Today, I got to spend my entire afternoon with my BFF, Eileen!
Eileen and I actually met back in 2003 (or 2004? I can’t remember for sure) in one of our classes at college. At the time, she was living off campus in an apartment and thinking about moving on campus. I, on the other hand, was still living at home and commuting to school, and was also thinking about moving on campus. By the next semester, we moved on campus together and became roomies.
The two of us seriously had a blasty in college!
We always said how lucky we were to be in that one class. Otherwise, who knows where we’d be now, or if we’d have ever met! I say, it was fate. 
And even though college is long gone, and we no longer live 10 minutes away from each other, we still try our best to get together whenever possible.
Because there’s really never a dull moment!
I love my Leeny! 
So this afternoon, Eileen made the trip up and we headed out for lunch at a place I’ve been dying to visit: The Whistling Tea Kettle.
It was quite busy when we walked in, and actually ended up having to wait almost 30 minutes for a table. I had no idea they were so popular!
The Whistling Tea Kettle has an enormous assortment of loose-leaf teas, which you can also purchase in the store.
We spent a good amount of time “sniffing” our way through the choices.
Eventually, we made it to a table and had luckily, had already perused the menu, so we knew exactly what were getting.
We both ordered the “Make Your Own Afternoon Tea,” which includes a choice of sandwich/quiche/crepe, soup/salad, and dessert. PLUS, unlimited iced tea of the day!
The iced tea of the day was the Springtime Melody, which is green tea with strawberry and orange. It was very light and refreshing.
Within less than 20 minutes, our food was ready…and is this display not the coolest, or what?!?
For my combo, I got the Kettle house salad with balsamic vinaigrette on the side. Simple, but very tasty.
For my main course, I ordered the Turkey and Avocado Panini, which was honey smoked turkey, avocado, sun-dried tomato pesto, tomatoes, and provolone on a grilled focaccia loaf.
This sandwich was out of control. One of the best sandwich combos I’ve had in a long time!
I easily could have devoured the whole thing, but I decided to save half to have for dinner tonight, since I really needed to save room for my dessert course…
A mixed berry scone with fresh homemade cream and preserves.
Now normally, I wouldn’t choose to get a scone for dessert (I’m kind of a scone snob…) but there was something about the fresh homemade cream and preserves that caught my attention.
Let me just tell you, I’m so glad that I got this scone! It was absolutely incredible. And the homemade cream? Oh good lord. The best I’ve ever had, no doubt about it.
(please ignore the ugly, chipping manicure…)
This scone was by no means small, but I ate every last bite.
PLUS a bite of Eileen’s flourless chocolate cake…
YUMMM!!!
The Whistling Tea Kettle actually has a entire gluten-free menu, which is one of the reasons we decided to come here (yes, that chocolate cake is gluten-free!). Eileen was easily able to order off the menu and find something to suit her. Everything was just perfect!
There is no doubt that I will be back to The Whistling Tea Kettle. If you live anywhere near the Ballston Spa area, I would HIGHLY recommend it!!
Now I think I’m going to go eat that other half of my panini, and then Jay and I are headed out to meet up with a few of our friends tonight.
Talk about a great Saturday, right??
Hope you’re all having just as great of a day!!
*Don’t forget to enter my “Blueberry Muffin Larabar Giveaway!” You have until Monday to enter!
Comments