Afternoon Tea at the O’Henry Hotel in Greensboro, NC

I had the most delightful experience last week. My dad and his lovely wife were in town for a visit, so I took them to afternoon tea at the O’Henry Hotel in Greensboro, NC.

Exterior of the O'Henry Hotel.

I first fell in love with the ritual of afternoon tea in Scotland. To clarify, when I say ‘tea’ I’m not just talking about the beverage and a cookie. Oh, no no no. A proper full/afternoon tea should include a bottomless pot of hot tea, finger sandwiches, and other small savory bites, a variety of little sweet treats, and of course, savory and/or plain scones with clotted cream and jam or curd. In the U.K., afternoon tea is enjoyed post-lunch but pre-dinner. Personally, I prefer just to make it my lunch.

Ever since that first Scottish tea, I have been on the lookout for a similar experience here at home. To be honest, I haven’t really found it. Until the O’Henry. Wow! Everything about it hit the mark, from the beautiful and sophisticated setting to the gorgeous mix-and-match china, to the delicious and thoughtfully prepared tiered tray of food. I felt as if I were at Greywalls Hotel or Prestonfield House or any other fine establishment in Scotland.

See for yourself!

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Oh Yes I Did! Haggis and Scottish Gourmet USA

I  bought a haggis!

My plaid heart is so happy right now.

Haggis.

Before you say “eww,” what I bought isn’t authentic haggis. You can’t get it in the U.S. because the FDA has strict rules about consuming lungs (gross, you say?). What I purchased is made with lamb breast and beef liver. And of course, the traditional oatmeal, onion, and spices that make haggis such a distinctive Scottish food. In the old days, haggis was encased in the lining of a sheep’s stomach (also a little gross, I admit). That has been modernized, with most haggis today presented in either an artificial casing or a casing similar to sausage. Regardless, I’m pretty excited. And just for the record, if given the opportunity – yes, I would try haggis made the traditional way.

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