The tram ride up to the mansion might have been fun on another day, but this day the rain that blew in the sides of the car magnified the cold and I was just thankful that I didn't have to walk. It wasn't the best day to tour Sonnenberg's gardens, but the dull gray sky, drizzle, and chill in the air was the fitting prerequisite for a hot cup of tea. The Victorian Tea was held inside because of the weather, which was an added surprise. Card tables were covered with flowered cloths, lovely mismatched china settings, and a vase of fresh flowers. A piano player played in the background. The drawing room setting was like "Antiques Roadshow" Heaven.

I was slightly disappointed to see the bowl of Bigelow tea packets, but that feeling was easily forgotten with what followed. As a stuffed silver fox looked on, servers in black dresses and white aprons and caps served pots of hot water, fresh fruit cups, and cranberry-orange scones. A man in tails followed, plopping dollops of freshly whipped cream on our plates. There was a pretty dish of orange marmalade on the table. The serving plates were removed and the finger sandwich course began. Slices of cucumber on pumpernickel bread spread with dill butter. Egg and tuna salads. Seed bread with strawberry. Sweet brown bread with cream cheese and walnuts. Wheat bread with butter and apricot-jalapeno jelly. Raspberry sherbet was then served to cleanse the pallet.

Next, a tray of many desserts. Almond crescents, Hello Dollys, chocolate cake and brownies, lemon bars, peanut butter cookies, and other yummy nosh.

Altogether -- the setting, the treats, the ambiance, the interesting and informative conversation with the three off-duty Sonnenberg volunteers celebrating a birthday at the next table -- made for a completely quaint and filling experience.