Sherman T.
Yelp
GuaranTEA'd to have a fun time!
Tucked in the heart of the old town, Niles, in Fremont, you'll find this quaint little tea house showcasing some of the most fine tea sets while serving a fun high tea experience.
Located just across the old railroad parking lot which typically has an abundance of spots and is free to the public, you'll find Tyme for Tea. Enter and walk past the beautiful display of teapots, cups, dishes, and other ceramic goodies and you'll find the dining area. You'll need reservations so be sure to call ahead.
Once you're checked in, you'll be seated in the dining room filled with decorations (we went during the month of October and this place was decked out with spooky Halloween props). Soak in the atmosphere as you peruse through the menu.
The menu is quite simple. There are three sets: the one with the champagne, the one with the scone, and the lighter one with fruit. For most, you'll likely get the one with the scone, AKA the "Victorian".
Each set comes with a choice of tea which will have its options fully outlined within the menu (there is a whole page dedicated to the different tea choices). Your choice of tea will depend on your flavor preference. There are caffeinated and decaffeinated options but naturally, there are more choices with the caffeinated teas. Depending on the flavor profile you're going for, you can choose something dark like an English Breakfast or Earl Grey, perhaps a tea with fruity notes, and even some that smell like chocolate. Whatever you choose, you'll get a whole pot of it which should amount to about 4-5 full cups.
Also coming with each set are the sandwiches and pastries. Our meal included cucumber sandwiches, tuna sandwiches, a cheesy bread, a cheesy shell, and an artichoke swirl pastry. It was a good mix of hot and cold snacks which all amounted to a pretty decent lunch. Even if it doesn't, you will still get a good fill from the tea and the pleasant time you share in the tea house.
TEA
English breakfast - classic tea with a dark strong flavor.
Belgian chocolate - chocolatey aroma was interesting! Never have I ever had a tea that smelled like chocolate.
Honey jackfruit - fruity and refreshing. A bit too sweet for me.
APPETIZER
Scone with crème fraîche, raspberry preserves, and lemon curd - this was fun and worth the upgrade to Victorian. Each sauce was delicious and paired well with the warm, fluffy scone.
ENTREE
Cucumber sandwich - refreshing with sliced cucumbers encased in sliced white bread.
Tuna sandwich - hearty tuna salad encased in sliced wheat bread.
Artichoke swirl - nice crisp to the one bite morsel and packed with flavor. Should be eaten while it's warm!
Cheese bread - melty cheese on bread should definitely be eaten soon after serving!
Cheesy spinach shell - good bite sized crisp filled with cheese and spinach mixture. Again, eat while it's warm!
DESSERT
Cheesecake - decadent and smooth topped with crushed nuts. Delicious!
Shortbread cookie - big, crispy on the edges and moist on the inside.
Cake bites - assorted and very cute! Strawberry shortcake, carrot cake, chocolate, and black forest were among the choices.
Overall, this was a fun experience. Pricey but worth the experience. My advice is to come in with the expectations of an experience and possibly a full stomach.