Inspirations Tea Room

No, this isn't a blog on tea rooms, but Inspirations in Edmond, OK must be shared. People, it is without a doubt, the BEST tea room I have ever dined in. Inspirations is attached to Two Hearts Inn, a charming B&B. The minute you enter Inspirations Tea Room, you feel welcomed and settle into the warm atmosphere. With a large space, Inspirations offers different rooms that can accomodate events, special occasions and makes the perfect setting for a shower. I was seated in the Main Tea Room (have sat in the Sunroom and Twenttea in the past) at a small two-seater table. I asked to switch to a table in the corner since their was a glaring light coming from the window, and the waitress was quick to accomodate me. The rooms and tables are always spotless when I visit, and this day was no exception. I placed my linen napkin in my lap and ordered the hot Chocolate Mint tea. As I looked over the menu, the waitress brought the standard heart-shaped scone with lemon curd in a tiny ceramic cup. Oh, I couldn't wait to bite into this mixed berry scone...delicious! However, I waited until my tea pot arrived (allow five minutes of brewing time), and my sweet waitress filled the black toile patterned cup with aromatic tea. I felt like a lady, a Queen being pampered! I placed my order for the Trio which consists of an entre, salad or soup, dessert and tea all for a mere $13.95...and quite possible better than any restaurant you could dine for lunch. It wasn't long before my plate was placed before me. I had finished my delectable scone and ready to dive right in. I placed the piping hot Tortilla Soup to the side for cooling. Each plate is decorated with a flower and a scripture to read and hopefully ponder...mine read,

"Whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, is excellent or praisworthy, think about these things." Philippians 4:8

I placed to the side along with my flower. I drizzled the raspberry dressing on my Cherry Pear Spinach Salad. Mmmm...tart cherries, spinach leaves, feta cheese, toasted pecans, pears. I also had a sliced canteloupe to munch on as well as cubed cheeses and cherry tomatoes on the side. After polishing off the salad, I retrieved my soup and was pleased to see this small bowl was filled with shredded chicken, corn, tomatoes, and I had tortilla chips to dip in this cheesy delight. Talk about comfort food...this was it! Now, with all that food, you would think I couldn't possibly have room for dessert. You thought wrong! I ordered the Mixed Fruit Pie which came out warm and piped with little starbursts of whipped cream along the crust. The crust was flaky and delish. The fruit mixed with a nice sauce dazzled my taste buds. I kept re-filling my cup with Chocolate Mint Tea until the teapot was almost empty. When finished dining, you can walk around their gift area which sells teapots, teas, jewelry and small gifts. I left feeling more than satisfied, as I always do when visiting this delightful tea room. Inspirations Tea Room is quite simply perfection, and I adore this place! I encourage you to browse their website.

www.inpirationstearoom.com

Thunder Prairie Baking Company

I was excited to visit Thunder Prairie Baking Company after reading about it online. As a matter of fact, it was my one bakery I had actually noted in my planner to visit when in OKC. European style? I'm there! So, this morning I made my way to Midtown in OKC to the Plaza Court Building off of 10th Street on Classen. Another brick warehouse building housing several different places, I drove up to the front of Thunder Prairie. I could hardly wait to see for myself if this bakery was indeed what their website described. I stepped into the cafe and smiled as I recognized the antique brass floor lamps from the online pictures. The wooden bakery cases told you that you were in for a real "treat" for sure. One case displayed cookies, brownies, pastries of different sorts. The other display revealed a large Red Velvet Cake and jumbo Red Velvet Cake Balls which made me ask myself if it really was too early in the morning to enjoy a slice of cake. I had to remind myself that my intent was to try the Chocolate Croissant, so I stuck with my original plan and tacked on a Chocolate Chip Cookie to my order as well as a Mocha. I took my plate of goodies and sat at the nearest table that offered me the best view of this cafe. I wanted to take it all in. Old music played softly overhead which I love for a cafe. I got up to retrieve my coffee and was impressed with the cinnamon swirl on top...nice touch! While the cafe felt new and clean, Thunder Prairie stayed true to the old cafe feel. I watched as a customer walked in and grabbed a fresh baguette from the basket which was setting between the counters on a display. Other breads were displayed in baskets behind the counter with labels tempting you to buy each one. How can one pass up fresh breads? Above the counter were three chalkboard menues...Breakfast, Sandwiches, Salads. I studied them and thought, what a wonderful place to stop in for lunch. But, it was morning, and I had a croissant in front of me waiting to be tasted. The crust was flaky and had a nice powdered sugar coat, the center oozed with chocolate? Now, I believe I know where the best croissants are (a Texas spot I'll soon share), so no other croissant can measure up. However, TPBC's spin on the flaky pastry was satisfying. I sipped my mocha and found it to be average. Certainly not a place I would visit just for the lattes. The cookie was fresh, soft full of chocolate chips - yummy! The feel of the place and the menu boards would certainly get me to visit again. And, the fact that everything is made fresh daily is reason enough to frequent this artisan bakery. Also, handmade signs were posted at the door that gave specials to those in the Legal profession would receive 30% off their order on Tuesdays and Wednesdays were "Scrub Day" (those in the medical profession, in case you missed that one). Now that's community, and I give a thumbs up to TPBC for this! Also, if you're not like me and don't carry a book with you, there are newspapers, magazines and books available by the front door. I'm glad I discovered Thunder Prairie Baking Company, and I look forward to having lunch there on my next OKC visit.

http://www.prairiethunderbaking.com/