Yes, we use any excuse to go out to lunch...

We traded our normal table at the Iron Kettle in little ole Sulphur Springs and drove to big, glitzy Carmel...

...for lunch and a spot of tea at Tina's Traditional Tea Room.  (& Tavern...but we skipped the tavern part...)

Charming little place...

...where half the menu is devoted to teas. 

Being the tea connoisseurs that we aren't, we opted to share a pot of pineapple tea and one of Earl Grey creme tea.  And you must not imbibe until the color-coded sandglass says it has steeped the optimal amount of time.

Quite lovely.

We enjoyed some interesting tea sandwich fare topped off with delicious cakes and scones.  And our tea, of course.

We even had the pleasure of dining with Queen Elizabeth herself, and she was gracious enough to allow Linda, Amy, and Peggy a photo op. 

Prince Harry is more my cup of tea....

Brenda (in front) once more came through in finding us a fun lunch spot.

Tea for five, and...

...five for tea.