Muir's Tea Room serves High Tea in Sebastopol

Christine Dzilvelis has opened Muir's Tea Room, inspired by famed conservationist and Scottish native John Muir, in the former Ceres Community Project space at 330 South Main St. in Sebastopol.

The Tea Room serves a plant-based menu of soups and salads, a la carte finger sandwiches and a wide selection of afternoon Tea Services, served in the English and Scottish tradition. The Tea Services range from $9.95 to $29.95 and include endless pots of tea plus various and sundry scones, fresh fruit, savory pasties, 'sausage' rolls and petits desserts.

Dzilvelis, an event producer who is passionate about sustainability, bought the 1892 classic Queen Anne home and restored it, removing walls and adding wood floors, authentic wallpaper and a vintage fireplace. The cottage garden out front and a small deck out back offer outdoor seating.

'For me, it's the perfect tie-in with conservation and tea and Northern California,' she said. 'My daughter's half Scottish, so that's my claim to Celtic fame.'

The Tea Room serves tea sourced from Mr. Trombly's Tea in Duncans Mills, plus gourmet finger sandwiches such as Pear & Walnut and Pesto Tomato, 20 kinds of desserts and authentic British scones made with lemon zest and currants.

Chef Tika Moon also serves four salads, including a popular Thai Salad made with kale and cabbage, red onions, bell peppers, tofu, tomatoes, carrots, cilantro and chickpeas.

Muir's Tea House is open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, and serves High Tea until 3:15 p.m. each day. There is also a coffee bar serving Flying Goat Coffee and a lactose-free gelato called Genuto, that comes in flavors such as rosewater and pistachio.

In the gift shop, Dzilvelis offers vintage items, living floral arrangements, British tea paraphernalia, home and garden accents and artisan food and bath products.

The Tea House hosts a wide range of special events, including a Summer Solstice Tea and Father's Day Weekend Tea on June 20 and 21. There are plans to add dinner service, with beer and wine, in late June.

Reservations are recommended for High Tea during the weekend and on holidays. 634-6143. muirstearoom.com.