04/27/09

Below Average Tea House

by Suzipotts

People who think this is the best tea house in LA don't know anything. Firstly you had better like Raspberry Tea as it is the house blend and all that's offered, secondly you need to go with the menu offered for the day if not, tough! Don't be late as you will be yelled at and humiliated in font of other patrons! If you expect more than 1 teapot of tea forget it there are no refills and if you want service maybe you will get some maybe you won't..read the reviews on teamap and you will see the general thoughts. Chipped china, dirty napkins. Don't waste your $$ going here many more much better places in Pasadena,

• Pros: Serve High Tea
• Cons: Expensive, only serve 1 tea and 1 meal selection and DON'T B

11/21/08

Not a Good Tea House

by HighTeajunkie

If you have money to burn I still wouldn't go here.

We were 5 minutes late arriving due to my friend being on crutches and we were yelled out for being late..YES YELLED AT!! 3 of us were seated at a table big enough for 2, we had no choice on the menu, my husband needed to use the restroom and the gentleman butler mumbled something about going before he arrived. They didn't even offer water until we waited 20 minutes. The service is pretentious, when the food came it was nothing special, the sandwiches were dry and the bread tasted stale. Scones looked and tasted like the ones you buy at Starbucks, the waiter (older man and the owner) kept telling us to look at all the "wonderful goodies we have for sale" in general this was a bad experience and we felt absolutely cheated on the price. For those who think this is the best teas house in the world haven't experienced the real deal, including the review by the citymap editor. They must have gone out of their way to impress you because as we were leaving 3 other couples were also complaining.

Don't waste your time or money going here their are so many better places around Pasadena like the Scarlett Tea Room or go out to Woodland Hills in the Valley to the High Tea Cottage.

• Pros: None
• Cons: Rude, unaccomodating, stale food and bad service

Enjoy what is perhaps L.A.'s most authentic afternoon tea experience in the majesty of a historic Pasadena mansion.

by Mar Yvette

Though it's no longer located in its former cozy cottage (hence the name), this rose-covered teahouse has maintained its intimate charm. Held in a pillared mansion on a tree-lined street of historic Pasadena, the space has a way of transporting you to a place and time full of romance and whimsy. Upon arriving, you'll be greeted by none other than native Brits (and owners) Edmund and Mary Fry. As you stroll by displays of imported bone china, racks of Barbour outerwear (a favorite of the royal family), as well as shelves of tea books and tempting baked goodies. Take your tea in the sunny parlor dressed in floral decor, the quiet sun room over looking the garden, the peaceful side porch, or come spring, the lush garden with views of the San Gabriel mountains. Take in the wafting scent of traditional tea while you are served delicate finger sandwiches, fresh-baked scones with real Devonshire cream and preserves, and the homemade Rose Tree Cottage shortbread. The large space also has two private rooms upstairs which occasionally play host to famous guests like Prince Charles and the Duchess of York.

03/29/08

Unique, Lovely, and Tasty (Book a week ahead and bring cash--no credit cards accepted!)

by Kristin1164

I have been to tea at a number of places in the LA area, but Rose Tree Cottage is by far the best. Not only is the homemade food (scones and clotted cream and jams, oh my!) to die for, but the atmosphere is so overwhelmingly British that I felt transported back to England. This is the most authentic British tea you will find in Los Angeles.

I did not meet Mary, but Edmund was a complete gentleman, and the rest of the staff were wonderfully accommodating. I think the earlier reviewer might have a better understanding of why booking 11 people might be a problem had she ever been to Rose Tree--it's a tiny place, and 11 would effectively shut them down. I'm sorry that she had a bad experience attempting to make the booking, but I encourage others not to judge this lovely place based on that one experience.

Some things to know: they book up fast. The begin taking regular reservations a week in advance, and I recommend making them. Since they are so good and so small, they seldom have last minute openings. Also, bring cash! More than one guest (including me!) had to trek across the street to the grocery store ATM in order to pay when we learned that they did not accept credit or debit cards. You should also dress nicely--not your Sunday best, but not ripped jeans and a t-shirt, either. This is a very proper English tea, and dressing up a little will make you feel much more at home with everyone else.

Overall, I highly recommend Rose Tree Cottage for small groups (2 or 3 people, ideally) who want a very special experience. I couldn't afford to do it every week (Sunday tea ran us about $35 each), but it's a wonderful treat from time to time.

• Pros: the incredible food, the staff, the ambiance
• Cons: they book up fast and only take cash

02/20/08

Rude and unaccommodating

by tashikitten

I would have loved to try afternoon tea at Rose Tree Cottage, especially because I'd read it was one of the top 7 afternoon teas in Los Angeles. I called on Sunday, February 16th, to make a reservation for a party of 11 on Sunday, March 16th. I spoke to a woman and I was told that a group of that size would be considered a "party" and that I would have to speak to Mary and that she wouldn't be in until Wednesday. I was mystified why someone would be able to make reservations for 2 people, but not for 11, but I thanked her and hung up. I called back today and spoke to a man who told me that reservations are made a month in advance and I said I called Sunday, which was a month in advance, and was told to call back today. He told me that I would need to speak to Mary, but that she would not be in until Monday as her father is ill. I am very sorry to hear this and hope everything goes well for her, but her staff are not very helpful in her absence. Then, he asked, "Has anyone in your party been to the Rose Tree Cottage?" Innocently, I said, "No." He said, "Oh, we require that at least one member of the party have tea here beforehand to make sure they like it." My jaw dropped and I said, "Really? Well, that would have been very helpful information to have when I first called on Sunday." Oh, how I wish the Regent Beverly Wilshire would start doing afternoon tea again. The upshot is that I will probably never try afternoon tea at the Rose Tree Cottage because they are incompentent and unwelcoming.

• Pros: None
• Cons: Rude, completely incompetent staff

01/26/06

User review by nguyensarah25

by nguyensarah25

I love the scones and the tea w/milk & sugar is good too... I can go through 10 cups of tea w/out even knowing that I drank that much. If you love their scones and tea as much as I do and live far, they do sell it in their small shop. Edmund and his wife Mary are just great people!

• Pros: great service, good food
• Cons: limited parking