SILOAM SPRINGS — Rob and Dawn Cork were only visiting America, mind you.Early last year, they had come to visit friends in southwest Arkansas - their first visit to the country. When they ventured up to Benton County, the Corks were lost. But they did stumble on what they found to be a charming little town: Siloam Springs.

They couldn't shake that town from their minds. The people were friendly. Life was easy-going. And unlike the compact living conditions in their home country of England, space was sprawling.

They liked it so much, they uprooted themselves from their hometown of Burton on Trent, located in east central England, and opened only last month The English Tea Room, which brings an authentic taste "from across the pond" to the foothills of the Ozark Mountains.

While casual attire is the norm for patrons, the tables are dressed formally from the china to the ornate table settings.

The couple aims to provide an English experience. In short, expect scones, crumpets and sandwiches unlike those in America.

Oh, and plenty of tea, of course.

"How many women do you know who don't like to be pampered?" Dawn Cork said. "They love the doilies; they love the china."

While it's been a big hit with women, Rob Cork said the place has also become popular with males, including those who come by themselves with books for a little tea-time reading.

Even the building is Victorian. Known as the Village Square building, it was built in 1882 and was restored by the Corks and their friends.

Because the food is prepared English-style, it is different from what folks in Arkansas are accustomed to, the Corks said.

The sandwich menu offers two categories: Sandwiches ($5.95) and Salad Sandwiches ($6.95). All sandwiches are served on a choice of white, rye and wheat breads and come with a serving of potato chips.

The sandwiches include tuna, sweet corn and mayonnaise; egg and mayonnaise; and red salmon and cucumber. Additionally, the Prawn in Marie Rose Dressing sandwich consists of the large, shrimp-like crustaceans served in the exotic dressing. The Marie Rose dressing, the couple says, is also available for the salads the tea room serves.

"We can't keep up with it," Dawn Cork said.

While the couple wouldn't reveal the ingredients, they said the closest dressing it could be compared to is Thousand Island.

Meanwhile, the salad sandwiches are less dependent on mayonnaise and rely more on other flavors. The choices include ham, turkey, chicken, cheese and prawn.

While French in origin, quiche Lorraine is very popular in England, and the couple has included it on the menu paired with a side salad for $6.95.

Toasties - or toast, as we say in America - come in these flavors: cheese and tomato, cheese and onion, ham and tomato and ham and cheese. Served with the soup of the day, a toastie costs $6.95.

Tea costs $1.85 a cup and come in 10 flavors: English breakfast, Earl Grey, Lady Grey, Irish breakfast, raspberry, Country Peach Passion, wild berry, True Blue Berry, Black Cherry Berry and Plantation Mint.

A pot of tea for one costs $3.50.

The English Tea Room also offers various tea and food pairings that range from $8 per person for tea and dessert to $19.95 for The Windsor Tea Package, which comes with a pot of tea served with a selection of finger sandwiches, homemade quiches, homemade fruit flans, a selection of individual cheesecakes, two fresh-baked English scones served with cream and a choice of preserve.

A 24-hour advance reservation is required for the latter package.

Still, there are times when the tea room tries to accommodate the tastes of Arkansans.

For example, the Southern staple of ice tea is not listed on the menu, and when people ask for it, Dawn Cork encourages them to try it hot first.

If they still prefer ice tea after sampling it English style, she'll gladly pour it over ice.

No requests have been made yet, she said.

For more information, call 524-5994.

Business, Pages 6 on 08/26/2009

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