  For those of you who live in the area of Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Guthrie…well…all over the state of Oklahoma, or who live in Kansas or Arkansas or Texas and come to the Oklahoma City area every so often, I have discovered a diamond in the rough in our little town of Shawnee, Oklahoma that is worth your attention. Oh my goodness. It’s the Grangeville Rose Tea Room and Emporium and if you can get a day to pamper yourself, this is the place to do it. I met the owner of this wonderful and elegant tea room, Cynthia, at the Central Oklahoma Lavender and Herb Festival as a fellow exhibitor. We chatted and shared products and she invited me and a friend of mine to come try out the tea room. Finally, on Monday, we had the opportunity to take advantage of the invitation. The Grangeville Rose is located at 322 West MacArthur Blvd in Shawnee, Oklahoma. It is just east on MacArthur from Kickapoo and is on the north side of the road. It is kind of easy to miss because it sits back off of the road in a little strip mall and is the very first building of the mall. The large, plate glass front window is black with white lettering and you have to be looking for it. In fact, when you first see the outside, you might wonder exactly what is behind that window! But when you open the door, you are carried into a world away from your mundane life!  A step through the front door, brings you into a little alcove that has been created to reflect the outside of an old home, complete with lovely sea green siding and wooden sashed window. Looking through the window, into the home, one sees a gorgeous, cut glass lamp framed by unusually, tailored curtains. To the left is the “front door” to the home where you enter into the tastefully decorated and luxurious dining room of an old, home – a Jane Austen home. Lights are low, soft music dances in the background and beautifully draped and decorated round tables, surrounded by high-backed chairs, are centered with floral lamps offering a gentle light for the guests. The menu reflects all things Jane Austen, including the Bingley’s Jane Austen Tea Series.  What a surprise we got when we were served on Royal Albert Old Rose china. Absolutely beautiful. And the flatware was Wallace silver plate. What a gorgeous table was set!!  I chose the Summer Trio for my lunch and was treated to three awesome salads – an unusual chicken salad made with grilled chicken. fruit and what tasted like maybe, sour cream, a pasta salad with the most amazing basil dressing with paper thin slices of fresh parmesan cheese, and a green salad with chef Brian’s personally created raspberry vinaigrette dressing. Brian is Cynthia’s nephew and smartly dressed in his French chef’s coat, he creates concoctions that are just to die for. Dessert was a treat of two lavender scones – yep, lavender – with apricot jam and I am here to tell you, I’ve never had a scone lighter or more delicate than these amazing morsels!! Everything was accompanied by a light, hot tea kept warm over a flaming trivet. Peach iced tea and hand-squeezed strawberry lemonaide are also available.  A china cabinet full of delicate pieces, elegantly framed pictures, a fireplace and buffet topped with silver coffee service only adds to the Victorian ambiance of this “Longbourn” place. (you’ll have to read Pride and Prejudice)  Gifts of Spode china, Moss Rose and other vintage items grace the shelves of the Emporium, along with hats straight out of Sense and Sensibility. And as of today, an antique wash stand, with bowl and pitcher, presents our own Prairie Blessings Soaps for sale! Unbelievably reasonable prices, extraordinary food, a ‘high tea’ party once a month and the perfect place for a bridesmaids’ luncheon, birthday party or business lunch makes the Grangeville Rose Tea Room and Emporium a place that is worth whatever travel is required to get there! Beginning July 23rd through July 27th, the tea room will be celebrating Christmas in July, complete with decorations, gifts and special foods. “A winter Holiday respite during the hot days of summer.” For tea room hours and reservations, call 405-273-6464.  And to make somebody’s day really, really special, I have purchased a gift certificate for an enjoyable lunch in quiet splendor. Just leave a comment below and you will be entered into a drawing for this gift certificate. Please do not enter if there is no chance that you can make it to Shawnee for this treat. We want someone to be able to truly enjoy this gift. The drawing will be held on August 1st.  |
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Tags: Grangeville Rose Tea, Grangeville Rose Tea Room and Emporium, high tea, OK, Oklahoma attractions, Oklahoma tea rooms, Shawnee
You are the most generous person!
dagnabit!! once again, not in oklahoma! but, my sister lives in edmond and she would love this…if i win, she will get it for her birthday! thank you so much for doing this! (i know, too many !!, but it is exciting!)
You are entered, Marsha!!
Thanks for entering, Frankie. Your sister will love you if you win. 🙂
Lovely story and beautiful pictures. Hope the owner gets lots of business from your post.
Please enter me in your contest and pass me a turkey sandwich since it is not polite to reach. And while you’re at it, please pass the scones, and a tall cool glass of decaf iced tea, and a bit of chocolate if there is any left, and…do I really have to cook supper after eating all of this…and is it okay to ask for a doggy bag even if dog’s aren’t supposed to eat chocolate…am I talking too much and should I be using my inside voice…and if I have to leave the table to go to the bathroom, what am I supposed to do with my cloth napkin…this is all so refined for the woman from Okrahoma because I never took french in high school because the victorians were french, right?
I know you will answer my questions before I go visit the tea room. I’m sure you can make a lady out of me Professor Higgins.
Too much cough syrup? Imbibing on vanilla? Or is it a couple of Red Bulls? If you win, I’m sure you’ll figure it allllll out!! 🙂 You are entered.
I have wanted to make a visit to the tearoom. It would make a lovely outing with the girls. Please enter me in the drawing!
That it would, Julie! When we were there, a grandmother had her two young granddaughters and was teaching them manners at a tea. It was precious. 🙂
I would love to visit this tearoom! It looks and sounds totally awesome!!!
Pick me! Pick me! Pick me!
Well, you are entered, Janis. We shall see. We shall see!!!
HI Mary Beth!
Oh, how Chuck and I LOVE Tea Rooms! Yes, he is very patient and totally secure in his manhood to be able to enjoy things like this with me! Love the one in Edmond, OK and this one looks positively gorgeous as well…menu and all!
Thanks so much for telling us about it and please enter our names into your lovely drawing!
Love to you!
Jenny and Chuck
For sure, Jenny. We saw men there having a good time when we went so men can enter too!!
I’d love to try this place out! My husband and I enjoy finding new locally owned restaurants!
I would love to visit your tea room. Sounds lovely. Please enter my name into your drawing. Thank you,
Will do, Lesa.
My wife has taken me to many a bed & breakfast and tearooms. I always find the food and of course the tea the best. She has been surprising me for 45 years, maybe I can turn the table. Thanks.
Well, aren’t you the special kind of hubby!! Good for you!! No wonder she’s kept you for 45 years. You are a gem. 🙂
I’m thinking of you this morning as I will be making peach preserves today. Will probably be searching your blog for some special tips. Wish me luck–with the preserves and in the contest. We hope things are going well for you post tornado.
Well, hi Janice!! Yummy on the peach preserves. Everything great here. Just had a new adjuster out today to look at the damage and give a new estimate. They kinda flubbed the first one. So, hopefully we will be starting on the “fixing” in a week or two. Thanks for entering!! Good luck. 🙂