I’ve been to Miss Marple’s before. It was a sunny weekday afternoon and Beck (of Macarons are not Macaroons fame) and myself strolled in with nary a care in the world and scored a cozy window seat for our afternoon tea.

My second visit was with Mel and Tom during their whirlwind birthday trip to Melbourne last year and we had scones where we tsk-tsk’d over the rather-not-scones.

I tried going back there again this year with Violet and Jimmy on a weekend and it was not to be. You could hardly squeeze yourself in there to put yourself on a waiting list, much less find an empty seat to sit down and enjoy tea.

Keen for brunch, I went back up the mountains once more with the housemate and K on Father’s Day. We set off bright and early, determined to be there at the opening time in order to score ourselves a tea and hopefully have a beautiful brunch. We stepped through the doors at 11.07am, 7 minutes after opening and scored the 2nd last empty table in the house. Did I mention that Miss Marple’s is popular?

Miss Marple’s Tea Rooms is located in Sassafras, Mt Dandenong and is named after Miss Marple of Agatha Christie fame. The elderly lady was not one to sit home and knit, instead this feisty miss was up and about solving crimes and mysteries. However, the tea rooms are anything but mysterious. Instead it is homely and welcoming, done up like a little english cottage from the early twentieth century. Little tables covered in spotless white linen populate the room but given the huge demand and severe lack of floor space, there is not a great deal of room for anyone to move about. Small enough that one could easily reach over to pick a scone off their neighbour’s table, if one so wish to do so.

The menu is simple and covers a range of open and toasted sandwiches, scones and an array of tea. There’s even pie or quiche, should that tickle your fancy. But really, we were there for the scones.

Squeezing the three of us at an impossibly tiny table, we started feeling the pinch right from the word go. Two bowls containing freshly whipped cream and Miss Marple’s home made jam started the parade of food and we carefully pushed them into the corner, mindful of the need for careful space usage.

Oh, I’m a whinge and we could have asked for the dishes to be taken out to us one by one. But we were hungry and we wanted to see food, so we said to “Bring it on!” and so they did. The Famous Fingers did a jig and landed on our table. Today, her ladyship’s fingers appeared in the form of Smoked Salmon, Eggs, Cheese and Capers Fingers topped with a generous helping of Alfafa. Fairly likable with burst of flavours from the capers. Tad too salty for my liking, but the rest of the table seemed to enjoy it.

Rolling onto the scones, we took a quick look and wondered how to split this into threes. A brief discussion on mathematics and fractions and away we went. Again, these scones were rather-not-scones and more like sponge cakes. Tad too dry for my liking but I did love the strawberry jam. The whipped cream light and fluffy and a welcomed addition to moisten the otherwise-dry-not-scone.

The next was the true highlight of the meal. The Belgian Waffles were not on our original attack plan but that quickly changed as we watched a humongous plate with drool-worthy waffles appear on the neighbour’s table. I needed that in my life.

A satisfying crunch as you break into the waffle followed by an even more satisfying bite. Every mouthful was bliss and even the berries were sweet and enjoyable. (I’m a wuss and I dislike tart berries even though I am told that berries are best enjoyed when slightly tart. I couldn’t disagree more as sour and me are bitter enemies. ) I have been craving for good Belgian Waffles in Melbourne for so long and boy did this scratch the itch. So, so good!

And to wash it all down, we had ordered the “Teapot of Taylors” which was the in-house blend of “Yorkshire Gold”. No need for sugar in this tea, it has a subtle sweetness and soothes the throat and calms the mind as one sips it. (Of course, I also subscribe to the thought that Tea does not require sugar, so don’t take my word on the sugar but trust me when I say it’s pretty good tea.)

An enjoyable morning, with an equally enjoyable brunch, shared with fabulous company. What else could a girl ask for? I love Miss Marple’s though I dislike its popularity as it means queues and fighting for seats. And of course, there’s the other issue of the not-scones. But for a day out in the mountains and a day to treat yourself, Miss Marple’s is the perfect place to go to. If you can get a table, that is.

Miss Marple’s Tea Room
382 Mt Danenong-Tourist Road Sassafras 3787
Sassafras, 3787
(03) 9755 1610
No Bookings or Reservation Taken.