The sophistication of Afternoon Tea is a tradition that’s been revived in Redmond. Steep Teahouse & Gifts began serving High Tea in July, when Kelle Doran and her husband moved from Prineville to Redmond and bought the business on NW 7th Street, which was formerly Maple Moon Home & Gift. Steep is packed full of items perfect for filling gift baskets such as loose leaf tea, lotions, soaps, Stonewall Kitchen seasonings, kitchen items and more. Customers can also buy tea and pastries to go or sit in what Doran calls ‘the casual room.’
Reservations are only needed if customers are interested in experiencing one of their high tea packages. “The fancier teas take longer, to make the food. So, they could even call an hour before,” Doran says.
The most elaborate High Tea offered includes four tea sandwiches such as cucumber, dill and cream cheese or ham, Brie and apple. “We do a coronation chicken sandwich. That’s what they served at the king’s coronation. It’s like a turmeric and a couple other spices, shredded chicken. That one’s really good on croissants,” Doran says. High Tea also includes two savories, a small salad, a scone with lemon curd, preserves and Devonshire cream, three small desserts and a pot of tea for $45 per person.
There are three options for $15, such as the Princess Tea, which includes two sandwiches, a scone, three petite desserts with a pot of tea; the Charcuter-Tea, which is an assortment of cheese, crackers, meats, berries, dried fruit, nuts, a small dessert and tea; or the Dessert Tea, which has a scone, four mini-desserts and pot of tea. Doran says they can accommodate people with dietary needs, such as gluten free or vegan if requested when making the reservation.
The Afternoon Tea has two sandwiches, two savories, a scone, two desserts and a pot of tea for $29 and the Steep Tea is the simplest version with a pot of tea and scone for $10.
The idea of Afternoon Tea is attributed to the seventh Duchess of Bedford, Anna Maria Russell, in 1840. The evening meal was served sometime between eight and nine p.m., but the Duchess struggled with hunger around four or five in the afternoon and began requesting tea, bread, butter and cake as a daily ritual.
“For 17 years I’ve wanted to have a tea shop and was just kind of waiting for the right time,” Doran says. “I have always watched Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, all those. I went to school in a castle in England for one semester. I just love tea!”
There’s a baker on staff and a flower shop operating inside the Steep gift store, as well as a vendor selling vintage items on the property. There’s also a BNB, which Doran also manages.
Ongoing road construction makes it challenging to reach Steep Teahouse & Gifts, but Doran says that’s expected to be finished at their location by the end of November. She’s already looking ahead to the holidays and taking reservations for a special Christmas High Tea brunch the first three Saturdays in December at 11am. She may add additional days if needed.
Steep Tea House & Gifts
Tue-Sat, 10am-4pm
307 NW 7th St., Redmond
steep-teahouse.com/
This article appears in the Source October 30, 2025.
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