My family is full of loyal tea drinkers.  Many of us drink several cups a day and one of our favorite outings is going for tea.  We often go out for tea down the Cape when we’re visiting, and luckily we’ve found a fantastic gem of a tea room closer to us, The Basically British Tea Room, in Warren, RI.  This past Sunday I spent a relaxing and mellow afternoon with my Mom and two sisters at this very place.  My sister and I discovered Basically British last year when she treated me to tea on my birthday.  We’ve since celebrated her birthday there as well, and have kidnapped several of our family members several times to show them how wonderful it is.

The tea room is located in what was the boiler room of an old mill, and much of the old history is still shown in it’s vaulted ceilings and exposed brick.  I can tell you that the small glassed-in room is a wonderful place to hold a small party, and the couch and chairs next to the Vermont cast iron fireplace is the place during the cold and wet New England winter.  The owner, Fab Goldberg (who is from England – a good sign of good tea room experience!) is also a collector of antiques and decorated the restaurant with much richness and character.  This level of thought and care also went into the planning the menu, with a nice range of sandwiches, soups, and entrees that I think are the perfect balance of “tea room fare” as well as wonderful, homemade food that you wish was served at most restaurants.  I can tell you that the weekend brunch is fabulous, with an amazing french toast, and every soup I’ve tried has been nothing but perfect.  Of course, the scones and desserts are so impeccably baked that in our family you have to share.  They also serve dinner with live jazz music on Fridays, which is something I’ll have to plan for this summer.

Besides having amazing food, there is much to look at around the space: lots of tea and British themed gifts, interesting art and homegoods, as well as a large open side room full of antiques.  And lastly, the one thing we notice every single time that we come is how friendly all of the staff are.  The service is exceptional and makes you feel as if you’re eating at a close friend’s home, and the owner always comes out and checks in on you to make sure you’re enjoying yourself.  We always love visiting and it’s nice to come back and have the staff remember you and also be glad that you returned.

If you are anywhere in the New England area, definitely do yourself a favor by visiting the Basically British Tea Room.  You will not be disappointed!

The Basically British Tea Room
16 Cutler Street, Warren, RI 02885
401.425.0072

{to view more of my outings & experiences photos, please visit my Flickr}