My kids, ages 8 and 11, and I are big Harry Potter fans. So, we were excited to see that Clockwork Rose Tea Emporium in Beaverton was again offering their Wizarding Tea! We immediately booked a reservation for a day they were offering seating for individual groups — they also have days with communal tables — and waited for the magical day to arrive.
On the day of our reservation, we donned our wizard wear and headed out. We were escorted through Platform 9 ¾ into the tea room, where we were immediately struck by the level of detail in the decorations. There were Hogwarts letters pouring out of the fireplace, portraits of characters straight from the books and movies on the wall, and fun extras like mandrakes and flu powder tucked throughout the room.
Once seated, the list of teas were explained to us and we placed our order, including food. While all of the teas were delicious, I think my son’s choice, Slughorn’s Potion, was the showstopper. The tea was purple until he added a “magic potion,” which turned it pink! Although most of the teas use a black tea base, we were informed that any of them could be decaffeinated, allowing the kids to choose from all of the options.
As we waited for our food, we were led through a tea leaf reading ceremony. After the required clockwise and counter-clockwise swirls, we flipped our cups upside down onto a saucer. Thanks to a helpful divination guide, we each read our own tea leaves. While my daughter and I have great things ahead, my son appears to be doomed. Poor guy!
The food arrived presented on three tiers, causing the kids’ jaws to drop and their eyes to light up. With everything from cucumber sandwiches, smoked-salmon sandwiches, butterbeer scones, sausage quiche to multiple delicious desserts, the food was a hit with everyone. The themed food names — like Cauldron Cakes, which had hidden cake colors to reveal your true house — just added to the fun. After eating our fill, the kids had a great time taking pictures in an alcove full of Harry Potter themed props and decorations.
Pro Tips:
- The cost is $65 per person; there is no children’s pricing for this event. If that doesn’t fit your family’s budget, Clockwork Rose has a takeout menu available. You could still don your robes and enjoy a more budget-friendly tea at home.
- Book your reservation far in advance! This special tea sells out quickly, but you can email and ask to be put on next year’s list and they will contact you with a presale date! They also offer other themed teas throughout the year, such as a Mad Hatter’s Tea and a holiday Dickens Tea, as well as traditional tea service. A children’s tea service is offered, but you must note the request at the time of your reservation.
- The themed teas may not be for young children or picky eaters, due to the length of the service and the adventurous tea sandwich menu.
We would absolutely recommend splurging on one of Clockwork Rose’s fabulous tea experiences!
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