Taylor Made Treats & Tea Room

by Marian Rein

Taylor Mde Treats & Tea Room

301 East Broadway

Alton, IL 62002

 

Taylor Made Treats and Tea Room, a delightful lunch destination, is located in the famous Mineral Springs Mall, formerly Mineral Springs Hotel in Alton, Illinois.

Alice Taylor opened the doors of her business in May of this year. Despite the slow economy, Taylor Made Treats has thrived. Not only is the business doing well, it’s expanding. After sampling all of its fare, I’m not surprised at its recent success.

The menu features homemade soups, sandwiches, salads, a wide assortment of desserts, teas and coffee. With the expansion, slated to open in November, Taylor will begin a catering service as well.

I began my meal with what I think just might be the best salad I’ve ever eaten. It’s called Summer Sensation Salad, and it is absolutely sensational. A unique preparation served on beautiful China, the salad is an arrangement of mixed baby greens, topped with raspberries, strawberries, mandarin oranges, diced apples, candied pecans and raspberry vinegarette and served with a warm roll and honey butter.

As I was about to begin eating the salad, two women came into the tea room, one of whom said, “Wow, that salad looks too pretty to eat.” Well, I did eat it, and it was so good, I ordered another, to go!

 

Always on the menu is Lobster Bisque as well as other homemade soups. The bisque was perfectly seasoned  — a great accompaniment to the salad.

Taylor provided me a sample of all of her soups and salads. Topping my list of Taylor favorites are the Summer Sensation Salad, Fruited Chicken Salad (delightful) and Pulled Pork (slightly sweet and tangy).

Taylor Made Treats & Tea Room is a wonderful experience, well worth the drive from St. Louis. (Not on the menu is an added bonus. See side bar on page 13.)