Olde English Tea Room & Gift

Doesn't Recommend

Amy C.

Joined 1 year ago

got riped off for a 7 year olds birthday party. I am extremely disappointed with the experience I had today with my daughters birthday party. First, I asked a few days ago, the owner, about a party and what all is involved and she told me to read it online. I said that I did, but just wanted to know a little more and she was very vague. So I let that go and my daughter really wanted to have her party at the Tea Room. I booked the party, 5 girls and it was going to be $10 each. I was fine with that until..... We get there, there's no napkins on the table for the girls. The waiter just kind of waited around for me to get things started. I asked, again, what was included in the party and $10 for each girl. He told me lemonade, finger sandwiches and a cupcake for each girl. Okay fine. Here comes the sandwiches, did not ask what kind they wanted, just brought out half a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for each girl. Yes, half!!! Then the girls were still hungry and I asked the waiter if that's all they get and he said that he could make some more. I asked the girls what they wanted and they all agreed on cream cheese and cucumber. The guy brought those out and the girls were happy. Then came the cupcakes, all with candles, which were very cute. Then my daughter wanted some more lemonade and poured herself some more from the pitcher that was on the table and the owner yells "there's a little girl pouring her own lemonade from a glass pitcher" really??? She was the rudest women, but yet never approached us. So then comes the bill, $10 per girl and then a $4 charge for 1 creamcheese and cucumber sandwich cut in 4 pieces. I was outraged at this point and just wanted to get out of there.

I would not recommend this place for a party. Maybe for lunch but not a party.

Recommends

WakeForestian

Joined 2 years ago

Absolutely delightful!. It's our favorite spot in Wake Forest to sit and enjoy company. Great selection of teas. Try the white pomegranate and the ginger peach!

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JessicaRH

Joined 3 years ago

Perfect place for a mother/daughter outing.. My daughter and I love the tea room and often bring Grandma with us too! Their chicken and rice soup is delicious and their cakes are wonderful. My daughter loves the dress up box and the whole experience of putting the sugar cubes in our tea cups. She loves the raspberry tea but if your daughter doesn't like hot tea they also have pink lemonade. Everyone there has been reallly nice to us everytime we've gone there.

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kassi

Joined 7 years ago

Wonderful variety. An excellent selection of loose-leaf teas accompanies a traditional afternoon tea service and small additional menu. Be warned, the food is extremely rich! The scones and small desserts in an afternoon tea service can be overwhelming, though the tastiness of the offerings often lures me into eating more than is wise. In the summer they had a delicious cold strawberry soup that delighted my palate.

The gift shop downstairs is nice but I'm enamored of the variety of tea accoutrements they offer upstairs -- many beautiful patterns of tea services, infusers, gifts, books, and even these elusive drip-guards that hook over a teapot lid and hold it on as well as catch drips from the spout. A box full of beautiful vintage hats at the top of the stairs always catches my eye.

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fireflyflame

Joined 6 years ago

"Little girls, little girls, everywhere I turn, I can see them...". A very pretty dining area, though cramped (people kept bumping my chair), and a similarly cramped gift shop in the basement (beware the trecherous stairway - I slipped and fell, but caught myself before too much damage was done).

The place was so noisy that even sitting at a small table, we had to yell to hear each other. Yes, they welcome children. Which is great if you plan to bring children. I have two little girls, so I know it's wonderful to find family-friendly places. But if you want to leave the little girls at home & have "adult time" this isn't the place. At least, not on a Saturday.

The afternoon tea was four finger sandwiches (1/4-sandwich each of cucumber and cream cheese, egg salad, tuna and children salad) one scone, tea and cookies, for $12.00 a person. Or you can choose from a menu of sandwiches, shepherd pie, chicken divan, desserts, scones, muffins, coffee & of course tea. At V's Teas & Treasures in Raleigh - which has much better lemonade & serves lemon curd - everyone HAS to get the high tea for $20 a person. So we appreciated having the various menu (& budget) options here.

Most of the employees were incredible nice. Our server, however, while attentive and efficient, was very cold & brusque. Example: "I'm going to tell you all the scone flavors now," she says, "cranberry chocolate chip butterscotch walnut and plain." So, I ask, is that butterscotch - comma - walnut, or is that butterscotch AND walnut? And she gave me a look like I was a pile of dirty socks.

I know it sounds like I didn't enjoy myself, I actually did. Yes, I would like to go back & take my little girls for tea and dessert. No, I would not return with a group of adults to have afternoon tea. Also, be aware that all of the lovely little gift shops & galleries along the street close at 4 or 5 in the afternoon, even on Saturday.

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kelliblackmon

Joined 6 years ago

Wonderful! Absolutely Wonderful!. I want to clarify the comment that this is not a good place for kids - IT IS - so long as your child is into "tea parties". They have hats and scarves and beads and gloves for the little darlings to play dress up with and they even have PB&J on the menu. It is definitely a place to start introducing your daughter (or son) to the finer aspects of "manners" and "proper" tea. My daughters are 3 (I have twins) and 7 (only 1) and they love it love it love it! It is a time for mommy and them to go be GIRLS! And I love seeing my normally heathen children actually acting like ladies.

IT's nice! As a realtor, I find it is a wonderful place for a lunch meeting or to entertain clients. Highly highly highly recommend!!!! (Can you tell that I can't say enough nice things about this place?)

Go, relax, sit back, and be pampered!

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Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Editorial Review by Citysearch Editors. British-style tea house offers more than 20 tea varieties, lunch items, desserts and coffee in cozy room with classical music.

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leahelizabeth

Joined 10 years ago

perfect place to visit. the tea room may not have a wide selection of entrees- but all are prepared fresh and served with a smile. the atmosphere is so sweet and it is the perfect place to bring visiting friends, family, or anyone else that you want to be able to just take tea with and talk. come for lunch just after the rush and you can sit and enjoy the ambience all day with a gracious staff, a gift shop downstairs and a Delicious dessert menu- the tea room is the perfect place for a social meal or a great place to just take a few minutes to sit and enjoy the classical music with a scone and tea or coffee.