Welcome to the Windsor Rose Tea Room and Restaurant!

The Windsor Rose History

The Windsor Rose Old English Tea Room and Restaurant was born in 1991. It was a small quaint hideaway among a delightful garden filled with the aroma of hot fresh pastries, scones and many flavors of tea. The original location was owned by Richard and Christine Annis. Richard hails from California and Christine from Britain. Many of the historic adornments decorating the walls of the Windsor came from England and were acquired by the couple. They owned the Windsor for seven years. It was first tucked away behind an inviting arbor covered with greenery. A step inside the cobblestone path revealed a brick patio with a comforting bench overlooking a delightful garden of flowering plants. The Windsor soon outgrew the original location with only seven tables and Richard and Christine moved the restaurant to the larger building originally called, “The Garden Shop” next door.

The old building, courtyard, and arbor are still in full view of the west windows. The original Windsor location is nestled among many hanging plants of what is now a unique gift shop specializing in unusual home décor and candles owned by Terry Cummins appropriately named, Piece of Mine, for the last three years.

The second owners of the Windsor were another mixture of British and Asian descent. The third owners were a British couple, Chris and Dawn Adams. The fourth owners were a British couple, Paul and Susan Goodale from Essex. Paul remains the current owner with a slight twist.

Paul brought family recipes to the Windsor and the English menu expanded to include classic British fayre complimented with the freshest and best ingredients with imported products to retain the authenticity of each dish. Everything at the Windsor is homemade and a labour of love by the devoted kitchen staff under Paul’s leadership.

Susan Goodale was the “face” of the Windsor Rose and spent a great deal of time meeting and greeting people and chatting with the customers. For those that knew her they remained true friends. Unfortunately, Susan returned to England in 2008 in poor health missing England and her sons and eventually Susan and Paul divorced.

Paul kept the restaurant going seven days a week during rough times. One must keep spirits high and Paul kept a stiff upper lip with the help of a devoted staff!  After Susan Goodale returned to England, Sue C. was hired as the Windsor’s Manageress and currently is the person most associated with the front of the restaurant.

The current chapter of the Windsor history gets a bit more exciting. Paul met Marsha and it was truly love at first sight. Being American, and a true Daughter of the American Revolution they make an interesting couple. They married in 2009. Marsha works in the restaurant as many days as possible and loves to get to know the customers.

Our local customers have come to rely on great service in a friendly, lovely atmosphere where the servers dressed in Victorian style aprons cater to the needs of our guests. Locals have favorite tables as well as servers and look forward to spending weekly visits at the Windsor. Each server has their own charismatic personality that helps to give our staff pride in their performance while serving the delectable entrees and handmade desserts to our customers.

Our kitchen team works in synchronicity under the supervision of Chef Sean. Our daily specials and unusual pairing of sauces over fresh salmon filets results in both the inviting look of an edible work of art and a mouth-watering masterpiece. We feature a homemade soup du jour and many creative culinary seasonal specials that do not appear on our lunch menu. There is literally something for everyone’s palate.

The Windsor Rose has become quite a well-known restaurant over the years with a very loyal following. We have regular visits from British citizens on holiday as well as those that have settled stateside. Our American patrons come from all over the United States for a bit of royal hospitali-tea! The Windsor is steeped in Royal history which makes it a destination for those who are interested in dining among the Kings and Queens.

The Windsor is becoming known not only for their food but for British groceries, and imported teas from favorite English brands like Taylors, Yorkshire, Twining’s, and Tetley. Most recently, the Windsor has expanded into loose leaf teas hand blended from Dil’s Royal teas from Sri Lanka. (Ceylon)

We also carry a large selection of handmade custom tea cozies commissioned from DonnaLee Designs, and a selection by local crafters. The Windsor carries a large selection of imported fine bone English china teapots, cups& saucers, trinket boxes, and Royal commemorative gift items for purchase.

Whether it is a trip to the Windsor Rose for a gift, a gift certificate, groceries, teas, or a great meal we look forward to making your experience a memorable one! The current chapter of the Windsor history is still being written–while we endeavor to stay with tradition, we are always looking for ways to improve all that we offer.

About The Goodale’s

Paul has always been an entrepreneur. He has owned several businesses in the past as well as being a graphic designer in London. Paul owned a bakery in England and a record shop in the late seventies aptly called, “Riot Records”. Paul has owned the Windsor since 2005.  Every day Paul is in the kitchen. Paul starts early making the scones and the traditional English Cornish Pasty’s using his favorite recipes, or making “Scotch Eggs” to order.

Marsha has also been an entrepreneur working in the music industry for thirty years and owning a record store, “Stacks O’ Tracks” with her partner Curtis, prior to working for A&M Records in Hollywood. Oddly enough, both Paul and Marsha owned music stores at the same time just on different sides of the Atlantic!

Marsha’s varied career in retail, marketing, merchandising, corporate sales training and management has been the perfect background to compliment the endeavors of the grueling restaurant industry.

Marsha’s ancestor, Arthur Middleton, signed the Declaration of Independence. So Marsha could claim perhaps that somewhere in her lineage she is related to Kate Middleton! However, as she did not receive a personal Royal invitation to the Wedding of the Century it must be assumed that she is far removed. She is also very distantly related to Abraham Lincoln.  Marsha has some Irish heritage in her bloodline and related to many Sweeney’s from Ireland. The patriotism comes a bit at odds on the Fourth of July when Marsha and Paul are on the opposite sides of the battle but still delight in sharing tea!

Since two creative heads are better than one, The Windsor has made many changes and the Goodale’s combined talents have broadened the restaurant direction in many areas. We hope to continue surprising and delighting our clientele for many years to come. Look for our new upcoming event schedules! We value your business and look forward to seeing you soon!

About Our Staff

The Windsor Rose Staff and Management Team

Owners: Paul & Marsha Goodale

Manageress: Sue C.

Our hardworking kitchen with: Execuctive Head Chef Kiet, Chef Alyssia,  Michael, and Alex.

Our friendly servers: Kim, Kellie, Jodi, Michelle, Sherri,  and our jack-of-all-trades: Luigi

Thanks for all of your hard work and best wishes in your retirement: Jean

Welcome Back: Michelle

Our best wishes for your continuing education: Tara

Our best wishes in your new endeavors: Chef Sean

Congratulations to our excellence award for 2011: Kellie

Congratulations to our Employee of the Yearfor 2011: Kimberly        

 

In Fond Memory: Our server, Linda Morehouse, and our valued customer Miss Nancy