Weekend Plans

It's going to be a big weekend!  There are two major events going on Downtown.

The Dogwood Festival kicks off Friday morning!  The festival will continue through Sunday afternoon.

This morning we saw people marking off the booth spaces in City Park.

Lots of Downtown businesses are having specials during the Dogwood Festival.  You might want to head to the Downtown Businesses tab to find links to the different websites (There's the book sale at the Library, the book signing at Books on Broadway, extended hours at the Cafe on Broadway, etc.).  There's lots of fun to be had!  Oh, and remember to find the Main Street Siloam Springs, Inc.'s booth at the Dogwood Festival; Farmer's Market stickers can be found there among other things.

And then there's The Royal Wedding.  :-)  Friday morning action is happening at The English Tea Room.  After spending the morning there, I'm sure you'll be feeling rather English.  Keep that feeling going by heading to Pour Jon's for a cup of tea...

...and then head down the street for a British flag notecard at Amandromeda.  Did I mention I'm excited about The Royal Wedding?  :-)

Regardless of which events you choose to attend, it's bound to be a fun-filled weekend!

I'll see you Downtown!

--Karyn

The Royal Wedding

You might be wondering what the Royal Wedding has to do with Main Street Siloam Springs.  I know my husband is probably wondering just how I'm going to connect the two subjects.  Thanks to The English Tea Room located in our very own Downtown, it's really rather easy!

(By the way...  It seems Kate and William have had a bit of rain just like us--yet another connection!)

(Picture courtesy of people.com)

That's right fellow British Royal Family Fans, it seems we're making the news with our local festivities!  Brilliant, simply brilliant!  Here's what The English Tea Room has to say:

40/29 News will be filming live from The English Tea Room all day, starting At 4:30am on Friday 29th of April and will be here most of the day. This is forming part of their coverage of The Royal Wedding, We will Be serving free breakfasts to the first 100 people approximately through the door. Once it's gone it's gone.

Find The English Tea Room on facebook for more info.

And to my husband (if he's still reading), let the record show that I am not the only person obsessed interested in the Royal Wedding.  :-)

Off to make scones and a pot of tea...

I'll see you Downtown!

--Karyn

Weekend Plans

A couple of things to keep in mind when planning for your weekend:

Creative Corner on Broadway is having a class this Saturday.  The class is titled It's that Simple!  Here's the scoop from Julie:

Let Shannon of K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple)Scrapbooks show you just how Simple it can be to create a double page layout that will not only highlight your favorite photos but make those around you think you are ahhmazing!!  Cost: $15.00 Time: 1 - 1 1/2 hours.  You MUST pre-register either by phone (228-1236) or email (julie@creativecorneronbroadway.com). THANKS!!

Julie (the shop owner) makes sure a good and creative time is had by all who attend.  Here's a picture from the Mommy and Me event which took place a few weeks ago.

Photo courtesy of Creative Corner on Broadway's facebook page.

Head to The English Tea Room for a leisurely Sunday lunch.  Reservations are required; remember to call ahead.  The menu posted on the tea room's website (click the link in the Downtown Businesses section on the left) sounds delicious!

Roast Beef
Yorkshire Pudding
Creamed Potatoes
Peas
Carrots 

and Gravy

With local schools in session on Saturday (a snow make-up day), it might be the perfect time to have a lunch date with your someone special!  Check the list of Downtown Businesses on the right hand side of the blog.  You'll find links to websites with more information regarding hours of operation and menus.

I'll see you Downtown!

--Karyn

Happenings at The English Tea Room

The English Tea Room is staying busy this holiday season with a host of events. Here are some ladies from Siloam's Fellowship Bible Church, enjoying The Windsor Tea. It is quite a delightful spread that includes a pot of tea, quiche, finger sandwiches, fruit flan, cheesecake and scones with fruit and clotted cream. Delicious! Gifts were exchanged, and all enjoyed the beauty and tranquility offered by The English Tea Room.


There is also a new Saturday night tradition in the making- Indian Curry Night, Saturdays from 6-10. For $6.95, you get curry, rice and a drink. The Tea Room is also hosting live music each Friday night, beginning at 7:30. For a $5 cover charge, guests can enjoy a dessert and unlimited tea or coffee, plus an evening of live music. Each musical group receives 20% of the night's revenue and they are required to donate that money to the charity of their choice. Last week's donation went to the Sager Creek Church Youth Group, and this weeks' donation will benefit the Nest Club. Please note: this week, the live music night will take place on Thursday, December 10th, not Friday.

The English Tea Room's Grand Opening

Rob and Dawn Cork being toasted by friends.

Merely a week after my first visit, the English Tea Room hosted their grand opening celebration and is now officially open for business. It was a congenial gathering, with many downtown business owners there to show support. Live music was performed by Ron Jeffries, Tim Stone of Lightning Bolt Advertising, and Tim's son, Nathaniel. There was a rousing sherry toast to the Queen Mum, followed by a chorus of "God Save the Queen" (the United Kingdom's national anthem), followed by our own national anthem.

Shelley Simmons of Main Street and Christina Drake of Local Flair Art Gallery
enjoying the music.

The English Tea Room then served a complete and savory meal, consisting of shepherd's pie, roast beef, salmon tea sandwiches, quiche, and bread. There was also horseradish and English mustard served on the side. Rob Cork offered a word of caution regarding the English mustard. He said it was not be used liberally like American mustard, for if one did so, it would "bring you to your knees." Having tried a mere dot of it on my roast beef, I'm inclined to believe he wasn't exaggerating. The meal was topped off with coffee and a lovely cake, depicting an image of the Vintage Square building.


The English Tea Room has added a Three Course English Sunday Lunch to their menu, with starters of prawn cocktail, egg mayonnaise, and soup and a main course of roast beef, Yorkshire Pudding, mashed potatoes, brown gravy, peas and carrots. Dessert choices include strawberries and cream, fruit flan with ice cream, and apple pie a la mode. Patrons can enjoy all of this for just $19.95.

Hope Johnstone of DRC and Harmony Johnstone-Reeser of the Cafe on Broadway
take in the view from the Vintage Square veranda.

I had the pleasure of dining with Carolyn Robinson, owner of the Cafe on Broadway and Harmony Johnstone-Reeser, the cafe's manager. They thoroughly enjoyed the English meal, and are thrilled to have the English Tea Room join them in feeding the downtown's many visitors.

During the open house, I also chatted with Scott and Tasha Jones, owners of the Jolly Rogers Sweet Shoppe (along with Tom Leadabrand). Their latest news is that the shoppe will soon be called Fratelli's Wood Fired Pizzaria, although they'll still serve candy and gelato. Speaking of gelato (and I certainly love to do so), Facebook members are invited to become fans of Fratelli's in order to get flavor updates and breaking news. In case you are curious, this month's featured gelato flavor is Apple Pie.

Cynthia Lee of the Siloam Springs Museum chatting with Carolyn Robinson and
Hamony Johnstone-Reeser of the Cafe on Broadway.

I talked with Cynthia Lee from the Siloam Springs Museum and her husband, John. They mentioned that Pearl Starr, daughter of the notorious outlaw Belle Starr, is rumored to have given birth to one of her children in either the current Vintage Square building (home of The English Tea Room and Picture Me Studio) or the nearby Crown Motel. Just imagine, a building that once birthed an outlaw's grandchild is now giving new life to downtown with international cuisine. (Perhaps I took that analogy too far.)

Welcome to The English Tea Room!

After great anticipation, The English Tea Room at Vintage Square officially opened its doors today. The owners, Rob and Dawn Cork, have been working diligently to restore the lovely turn-of-the-century building. According to the menu, The English Tea Room is " a happy place, specializing in healthy lunches, afternoon teas and devilish desserts." I certainly agree.


My sister and I spent a delightful afternoon sampling some of the authentic English fare. We tried the "egg and mayonnaise" sandwich (a delicious, classic egg salad) on whole grain bread, and thoroughly enjoyed the chocolate cake for dessert. We also really loved the Lady Grey tea with cream and sugar.


There are two menus- one with soup, sandwiches, salads and quiche, and a "special menu" with more traditional tea options, including scones and crumpets. There is even an exclusive room designed especially for guests who partake of the "proper" English tea.

I'm greatly intrigued by the special menu options, which include "Simply Tea" ($3.50 for a pot) and "Buckingham Tea" ($12.95): "A proper pot of tea of your choice served with a slice of one of our homemade quiches, along with two fresh baked English scones served with cream, and your choice of preserves." There is also an amazingly fabulous-sounding option, "The Windsor Tea" ($19.95) which requires a 24 hour advanced reservation. It includes "a proper pot of tea of your choice served with a delicious selection of finger sandwiches, quiche lorraine, four assorted mini pastries and two fresh baked English scones served with a choice of preserves." Wow!


The atmosphere was quite charming and relaxing, and the staff was very helpful and courteous. While they are currently in the midst of a soft opening, there are plans for a more official grand opening in a few weeks.


Because Rob and Dawn are actually from England, there is a sense of authenticity about the place. From Queen Elizabeth's smiling portrait in the lobby, to the use of the word "prawn" in the menu (as opposed to "shrimp"), guests get the impression that they are experiencing tea as it should be. Tea room hours are Monday-Saturday 10-10, and Sunday 12-8. Credit cards are accepted.