Quote: What does one do when one is in Astoria and it’s raining cats and dogs? Well, you go to The Windsor House of Tea, of course! This delightful and serene tea house serves not only tea, in the sophisticated tradition, but also offers the customer a nice choice of lunch items as well.

We stopped by their location on Marine Drive to wait out the rain and ended up having a most delightful respite and bite to eat. We each ordered our own flavor of tea along with some food. I had the delicious Harvest Chicken Salad sandwich and our friends ordered one of their heart-warming soups. You enjoy your tea and meal on a lovely table setting: tablecloth, doilies, china teapots, and real napkins. This is all set in a beautifully muraled Victorian setting. The scene is quiet and relaxed. One shouldn’t hurry through this relaxing experience…just savor and enjoy.

The front of the tea house, near the entrance, offers items for purchase including their teas as well as china, serving pieces and lovely greeting cards with a sample tea bag included in each. I purchased some lovely sterling silver stirring spoons. But remember, the real attraction of this establishment is to enjoy good tea in an atmosphere of polite and quiet sophistication. I noticed a mother with her two daughters and infant child having their own tea party. The girls were quite well behaved and clearly Mom was providing them with an opportunity to practice their public social skills. Another group of woman were departing as we arrived. I couldn’t help but notice that they were all wearing attractive hats and were dressed in long skirts or tailored suits. I inquired with our waitress if they were a regular club that met there. She said that they were.

Don’t miss this slice of civility and make sure that you try their OUT-OF-THIS-WORLD lemon curd on their freshly-baked scones. I can’t think of a better way to pass the time while the rainstorm moves through. You won’t be able to either! But don’t wait for the rainstorm to find an excuse to visit – they are open Tuesdays through Saturdays, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

From journals The Glorious Pacific Northwest Coastline