Afternoon tea
Take a friend to the BonBonerie for scones, drinks and conversation
GINA DAUGHERTY | CIN WEEKLY
The tea room at the BonBonerie is one of my favorite places in Cincinnati.
Tucked away from the O'Bryonville Business District on a one-way street, it's cozy and cute, filled with delicate tea cups, delicious cakes and brightly colored walls that offset its mismatched wood furniture. Even when it's cold outside, the tea room seems warm.
A FRENCH AFFAIR
While the tea room serves lunch Monday through Saturday, offering an assortment of specialties, salads and sandwiches, it also offers a traditional afternoon tea.
Afternoon tea is more of a light meal than just a pot of fermented leaves and water, although that is included. Traditionally a women's affair, afternoon tea usually includes finger sandwiches, small pastries and scones with clotted cream and preserves.
It so happens that afternoon tea ($13.50 per person) has a French theme through the end of February. So for me, half of the things served were unpronounceable. Not to worry - my friend Jen came along, and after spending a year in France on foreign study, she revels in showing off her foreign language skills.
"It's a croque monsieur," she says, switching into French accent. "It's like a ham and cheese sandwich."
Whatever you call it, the tiny sandwich was delicious.
EAT, DRINK AND BE FULL
The assortment of fruit (grapes, kiwi, orange slices and strawberries), scones, desserts and sandwiches that make up afternoon tea are served on a three-tier plate stand, all neatly arranged and beautifully decorated. The petit four was so perfect I was hesitant to disturb the smooth icing and delicate flower on top, but for all the time it took to make, it went fast.
One of my favorites was the asparagus quiche, which was served warm and had a thick flaky crust. Jen was particularly fond of the scones, served with preserves and clotted cream (a mixture of sour cream and whipping cream).
The three tiers were more than we could eat, so we took home some of the best desserts: the eclair, brownie and cookie.
Each person receives an endless pot of tea with afternoon tea, and with over 40 choices on the tea menu, choosing one is no easy task.
Our server was very helpful, recommending some of her favorites and explaining the afternoon tea process for us.
I opted for the Berry Jamboree tea, a mixture of blackberries, strawberries and raspberries blended with hibiscus for a citrus and berry flavor. Normally I drink straight Earl Grey, but I really enjoyed the fruit-flavored tea.
Jen tried the popular English Breakfast and drank about two pots of it.
CALL AHEAD
Because the afternoon tea at the BonBonerie requires more preparation than the usual lunch sandwich, the tea room requires a reservation at least 24 hours in advance. You'll need to leave a credit card number to reserve the table, but you won't be charged unless you don't cancel your reservation in advance.
And I'd recommend taking a good friend with you - that way you'll have plenty to chat about over your tea and scones.
