” in which customers pick up a fully stocked vintage picnic basket with the aforementioned tea service as well as all necessary utensils, plates, and, of course, a picnic blanket. For an additional fee, customers can even coordinate to have a full picnic set up for them at the location of their choice to be waiting for their arrival.
Charlotte’s Tea Room provides the Warwick community and beyond with a special and time-honored escape from the busyness of life. Its offerings are unique, memorable, and inviting. “It’s something for everyone,” Joanne remarks. “We’re not fast food. When people do come, they come and stay as long as they want to enjoy the company of who they are having lunch with. All they have to choose is what tea they want.”
Charlotte’s Tea Room is open Wednesdays through Sundays from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Reservations are recommended. To reserve your spot and learn more, visit charlottestearoomofwarwick.com or call 845-988-9499.
