Well, I'm back from my business trip to San Francisco and I must apologize for not posting sooner. But I am hoping that you will forgive me when I show you all the eye candy that I brought back with me. :-) While I had a bunch of meetings to attend, I managed to fit in quite a bit of fun. First stop was Crown & Crumpet. This gorgeous tea room has been on my "to-do" list for several years now. Owned by the incredibly talented husband and wife team, Amy and Christopher Dean, Crown and Crumpet is a feast for the eyes as well as the stomach! I knew the moment I saw their millinery-festooned "open" sign that this was going to be my kind of place...
Crown & Crumpet's British meets Shabby Chic meets funky decor is beyond beautiful - filled with Cath Kidston's vintage floral prints, colorful artwork, jars of candy, and pretty china.
Wonderful fabrics abound...
This sweet oil painting over the faux-fireplace was so lovely.
Glass jars filled with candy covered every surface.
No detail has been over-looked in this tea room - from the pretty menus to the fresh roses on the tables.
The entire family accompanied me to afternoon tea and we stuffed ourselves on dainty tea sandwiches, classic English scones, and yummy sweets.
Fresh flowers garnished the tiered stands...
The selection of teas was extensive, but after much perseveration, I finally chose the "Marie Antoinette". Absolutely delicious.
And how can you not love a place that ends your meal with a pretty candy bracelet wrapped in cellophane and tied up with a ribbon bow?
Crown & Crumpet also has the most adorable gift shop filled with design books, Japanese stationary, unique jewelry, china tea sets, and linens.
Everything is whimsically displayed.
There are also pretty and hard-to-find Bristish candies like "flying saucers" artfully arranged...
Or how about a giant rainbow-colored marshmallow kabob to go?
I am serious when I say that Crown & Crumpet is just one of those places that you must visit in your lifetime! It is located in Ghirardelli Square in the heart of San Francisco. If you are planning a trip, I highly recommend making reservations well in advance, as this a one very popular tea room! And do check out their website for some fabulous photos of their shop - I fear my picures just don't do it justice as it was getting dark when we arrived and I was losing my light.
Thank you so much, Amy and Christopher! It was such a pleasure to meet you and experience your incredible tea room!
I'll be back tomorrow with more pretty things from San Fran!
XOXO
Jessica
How completely delightful in every way! I knew from the first time I saw that place in a magazine that it was a shop I would dearly love to visit. I remain determined to make it there some day - I do not live that far away.
Thank you so much for sharing the beautiful pictures with us!
Posted by: HeidiAnn | February 27, 2011 at 06:51 PM
Crown and Crumpet was on my "must visit" list as well...I hit it last year and was not disappointed! What a truly amazing and wonderful shop...I could have spent hours looking at all the details in the place. Do you remember the little cabinets they had at the back of the shop full of all the small dolls and such? They inspired me to do a similar project in my house....
http://magpieethel.typepad.com/my_weblog/2010/07/the-most-wonderful-cabinetrevealed.html
fun to visit the shop again thru your photos!
Posted by: laurie magpie ethel | February 27, 2011 at 07:15 PM
Wonderful place Jessica!Thank you for sharing. I just want to let you know I have found the flying saucers at Cracker Barrel restaurant. The bags are on the small side but they are available there. Later,Lori
Posted by: Lori | February 27, 2011 at 07:28 PM
Oh Jess, you gave me some GREAT idea for my blogging get together this summer. LOVE the candy necklace with the thank you sticker on them. We only have the flying saucers around Xmas time here in Canada. They always carry them at our little "DEPANEUR" mean Corner store in French.
Glad you had such a fab time with your family.
This was for sure "right up your sweet alley".
Love Claudie
xoxo
Posted by: claudie | February 27, 2011 at 09:27 PM
OOooh looks like you had great fun!!!!! and yummo!
thea.
xx
(spoonfulzine)
Posted by: theaxx | February 27, 2011 at 10:59 PM
Oh my goodness what a pretty shop.
Posted by: beachvintage.com | February 27, 2011 at 11:15 PM
Jessica!
I knew from the second I saw the sign that it was my kind of place too!
That's so adorable. Next time I'm in San Fran I'm definitely hitting this place up.
You're the best for sharing. And Marie Antoinette Tea? How was it? Yum!
Posted by: Lalanii | March 01, 2011 at 07:11 PM
I visited the shop last year..love the look it has.
Posted by: tammyCA | March 04, 2011 at 01:30 PM