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After years of cooking for families and then venturing into catering, the next logical step for Felecia Prezzano and Tina Sivadon was to open their own restaurant. But first they tackled the gift-shop business.

Last year, the two bought the Vineyard Gift Shop on the west side of the Marietta square. The building came with a vacant second floor that had once been a tea room. After putting their spouses to work every weekend, the partners refurbished the upper rooms to make way for the Vineyard Cafe, a lunch spot that's expanded on the tea room concept.

Renee Brock/Special (ENLARGE)
The cafe's menu features a collection of scones, breads and cookies, which are also a part of the $12.99 tea service.
Renee Brock/Special (ENLARGE)
A light salad and soup are the perfect complenments to tea at the Vineyard Cafe, located on the west side of the square in Marietta.
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At the top of the stairs is a room ideal for gatherings, including popular tea parties. Two main dining rooms toward the front of the building are lit by the big bay window overlooking the square. Paintings depicting many of the city's landmarks dot the walls. And on the way out, check out the room of assorted of teapots, cups and paraphernalia, as well as the collectibles from the gift shop below.

More than just tea

Though there's plenty of tea available, the beverage isn't the main reason to head to the cafe. Start with a warming cup of the homemade soup du jour and a salad of mixed greens and grapes, roasted asparagus or avocado and egg. Nibble on Parmesan spinach bites with a creamy garlic dressing or a slice of asparagus and cheese quiche.

Fill up on the eggplant panini, a hot blend of eggplant, mozzarella cheese, tomato, basil and garlic aioli on grilled ciabatta; or the smoked beef brisket with Swiss on marbled rye. A crispy flatbread is topped with tomatoes, Feta, onions, olives and cheeses; turkey, bacon and cheese are piled on a sweet raisin walnut bread. The cafe's most in-demand item is the oversized croissant, stuffed with chunks of white chicken, cranberries and almonds.

Leave room for the warm cinnamon or cranberry scones slathered with honey or strawberry butter. There's also a selection of cookies and cakes that changes regularly, as well as a mousse trio of sweet flavors in pastry cups.

From the bar

That's a tea bar, in this case. Ward off the winter chills with a pot of your favorite from the lengthy list. There are 11 black teas, four green, two herbal and two white to pick from, along with a list of tisanes. The loose teas are served in individual French press pots and poured into elegant china cups.

The $12.99 tea service comes with scones, breads, cookies and fruit spreads. For $17.95, add a cup of soup and assorted tea sandwiches.

• Signature dish: chicken salad with cranberries and almonds in a flaky croissant
• Entree prices: $4.95-$8.50
• Hours: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays
• Reservations: yes
• Credit cards: yes