Tea Time

I don't really miss afternoon tea now I'm living in the U.S, but when someone told me about an 'English' tea shop in Naperville, I couldn't resist the temptation to pay a visit. It's situated in a strip mall in an area called English Rows (geddit?) on the southern most tip of the city. It was very pleasant, but so 'Napervilized' we may have stopped for tea in the twilight zone.
Firstly, it was so beautifully decorated and twee I wasn't sure if the dainty chairs and sofas were for sitting on or for sale. There was a little fireplace and shiny hardwood floors. I half expected Goldilocks to appear asking "who's been drinking my tea?' The walls were Pottery Barned with shades of chocolate and coffee, the nearest you can probably get to tea over here. The light fittings were obviously very American, and antique like accessories decorated every spanking new surface.
In an attempt to add some real English class, a tape played classical ballet music.
There wasn't really a menu, but you could pre-book afternoon tea for $18 a head. We went for a pot of tea for two. The tea came in a hand filled bag nestled in a white china tea pot. Alongside it was what the owner called a 'caddy'. A caddy is really a tin to keep fresh tea in. This was a teapot shaped dish to put the bag in.
We had a good variety of teas to choose from, so went with English Breakfast, which I think is the best for a nice strong cuppa. Of course we had to ask for milk because Americans usually drink tea black if they drink it at all. Didn't bother to ask for the separate hot water jug for fear of seeming too picky.
Forgo the scone because it looked too American, but enjoyed a very sweet sugar cookie, which alas bore no resemblance to an English biscuit.
We could have bought any of the antique tea cups or pots on display, but noted ironically the crockery the shop used was just like we had at home. Unfortunately not shipped from England, but bought in Crate and Barrel.
The owner had plenty of time to talk to us because the place was deserted. Apparently it has been open for four years and the bulk of their business comes from parties and showers. There isn't a huge call for people desperate for a cuppa in these parts obviously.
As we sipped our tea and looked out of the window, I'm not sure what seemed more odd. That we were looking out over a piece of Illinois prairie land, or that the shop was the cleanest and sparkiest place I had ever stopped for tea in my life.