Jon M.
Yelp
Wow. Just, wow.
This is not your typical tea house. This is an old school, Downton Abbey, classic, God Save the King, rather formal tea house. It's in one of the original, large houses that sits to the west of Huntington Memorial Hospital.
The tea is served on Saturdays and Sundays, at 1:00pm and 4:00pm. You need to telephone or stop by to make a reservation. They also have a shop that is open M-Sat from 10:00am to 6:00pm, and from 12-noon to 5:00pm on Sundays. In the shop you'll all kinds of everything, all imported from England. They've got ladies and gentlemen's jackets that range from $85.00 up to over $450.00, all of which are on a Royal Warrant from The Crown. Umbrellas that could probably be used as a weapon. Books, magazines, teas, cookies, candies, double creams, clotted creams, scones, sticky toffee pudding, hot cross buns, and honestly, I could go on for a couple of paragraphs just on what is for sale in the shop.
The tea service. This is not a place where you show up in jeans and a sweatshirt, get a cup of tea and a scone, and you're out in 30-minutes. Not in the least. They don't mess around, as this is the Real McCoy (or should I say the Real Windsor). Men are required to wear a collared shirt, tie, and jacket. Ladies are required to wear a dress or skirt. Cameras are absolutely forbidden inside the establishment, and they are serious about it. While we were looking around in the gift shop prior to being seated, someone pulled out her phone, and the hostess quickly, sternly, yet politely told her to put the phone away.
Tea was served by the owner, Edmund, a British gentleman, and a really sweet lady who's name I sadly did not get. You start with some fresh fruit, crisps, an elderberry drink, and their own House Blend of tea. That tea was amazing, and yes, we bought a big bag to take home. Then you get a choice of two savories, each served in a Yorksire pudding: Roast beef/Wellington, Welsh Rarebit, Coronation Chicken, a shrimp and lobster combination, or Toad in the Hole. We each had the Wellington, and then I had the Rarebit, while my daughter had the Coronation Chicken. Good God Almighty that was good.
Then came the smoked salmon and cucumber finger sandwiches. Then came the amazing freshly made scones, with clotted cream and jam. Then came a white cake, covered in clotted cream, topped with fresh berries, served in an edible chocolate cup. Then came a small slice of sticky toffee pudding, and a macaroon, and a shortbread cookie. Then came what I'm guessing was a palate cleanser - a lemon flavored piece of chewy gummy candy. Everything they serve is either made on site, or imported for England.
It was a bit pricy, at $85.00 per person, plus the tip. You're paying for some amazing food, incredible service, in a fantastic setting. It was, in my opinion, absolutely and totally worth every penny.
Sir Edmund, we will be back.