Tudor House

08/29/11

Authentic British cuisine!

by The LA Gourmet at Citysearch

The self proclaimed “British center of Southern California”, Tudor House has been serving and selling cross-Atlantic favorites for over 40 years. It is a tea room, gift shop, and specialty store all rolled into one. The Tudor House store offers a wide array of imported biscuits, teas, candies, and curries. It also sells British home goods such as teaware, china, and miscellaneous chotchkies. We must admit that the imported items at Tudor House are a bit expensive (because of the exchange rate). However, most Brits are more than willing to pay the price for a little taste of home.

Of all the offerings at Tudor House, we were most impressed by the home-made pastries. The display case at the front counter is filled with everything from Mini Almond Tarts and Raison Scones to almost one dozen kinds of savory meat pies. Because they’re made in-house, the pies are also very affordable. If you’re planning a British themed party or afternoon tea, also be sure to check out their full catering menu.

@thelagourmet

01/20/11

High tea anyone

by abklynrose at Citysearch

I've been to the shop and the restaurant. Its a lovely afternoon's lady tea with your Mom or friend. The service was lovely and its a definite stop for me while in Santa Monica.

12/19/10

Terrible service

by Moviefangirl at Citysearch

I'm not going to review the restaurant side of the business, as I've never eaten there before, but I've been to the market on two occasions, and I'm not planning on coming back. The first time, I wandered around the shop for a few minutes with a bottle of mineral water because there was no one to ring me up. Finally a man came out of the back and sat down on a stool with a magazine, and wouldn't even look up at me, just told me the total for my mineral water without making sure I didn't want anything else. I ordered a lamb vindaloo pie and paid, then when I left and started eating the pie, I realised it was stone cold.

The second time, I went in with my sister's boyfriend while she went shopping for presents for us with my mom. We walked in and stood there at the counter while five different people walked past the door into the back...every single one of them looked right at us...and not one of them felt the need to come out and tell us they were closed for a private party, until an older woman finally came out and explained that to us.

Definitely not coming back, I'm sticking with The British Shoppe. They might not have as much selection as Tudor House, but they have much better service and friendlier workers.

11/24/07

Take your wife to tea!

by marpop at Citysearch

This place is great for couples. All you men out there - take your lady out for a nice authentic English tea - you will score big points, and you might actually enjoy yourself. I know my husband had no problem cleaning his plate. We get scones with Devonshire cream and jam, and of course they service you the finger sandwiches with cucumber and cream cheese. We each got our own teapot - vanilla and jasmine! Beware of crowds though, because if the place is jammed, you may be in for a bit of a wait for a table. But once you are seated the service is great.

• Pros: unique, fun
• Cons: crowds

11/18/06

Fun English Tea experience

by rudette at Citysearch

I've been here a few times and can definitely recommend it as a place to experience an authentic English tea. The sandwiches, especially the salmon and cream cheese, are very good. I would NOT recommend ordering anything hot, as those dishes taste like they were (poorly) prepared in England, frozen, sent here, then re-heated in the microwave. I have no idea if that's what actually happens, but that's what it tastes like. Their teas are of course excellent, I especially recommend PG Tips, which you must add sugar and milk to in order to thoroughly enjoy. The attached bakery and grocery has interesting and reasonably priced goods from England (including boxes of PG Tips tea!).