Photo by Maggie Vaughn
The high-calorie English tradition of high tea is no mere beverage and biscuit but a meal unto itself (and heavy on the desserts). For the past six years, the Schuster Mansion Bed & Breakfast (3209 W. Wells St.) has served a scrumptious high tea in lacey Victorian surroundings. Co-owner Laura Sue Mosier prefaces the feast with her explanation of high tea etiquette, including proper placement of napkins, and concludes with a tour of the historic site. In between comes a seasonally changing menu of savories (asparagus wraps in summer, turkey-pumpkin in fall) along with scones, wedding cakes, cream puffs and angel food. A selection of seven loose-leaf teas is available, including an aromatic herbal option. Tea is served 1 p.m. Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Reservations are required. Call 414-342-3210 or visit shustermansion.com.