Albuquerque, New Mexico, is not the first place you’d expect to find one of the top tearooms in the country. Yet belied by its adobe exterior, the St. James Tearoom is one of the highest-rated places for British afternoon tea in the United States. But there’s more than just a fine dining experience that makes the spot a hidden gem.
After frequenting St. James for years for an annual, and later monthly, mother-daughter tea, I worked for a time in the tearoom’s shop. I was amazed to discover the extensive behind-the-scenes culture underlying the guests’ experience.
