The Dunbar Tea Shop

WENDY AND TOM DINE OUT

In the 1920's Colonel Henry Dunbar bought a house in Sandwich so that he could be close to his supervision of the widening of the Cape Cod Canal. During these years Mrs. Dunbar established the tradition of hosting teas. After the house changed hands twice more in the next 80 years, it was sold in 2000. The new owners have embarked on a project to restore the home to its colonial splendor. Although the owners live in the house, they keep three rooms as a bed and breakfast establishment. They have kept with the Dunbar tradition by continuing to serve tea in what was once the wood paneled gentlemen's billiard and smoking room that is adjacent to the house. Lunch and tea can also be enjoyed in the relaxed setting of the Tea Garden. In summer and autumn the restaurant serves English style Breakfast. In front of the Tea Room is a gift shop that sells teapots from around the world, imported teas, tea cozies, clotted cream and British jams, chutneys, tea accessories, chintzware and much more. We ate in the cozy bricked garden area with its lovely hanging plants. The high back chairs were green plastic and the table was covered with a flowered oilcloth tablecloth. The daily specials were posted on a chalk board.

A partial menu listing:

RESTAURANT:

THE DUNBAR TEA SHOP AND TEA ROOM

1 Water Street Street (Route 130), Sandwich (Cape Cod), MA

DATE:

August 24, 2000

MEAL:

Lunch

BREAD:

SALAD:

APPETIZER:

ENTREE:

Smoked Scottish Salmon Platter ($10.95) Excellent - Served with toasted baguette slices, capers, red onion, cucumber, and herbed cream cheese on a large bed of lettuce. Honey Dijon salad dressing was on every table.

Chicken, Leek, and Parsley Pie (special of the day - $8.95) Excellent. A difficult dish to describe! Somewhat like a quiche with a double crust but not like a pot pie because there was no sauce.

DESSERT:

Trifle ($4.00) Excellent. A traditional raspberry trifle with biscuits soaked in orange juice and sherry and then topped with custard and raspberry sauce and whipped cream.

Double Chocolate Pecan Pie ($5.95) Excellent. A wonderful pie served hot and filled with the usual filling to which large chunks of partially melted had been added.

OTHER:

Charming decor

A small amount of parking is available

Informed wait staff

Iced tea glasses were refilled by the attentive wait staff without their having to be asked.

Both the garden and the inside restaurant are small

OVERALL:

A

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RESTAURANT:	THE DUNBAR TEA SHOP AND TEA ROOM
	1 Water Street Street (Route 130), Sandwich (Cape Cod), MA
DATE:	August 24, 2000
MEAL:	Lunch
BREAD:

SALAD:
APPETIZER:

ENTREE:	Smoked Scottish Salmon Platter ($10.95) Excellent - Served with toasted baguette slices, capers, red onion, cucumber, and herbed cream cheese on a large bed of lettuce. Honey Dijon salad dressing was on every table.
	Chicken, Leek, and Parsley Pie (special of the day - $8.95) Excellent. A difficult dish to describe! Somewhat like a quiche with a double crust but not like a pot pie because there was no sauce.
DESSERT:	Trifle ($4.00) Excellent. A traditional raspberry trifle with biscuits soaked in orange juice and sherry and then topped with custard and raspberry sauce and whipped cream.
	Double Chocolate Pecan Pie ($5.95) Excellent. A wonderful pie served hot and filled with the usual filling to which large chunks of partially melted had been added.
OTHER:	Charming decor
	A small amount of parking is available
	Informed wait staff
	Iced tea glasses were refilled by the attentive wait staff without their having to be asked.
	Both the garden and the inside restaurant are small
OVERALL:	A