by Elizabeth Coady

The house at 2007 Grace Lane in Flourtown sits back from the street, obscuring the small sign on the door that announces you’ve arrived at Queen’s Teapot, Annie Brown’s secret garden of delectable delights.

Brown, 69, has always enjoyed tea and visiting tea rooms. So last fall, while celebrating her birthday with her daughter-in-law at a Philadelphia area tea house, she pined aloud how she would love to have a tea room to call her own.

Her daughter-in-law responded, ‘’If  anyone can do this, you can.’’

That was Oct. 11. Three months to the day, Brown had completed transforming a dining room into a parlor decorated in greens and pinks and florals. And on March 10, she opened the doors to “Queen’s Teapot,” a cozy escape where ladies (and men) who lunch can enjoy tea and sandwiches and dessert far from the maddening crowd.

“Everything fell in perfect order, and I just knew that it was something I should do,’’ said Brown. “Everything was effortless. I wanted something in the community for women to kind of get away from the hustle and bustle.”

Named in honor of her late mother, whose first name was Queen, Queen’s Teapot seats up to 18 at a time. The $25 fixed price menu includes chicken salad, shrimp puff, salmon, egg salad, herb cheese, crackers, cucumber and  tomato with basil. The selection of teas includes Earl Grey, Queen Anne, almond nut, fruity blend, mint julep, ginger peach and vanilla chai. Desserts include honey orange cake, cranberry scones, lemon curd and fruit served with Devonshire cream.

The Flourtown resident makes all of these goodies, and they are scrumptious! (Photo by Annie Brown)

“Where do you get your Devonshire?’’ one customer asked Brown aloud on a recent Thursday afternoon.

“Oh, I made it,’’ Brown responded. “It’s all homemade.’’

“You notice we haven’t licked the bowl yet,’’ the diner cracked to her companion.  “We have to cast lots for that,’’  the friend responded.

Thus far, the reception to the tea room has been “fantastic,’’ says Brown, who’s had to revamp an adjacent living room to accompany larger parties.

Inside the main tea room the walls are painted a soothing green called “Fresh Dew.” Tables are set with floral china and lace tablecloths. A collection of teapots adorns shelves on one wall. In the background play the vocals of African-American jazz legends such as Ella Fitzgerald or classical music.

The tea parlor has attracted a diverse collection of young and old. Many return and bring friends. “Everyone loves it,’’ Brown said. “I have to say the ladies are so impressed. I put a lot of love and effort in these dishes. It’s the personal touch.’’

“It’s peaceful, and that’s the way it should be in my estimation of a tearoom. It’s about stepping back and exhaling.’’

Queen’s Teapot is open Thursdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Reservations are required. For more information, call 215-836-1438.