My Kat Life

Rose Valley Sweets is a gem! This Persian bakery and cafe is nestled in a plaza in Johns Creek, GA. When a friend invited me to have tea, I had to say yes; I love an elegant afternoon tea experience! Rose Valley Sweet’s tea experience was a classy afternoon* tea perfect for a girls day out, baby shower, and/or engagement celebration!
_{*Difference between British ‘afternoon’ and ‘high’ tea and their history below.}

Outside the cafe, you’re greeted with a rose floral arrangement framing the doors and windows accompanied by patio tables and chairs (for warmer weather al fresco dining). The interior is elegant with dark blue walls, emerald green plush chairs, brown leather sofa seats, marble-surface tables, and paintings framed with gold. My mouth started watering when I spotted the pastry and cake fridge. Customers can pick up a number of different pastries like baklava, cream puffs, individual-sized cakes, and full-sized cakes for a celebration. Their pistachio and rose cake looks beautiful, and I can only imagine what it tastes like!

The two of us sat down at one of their tables and awaited our high tea experience. The pot of tea was set in front of us with a warmer underneath, and elegant tea glasses that came with rock candy on a stick (oh the memories of eating these as a kid!). We swirled in the amount of sugar we wanted into our own cup of tea. Our eyes bulged when the pastries and cakes on elegant displays were set down in front of us. There were baklava, cream puffs, cakes, and other pastries. The items paired well with the tea and I didn’t find any of the items too sweet. As a lot of East Asian folks will attest, “not too sweet” is a compliment and important factor in judging desserts (both food and drinks). Many of the items, as you might guess, are made with ingredients like rose water, pistachio, and cardamom.

Some of my favorite items were the napoleon (I love the flaky layers of napoleons) and rose baklava.

Additional drinks we tried included the vanilla blue mocha, which looked beautiful as the milk was poured in, strawberry mocha, and a pistachio ice frappe. If you like pistachio, the smoothie was delicious!

High tea: $35/person with a 5 person minimum. A reservation 1 week in advance is required via phone. Please plan ahead with a reservation so they can have your experience prepared, especially when it’s busy in the cafe! Requesting high tea without a reservation during busy times may result in a wait if they are able to accommodate the request.

Rose Valley Sweets
6000 Medlock Bridge Pkwy Ste B100, Johns Creek, GA 30022
No website; find their Instagram here.
Hours according to Google Maps: 11am – 8pm daily (holidays may vary)

High Tea vs Afternoon Tea
Both of these come from British tradition, but are quite different. Afternoon tea reflects the British tradition of filling in the gap between lunch and dinner when dinner was served later in the evenings (8pm) compared to today. This is the more elevated experience that come to mind when we think of the quintessential British tea experience; it was originally a private social event for the ladies of the upper echelon. Afternoon tea, also referred to as ‘low tea’ by the upper class, typically includes tea, sandwiches cut into “fingers,” scones, and pastries served in the drawing room with guests seated in low comfortable chairs and sofas. High tea, on the other hand, was enjoyed by the working class who couldn’t enjoy an afternoon tea break; they enjoyed a more substantial meal when they arrived home from work around 5 or 6pm that typically consisted of a mug of tea, cheese, vegetables, bread, and some meat on occasion. The ‘high’ refers to the height of the tables where the meals are served; high tea was served at the dining table. The terms ‘high’ and ‘afternoon’ tea has been used interchangeably amongst international folks.
*Source: AfternoonTea.co.uk

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