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hen a dear friend made surprise plans to celebrate my birthday this summer, I discovered an enchanting gem hidden in plain sight right here in Marion County. Tucked into the heart of Dunnellon’s historic district lies Sweeties’ Cafe & Bakery where owner Gena Riley has been delighting patrons since April 2016. Because of its ideal location, charming atmosphere and sumptuous offerings, Sweeties’ should be your anchor stop for a fun girls’ outing to Dunnellon. Because most shops close at 5pm, the best plan is to hit them first and then come for tea. But since Sweeties’ also serves brunch or lunch from 10am to 3pm, another option is an early meal, followed by an afternoon exploring the fun shops afterward. Either option is a winner, but the absolute 28
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cheese, fairy cakes (bitesize delicacies), scones with Devonshire cream, chocolate truffles and, of course, all the tea you like, served traditionally with lemon, sugar, honey and milk. Scones are a time-honored English tea item, but that doesn’t make them boring, at least not at Sweeties’. Don’t be a calorie counter and skip the Devonshire cream. This stuff is so fabulous, you’ll devour every drop. Whether you’ve come for high tea or lunch, all menu items are homemade, which accounts for the quality. From the hearty tomato pie and stuffed French toast to the decadent peanut butter pie and bread pudding, Gena crafted the menu based on favorite dishes. Even the vanilla ice cream is homemade, which explains why the brownie sundaes and root beer floats are so amazing. Sweeties’ also has a beer and wine license,
Girls’ Day Out High tea at Sweeties’ Café & Bakery makes for a memorable girls’ ouuting in Dunnellon. // B Y C Y N T H I A M C FA R L A N D
pièce de résistance is high tea, which is by reservation only from 3:30-5pm daily and can accommodate up to 32 guests. I can say from personal experience that this is a most memorable choice for a special celebration— birthday or otherwise. From the captivating setting to the delicious fare and attentive, friendly service, we felt princess-like throughout our entire visit. We came hungry and were wowed by the spread. High tea includes three types of tea sandwiches (including the ever-popular cranberry chicken salad), quiche, fresh fruit,