If you go
› Where: Polly Claire’s, 6178 Adamson Circle› Hours: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Saturday lunch and tea; 6-9 p.m. Friday-Saturday dinner› Price range: $5-$14 lunch; $29 and up afternoon tea; $15-$34 Dinner at The Dent evening entrees› Alcohol: No› For more information: 423-521-4832
EDITOR'S NOTE: This is one in a series of reviews featuring our staff's favorite places to dine. They are either go-to spots we frequent for good service and conversation, the favorite dishes we order over and over or the one-of-a-kind Chattanooga restaurants that make us love our Scenic City that much more.
As the focus on favorite spots begins to wind down, I'm sharing with readers a quaint and perfect tea room that's so much more than "just a tea room." Polly Claire's brings history and culture into every dining experience in a way that few restaurants have. Rarely do I get the chance to dine out on my own or with friends; but a couple of my closest gal pals and I have made a point of visiting this happy spot during the Christmas season. Our most recent visit was no exception to the class and style we've experienced there before.
It starts with the atmosphere. From the time you step foot in the door, you're immediately greeted by a warm, friendly staff ready to make sure your meal in the tea room, appropriately dubbed "your experience," is nothing less than exceptional. Beautiful and calming classical music sets the tone in the background, and everything around diners just releases notes of peace and calm.
THE SPACE
Polly Claire's is in the historic Dent House on Adamson Circle, the last standing plantation home in Chattanooga. It served as the Bonny Oaks Children's Home for many decades. While the restaurant opened as a tea room and gift shop, evening meals were later added, which are ideal for date nights or special events thanks to available private dining rooms.
Each table is set with fine china. Walls are lined with pictures of children who grew up in the Dent House along with traditional afternoon tea memorabilia such as hats, gloves, picture frames and antique china place settings. It's like stepping into a small piece of Southern history and old England at the same time - beautiful and timeless.
Traditional Victorian tea for two.
Savory pumpkin soup is served with a scone bite at Polly Clarie's.THE ORDER
For this Christmas trip, my girlfriends settled on the Victorian afternoon tea, which is a four-course meal complete with the freshly brewed pot of tea of your choice. We gathered that the Christmas blend would be best to start, as it's made with a black tea leaf, cloves, candied pieces, cinnamon and jasmine petals.
In recent months, Polly Claire's has begun serving traditional "lunch plates" as well, so I opted to give one a whirl for this visit. I settled on the brunch plate, which included chicken salad phyllo cup, quiche, fruit, a savory scone bite and a shortbread round. When our server shared with me that Polly Claire's is currently offering a savory pumpkin soup, I quickly added a cup of that to my experience.
Quite simply, the pumpkin soup was amazing, and I wish I had gotten an entire bowl. It had a thick, creamy texture with perfectly sliced pieces of fresh pumpkin and crunchy roasted pumpkin seeds as a garnish. From there, our main courses arrived. My friends' three-tiered tray of sandwiches, scones and desserts was as glamorous as it was decadent.
My brunch plate's chicken salad was garnished with an edible pink orchid, and the quiche was portioned perfectly for lunch and full of flavor.
THE SERVICE
While you may not be the queen of England, the staff at Polly Claire's certainly does everything they can to make you feel like you are. The servers are smiling, pleasant and genuine. The management drops by tables periodically to make sure everything is just the way you want it to be.
At our visit, we actually had one tiny hiccup with one of our favorite desserts. The manager came in immediately to correct the problem with sincere concern. It's refreshing to have a dining experience that's not only nice in appearance and taste, but also in the way care and attention is provided patrons.
THE VERDICT
While it's only our once-a-year Christmas treat for now, it's a goal and New Year's resolution for 2018 to make Polly Claire's my once-a-month treat with friends. The food is full of flavor, and the setting is relaxing and inviting.
Contact Brandi Dixon at bdixon@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6709.