Last year, as a surprise, my boys (ages 15, 17, and 21) kept a Mother’s Day surprise from me. With the help from their Dad, who booked it a month in advance, they all agreed and planned to be home. They told me well in advance not to book anything for said date, but told me nothing about it!
They instructed me to dress up the morning and finally told me they were taking me to The Mad Hatter Restaurant and Tea House for the Mother’s Day Brunch.
I was so excited! I had always wanted to go! Living in a house of men, I didn’t think I would get the opportunity to go, but they were troopers, dressed up too, and even wore hats.
I have a deep affinity for Alice in Wonderland. I have a whole flower garden, 20 feet by 100 feet long, with a walking path. There are zones dedicated to the different characters of the story, ending with a life-size black and white chess board. You can imagine my excitement!
The Mad Hatter Restaurant is in the Historic Woodbury House on the Rum River in Anoka, Minnesota. The home, dating back to 1857, was used as a haven during the Dakota-Indian War of 1862. The Woodburys were big on Socializing and stayed in the home well into the 1900s. It changed owners many times. In the 2000s, it became a rental property, like most grand, large homes often do, until it fell into disrepair. It was bought by the City of Anoka in 2012; they started looking for a buyer because they didn’t want to see it neglected any further.
That’s where Tim & Liz Koch, owners of The Mad Hatter Restaurant & Tea House, came into the picture. Restorations began, and The Woodbury House is once again a gathering place and an iconic landmark of Anoka, Minnesota.
They have ample parking. As soon as you drive up, the walkway beckons you to the side of the house. You look out on the beautiful landscape where many lawn parties are held. We entered and told them our names for the reservation. The stairway behind was decorated with hanging flower chains above a stairway of diamond faux-painted walls. It was elegant and whimsical at the same time.
We were led to our table. While the dining room was not super large, it was intimate and decorated, much like you’d expect for a mad hatter theme! There were clocks on the walls, mirrors, crowns, keys, and flowers everywhere!
We were given our choices of tea. My boys had never tried tea, so it was a new world for them! I also learned so much about loose-leaf tea and steeping times. We picked a chai (one of my favorites), and the boys picked a chocolate mint.
My oldest had just returned home from his Junior year of college, so we spent time waiting to catch up. He would be leaving for thirteen weeks on an internship next week, so this was precious time for me with all three of them together.
When our tea arrived, it was on these little glass flower tea light warmers. So brilliant! How else do you keep a pot of tea consistently warm for long periods of polite conversation? I found one similar on Amazon.
After having loose-leaf tea, there is no comparison! I have to say, I have become a tea snob. I will drink bagged tea if that is my only option, but I prefer loose-leaf! Then our food came. Oh my goodness! It was so beautiful and delicious! When my husband called and made the reservation, they asked about food allergies. My youngest son has tree nut allergies. I am thankful they are on top of the allergens when serving and creating foods.
They did have a couple of allergens in them. The waitress pointed those out, and the kitchen made a nut-free cookie for him.
Everything was finger-food size, like it should be at a tea house brunch. The desserts were so beautifully decorated you almost didn’t want to eat them…almost! The sandwiches and the savory, heart-shaped biscuits were some of our favorites.
The Manager and Owner came around and asked us how everything was. We raved about everything. Of course, Josiah told them about my garden, and they encouraged me to apply for a job with them! I would have loved to work in this environment in a heartbeat if it was closer and not every weekend. Plus, all my traveling probably would not fit with working there, but you never know what the future holds…maybe someday!
Mad Hatter Restaurant and Tea House is now accepting reservations for Mother’s Day tea. They also have other events, like a Christmas Brunch! You can schedule special events like bridal showers or baby showers there. If you have never been, I highly recommend it!
