So, technically this isn’t a bakery, but I’m counting it as one of my “Save the Bakeries” places that you totally need to check out if you are ever in the Port Orchard, Washington area.
We stopped by The Grey House Café in Port Orchard, Washington yesterday for their tea service. The cafe serves breakfast and lunch and when we arrived at 11 am for our reservation there were just a few people there. By the time we left, the place was nearly packed.
While we were waiting to be seated I checked out the loo, and it was simple and elegant.
The owner of the cafe, Debbie Macomber is a #1 New York Times bestselling author with over 200 million books sold! {Wowza!} She started out as a patron of the shop {back when it was just a gift store} and then purchased the store in 2004. And if you are thinking this is in a posh area and with all sorts of fancy smancy shops around, you’d be wrong. There is actually a dollar store, bowling alley and a thrift store either across the street or down the road. And honestly, I wasn’t expecting too much when I called to make a reservation for 2 for tea. Mainly because of their price point of $16 for afternoon tea service. But, the reviews online were good so I went for it.
The Girl and I have been to a lot of tea places and the going rate almost always starts around $25 {and can go up to $50 in places like London, England}. I’ve been to two tea services this year, one really good one {$26} and one not so good {$23}.
When our waitress came over I asked her if the tea service included one type of tea or if we could try a few different ones. She said we could try as many teas as we wanted and it was included in the tea service {we chose 4}. Watermelon Hibiscus, Lucky Irish Breakfast, Ms. Patmore’s Pudding Tea and a Vanilla Almond tea.
And then the food came.
I was shocked!
Cucumber sandwiches, Havarti finger sandwiches on blueberry bread {sounds strange but it was delicious}, curry chicken salad on mini rolls and roasted turkey & cranberry cream cheese wraps.
Seriously! All this for $16!
The scones were crazy good, and the homemade strawberry butter was amazing. And those mini fruit cups with whip cream, seriously, it just goes to show you that 2 strawberries sliced correctly and 10 blueberries with a little whip on top makes for a wonderful presentation.
The portion sizes were just right. A wee taste of everything. We went away totally stuffed. It was a good kind of I really feel like I got a great value out of this dinning experience kind of meal.
I don’t think I could give more of a glowing recommendation if I tried. Everything at the The Grey House Cafe in Port Orchard, Washington was spot on. Friendly staff, great atmosphere, delicious food, and the price. $16 for afternoon tea service? You just can’t beat it.
If you are ever in the Port Orchard area, please stop by. You’ll be glad you did.
~Mavis
FarmGirl says
Debbie Macomber is my favorite author. Her books are wonderful. She has several series of books and some Christian non-fiction. Every year she chooses a word to focus on kind of like you and your yearly goals. Her Christmas books are my favorites!
I am glad you and the girl enjoyed it so much. I would really like to visit it.
Mavis Butterfield says
I have never read one of her books. Now I’m going to have to read one. 🙂
Pauletta says
This place looks amazing. I’ll have to brew myself a pot of tea while waiting for hurricane Irma to blow through my back yard. I also love Debbie Macombers’ books.
Mavis Butterfield says
Stay safe Pauletta!
Laura says
That is so cool! I had no idea that she lived in the PNW. I have a few of her books (always available at our school book sale fundraiser), but haven’t read any. Guess I need to now!
I think I will take my mom and daughter to this place for tea. It looks lovely and definitely affordable. Thank you so much for the recommendation!
AJ says
This is making me hungry! I would totally go here if we lived in the PNW. But since we don’t, maybe I’ll have to make some similar food, because this looks delicious 🙂
Martine says
THis is one of those strange coincidences in life! I’ve just finished reading Debbie Macombers Rose Harbor series of books and absolutely loved them and I’ve now moved onto her Cedar Cove books which are based on her home town of Port Orchard. I live in the UK and I’d love to visit Port Orchard now, her description of the town sounds wonderful and although I know she will use a certain amount of ‘artistic licence’ I’m pretty certain its mainly based in reality. Her books are as cheesy as can be and just what you need when you want to relax and enjoy some lightweight entertainment you don’t need to think too hard about. I’m loving working my way through the series and although until now I’ve bought them all second hand, I’ve just discovered my local library here in Scotland stock them too so I won’t need to spend any money to escape to your lovely part of the world. That tea looks absolutely stunning and if I ever manage to make it your neck of the woods, I’ll be sure to visit this tearoom. Thanks for the recommendation. 😀
Tracey says
I just finished those 2 series too as “easy ready”. The tea service looks stunning! How cool that she owns the shop!
Stacy Hart says
I am from & still currently live in Port Orchard, Wa. (Aka Cedar Cove)! I love our little town! We have great people & an even better community. My daughter had her 9th birthday party at The Grey House (formally called Victorian Tea House) & what a great time we all had! Wonderful service and great food! Debbie Macomber’s office is directly across from the parking lot from The Grey House. If you are able to visit this great place please do!!
Lauralli says
I have no tea service anywhere near me–except that which I fix myself! Sigh! But, I’ve got no hurricanes nor forest fires near me so…perspective! 🙂 Thanks for sharing about your experience! Now, tell us which teas you liked the most!
Mavis Butterfield says
We both liked Ms. Patmore’s tea as a holiday type tea. My daughter’s favorite was the watermelon hibiscus and mine was the lucky Irish tea. We both thought the vanilla almond one was just so so. We liked the smell though. 😉
Jennifer says
There was also a series on the Hallmark Channel called Cedar Cove based on the books. Anytime something new comes out by her, I get on the list at the library.
Ju says
I have never left a comment before, but I must as I live just outside of Port Orchard. I have gone to the Grey House when it was pink and every time it is always spot on. I think my 11 year old daughter and I will be having a date there very soon.
Ju says
Sorry to add more: I had the pleasure of chatting with Debbie a few times at her yarn shop across the parking lot from the Grey House before it closed. She is just as charming and witty and nice as you would think she would be. I very very rarely buy books but I will buy hers as she has given so much to our community.
Teresa says
Debbie Macomber books are light and easy reading. Good stories and no blood filled murders! I love getting them from the library. I would be happy to support her establishment if I am ever in Port Orchard. Just a cool name anyway. Port Orchard. 🙂
Deborah from Texas says
I love Debbie’s books. She and I share the same birthday month. I have several of them. I also have an identical tea pot as the ones show at the tea room. I have been to Annie’s Attic tea room in Big Sandy, Texas. It was awesome. It is no longer open. : ( I had a luncheon there. The first time I ever had to eat a sandwich with a fork. LOL
Laura says
My sister and I visited Port Orchard last year. I wish I had known the tea house was there. We’ll have to go back the next time I visit in Seattle. We did just go to tea at Abkazi Gardens in Victoria BC. If you have the chance to go, I recommend it and then walk through the gardens when you’re done. It’s just beautiful.
Ellen C. says
I had lunch at the tea house last year – I wish I had known about the tea service prior to visiting but my lunch selection was delicious. My main reason for visiting Port Orchard was to visit Debbie Macomber’s yarn shop. I was so fortunate to have visited shortly before it closed. I purchased some fabulous hand-dyed yarn and made scarfs for my girlfriend and I to commemorate our little road trip. My girlfriend lives in Tualatin, OR (just outside Portland) and I took her on a road trip up to Port Orchard. The tea shop also has a very nice gift shop and it is worthy of a stroll through. I’m heading up to my girlfriend’s next week – maybe your review will interest her in another road trip!
suzanne says
Thank you! Have been curious about the shop but haven’t checked into it. Showed my girl your review and we will be booking a reservation there next week. Are they baby friendly? we would Need to bring the happy go lucky grand babe too.
Anna says
The Cedar Cove drama series based on her books is on Netflix. The film locations they used ( filmed in BC, not Port Orchard) are gorgeous! I will have to check out The Grey House Cafe -thanks for the review. 🙂
Patty P says
Thanks for the heads up on this! I didn’t know this was on Netflix!
Patty P says
I love reading Debbie Macomber books! Once I get through my stack from the library, I’ll have to catch up with some more of her books!
The tea service looked amazing! I’m more of a coffee girl, but do enjoy tea as well. The food looked great!
Melanie says
Wow! I’ve paid more for entire meals and not gotten that amount of food! Ha! Sounds like a wonderful time!
Renee says
Being a fan of Debbie Macomber, this sounds absolutely lovely. My husband and I haven’t been to the west coast in years. Now, that our children are grown, I think we are going to be heading west next year on vacation. I don’t think he will like the tea service but he loves vacation so I don’t think he will mind.
Amy says
If you loved the tea service and the food at Grey House, you should try their Sunday buffet brunch…FABULOUS!! Super affordable (I believe it’s $11.95 pp) and the menu changes every week!
We started going to (it used to be called) the Doll House probably 20 years ago when my daughter was young. it was (and still is) an awesome place for a mommy/child special lunch. Their apple dumplings were always THE BEST! I hope they still make them!
Teresa Moore says
Tea time d ounds great, but what about the gift shop. Is it still there or are you only serving food.