Set in Southtown along the first Friday path sits Madhatters Tea House and Café. This locally owned business has spent 12 years serving the Alamo City delicious sandwiches, soups, and, of course, hot and cold blended teas. The charming Alice in Wonderland theme is not overwhelming but provides an atmosphere that is whimsical as well as artistic.

The high tea is a perfect mix for someone who wants to try a little bit of everything: choice of tea, three varieties of sliced sandwiches, and a mix of dessert samples. The high tea is made for two and comes at a reasonable price of $18. The spinach and chicken, tuna and jalapeno, and cucumber and cream cheese sandwiches are served atop three tiers of plates, with the bottom used for the dessert samples.

The spinach and chicken sandwiches are tasty, and the jalapeno and tuna is a great combo. However, the overall winner was the cucumber and cream cheese. On previous visits, I fell in love with the turkey avocado and chipotle cream cheese sandwich, which comes as a half or whole option and with a choice of fresh fruit, chips and salsa, or soup. The best word to describe the Madhatters cuisine is “refreshing.” The food is light, and it won’t cause an overstuffed feeling.

One con, however, is that in just a few hours you might be as hungry as before you ate. Not to mention that the choice of jasmine jazz tea was a bit like eating a bitter, raw flower.

Nevertheless, the desserts are a great way to top off a meal. The cinnamon scone and raspberry jelly are absolutely heavenly, and the mix of pecan pie slices and chocolate cheese cake squares are just as pleasant. Madhatters is a laid-back environment that dishes out just as much flavor as it does whimsy.

The Spot: Maddhatters Tea House and Café
The address: 320 Beauregard
Contact info: (210) 212-4832
Link: www.madhatterstea.com