ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, May 29, 1996 TAG: 9605290054
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: ALMENA HUGHES STAFF WRITER
MEMO: ***CORRECTION***
Published correction ran on May 30, 1996.
Rhonda and Nicholas Urquhart's last name was mispelled in a photo
caption in Wednesday's Extra section on a story about tea time.
LONG AGO - in the mid-1800s - Anna, seventh Duchess of Bedford, England, would have a plate of cakes sneaked in with her afternoon tea to help stave off the "sinking feeling" she experienced halfway between her noontime lunch and 8 p.m. dinner.
Eventually, the legend goes, she began inviting friends to join her, says Lynne Harrison, a former tea room owner who lives in Blacksburg.
Satisfying Anna's "sinking feeling" eventually evolved into a ritual, and its popularity appears to be rising again. Afternoon teas, with their fine linens, fancy china, silver service and foofaraw finger foods, are being offered at both the Patrick Henry Hotel and the Hotel Roanoke. Neither is putting much effort into promoting the gatherings, but steady attendance shows word is getting around.
Patrick Henry sales manager Arlene Powers said the hotel started holding teas again about the time of its 1991 renovation. She knows for certain teas have been offered for the past three years, while she's been working at the hotel.
"We had a lot of tour groups calling and asking about teas since this is often a historic landmark stopover," she explained.
The Hotel Roanoke began holding teas about Christmas 1995. It seemed like an opportune time for the public to visit the recently reopened hotel, see its holiday decorations and partake of an afternoon tea, said Craig Biggins, assistant food and beverage director.
"The Homestead and the Greenbrier were doing them. We thought it was something that the community would appreciate," he said.
The 50 or 60 people who turned out prompted the Hotel Roanoke to continue holding teas every Friday. Graduations and holidays swell the figures, but a turnout of 20 to 30 people on an average day is not uncommon, Biggins said.
"Mostly more mature ladies" comprise about 95 percent of the people who turn out for the event. "They come to socialize and relax. I doubt that there's a lot of business being conducted," Biggins said with a laugh.
Years ago, elegant teas and tea dances dotted the schedules at the Patrick Henry and Hotel Roanoke. Their current staffs weren't around during those heydays, but they get calls from people who were. Whenever possible, the hotels try to re-create some of the glamour and ambience of a bygone era.
The Hotel Roanoke has brought back its tea dances in response to the public's requests, Biggins said. The first, at the beginning of the year, drew about 425 people. The second, featuring the legendary big-band Freddie Lee & Orchestra, was Sunday. Another is planned for August.
The events feature music and a buffet of fruit punch, tea, coffee, ham biscuits and other finger foods.
"The people remember dancing in the old ballroom and they come out for that," Biggins said of the gatherings held in the Regency Room.
Is the reality as grand as people imagine or remember?
During recent afternoon teas at the Patrick Henry a solicitous attendant, in black-and-white uniform, poured tea and coffee, served plates with sandwiches, petits fours and chocolate-dipped fruits, and then disappeared into the background, reappearing as if by magic just as a cup or plate was emptied.
Recorded classical music wafted softly behind muted conversations and flatware clinked against china. At the Hotel Roanoke, a black-and-white-attired attendant poured beverages, offered condiments from a rolling cart and invited guests to help themselves from a beautifully appointed table bearing finger sandwiches, chocolate-dipped fruits, tiny cheesecakes, Linzer tortes and scones. A pianist in tuxedo played softly on a baby grand.
If there was any shortcoming with either presentation, it would be that the teas, alas, were not freshly brewed but bagged. Not as elegant as one might like, but more accommodating in the long run, Biggins said.
The Patrick Henry's teas, arranged upon request, are held in the lobby's sitting area near the front counter. The $6.95 per person charge includes gratuities and a menu that can be customized to customers' preference. At least a week's notice is preferred, especially for large parties.
Hotel Roanoke's teas are each Friday from 3-5 p.m. in the Palm Court just outside of the Pine Room. Tea or coffee service costs $2.50. Unlimited "trimmings" of confections, pastries and sandwiches cost an additional $4. Champagne costs $2.95. To help the hotel plan sufficient staffing, reservations are recommended.
Call the Patrick Henry at 345-8811; call the Hotel Roanoke at 985-5900.
LENGTH: Medium: 92 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: ARNE KUHLMANN/Staff. 1. Megan Flynn (above, from left),by CNBNatalie Ellmann, Sean Flynn and Maria Occhiuzzi take a break one
afternoon, while Rhonda and Nicholas Urquart and Megan Flynn (right)
try to make their selections from Hotel Roanoke's petits fours tray.
2. Taking afternoon tea at Hotel Roanoke are (from left) Dolores
Skelly, Dorothy Walden, Betty Turner and Eithne Martin. color.