An old fashion Christmas Party

I am very fortunate to be able to serve my community in various ways. Often through this service I am provided opportunities that allow me to enjoy something that I might not otherwise been able to. I like food, so luckily for me these opportunities often allow me to eat at locations I might not normally try. This was the case recently when I met a committee I work with at the Sussex Tea Room (Jitter’s Café) for a Christmas meal.

To write about this evening of food and friendship is hard. I want to tell you about the food but I also want to tell you about the atmosphere around the Café. Which should I start with first? Which made the evening more? I guess the best thing to do is tell you right now that both the atmosphere around the Café and the food both were incredible.

The Sussex Tea Room is located in a small building on Maple Avenue in Sussex. It is an older building that appears drafty and in need of some TLC. On one side it has a large mural painted as part of the Kings East Development Partnership's Mural Project. Once inside, it is a cozy space, with older looking décor that matches nicely to the exterior mood of the building. In the back of the café is a big door that leads to the Don Stiles Museum and if small town history is your thing then this is a place you should visit. Older pictures, posters, newspapers, and paraphernalia are spread across the small back room. The museum easily fits into the feel of the building right down to some of the scratched up tables the items are displayed on.

On the walls around the eating area are paintings, photos, sculptures, and pottery by local artisans. These works are available to buy so you can shop while you eat. What I find great abou the art co-op being right there is the local flavor it adds to the whole place.

As my wife and I walked into the Cafe this night there were trays of hors d'oeuvres that filled the air with a delicious taste. A smell that suited perfectly to the many snacks that I consumed at a shameful pace. When the main meal came I was worried I would not have any room in my stomach, but the instant I saw the large plate in front of me, the fear was gone. I made short work of the home cooked ham and potatoes with all the trimmings.

Conversation around the table was jovial and laughter filled the air and I truly felt like it was an old time Christmas celebration. My wife and I enjoyed ourselves immensely and will surely make an effort to support this small local business more regularly in the year to come. We want to wish the staff at the Tea Room a very Merry Christmas and to all those who enjoyed the meal with us and shared in the laughter a Merry Christmas as well.