Cuppa more, please

Fine china and Victorian décor encompassed the charm of Southern Virginia as I walked into Cuppa Tea Company-a tearoom located on Main and Morris Streets. A lovely alternative to a run-of-the-mill Richmond coffee shop, my sister and I found ourselves savoring delectable desserts and sipping aromatic tea on a rainy Friday afternoon. The relaxing warm ambience was the perfect shelter from the dreary weather.

Though visitors are asked to make reservations, we were lucky enough to call a mere five minutes prior to arriving and have owner Allen Wagner personally accommodate us. Escorted to the main dining area, we sat down by the window on intricately decorated chairs, surrounding a wooden coffee table with an abundant supply of magazines neatly placed on the bottom shelf.

After contemplating what to order, we finally decided on our own personal pots of teas (about three cups each). The price of $4.50 for a small pot of tea was reasonable, and worth it to be served on a beautiful pink pot with adorning flowers. The spicy chai tea I ordered proved to be a delicate blend of spices, complimented with the slightest bit of sugar.

Alongside our tea, we ate a moist croissant with Nutella in the middle, topped with the right amount of honey as well as a chocolate mousse cake that (as an avid chocolate lover) got my nod of approval.

The best part of stepping into this beautiful tearoom was the privacy that we were afforded, allowing for some much needed catching up and constant chatter. Unlike most corporate restaurants, we were not being interrupted every five minutes asking how we were doing-a courtesy that was much appreciated by visitors like us who were just looking for calm, luxurious surroundings, a savory snack and some therapeutic tea. This undoubtedly unique experience came to a total of $20 for two people, including tip-a low price to pay for such a delightful afternoon.

Grade: A+