Simpson & Vail, Brookfield, CT

Visited: March, 2009.  Meal: Retail only. Type of tea: Loose leaf and teabags. Served: n/a.
Tea: Good.  Food: n/a.  Service: Fair.  Appearance: Fair.
Comments: Smelled of coffee and some kind of herbs, not like tea. That is a big turn-off at a tea store. The lady was very pushy to get me to buy something. Tea comes in a bag that is not good for storage so unless you have something at home to store it in you have to buy something extra. They did have a lot of nice gift things, and the outside area is pretty. The teas I bought were good when I brewed them at home. 
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Helene 10/08  Add your review

Visited: September, 2008.  Meal: Retail only. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: n/a.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: n/a.  Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: Owners were welcoming, knowledgeable. The selection of teas and coffees is wide and excellent.
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Helene 10/08  Add your review

Visited: January, 2008.  Meal: Retail only. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: n/a.
Tea: ?.  Food: n/a.  Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: The staff is very friendly and helpful. There are MANY types of teas available, most with good descriptions. The staff is very willing to mix up a tea blend from your suggestion.
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Barbara Uziel 3/08  Add your review 

Tea Roses Tea Room, Cromwell, CT

Visited: June, 2011.  Meal: Cream tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent.  Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: I stopped by Peggi's tea room for a large glass of Red Velvet ice tea. I ordered the gourmet cheese platter with a scone. It was delicious and so well presented. I always love coming here for tea; Peggi greets everyone with a smile, and is so gracious. It was a lovely respite in my busy week, I was on my way to do errands and said I am going to the tea room for some down time. I felt relaxed and refreshed when I came out. A perfect remedy at the end of the day!
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Carole H. King, Tea Lady 6/11  Add your review 

Savvy Tea Gourmet, Madison, CT

Visited: January, 2011.  Meal: Dessert tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent.  Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: Savvy Tea is a great place to enjoy a high quality cup of tea, whether it be green, white, black, herbal infusion, or rooibos. The owner, Phil, can tell me exactly where each of the teas come from, what to look for when I taste them and why they are unique. He has gone to the tea fields in Japan and I believe China as well and selected his favorites. The more you love tea, the better the place is for you. The sweets are also high quality. We just moved to Madison from New York City and it is a nicer place to enjoy tea than the tea salons I have visited there.
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Steve Gulla 1/11  Add your review

Visited: December, 2010.  Meal: Other. Type of tea: Teabags. Served: In a mug.
Tea: Fair.  Food: Excellent.  Service: Good.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: Met here with a large family party for tea-and-whatever on a Sunday - in time for elevenses. Server was delightful, but a tad scattered - perhaps due to the largish party? Food came out at long intervals, a cake here, a salad there, and a sandwich eventually. I'd been anticipating a nice pot of tea - I got a mug (no refills or even a reheating). They "washed" the tea to decaffeinate it and succeeded in removing the flavor (won't make that mistake again!). [*An important note from TeaGuide: This "washing" method to remove caffeine -- steeping tea for about 45 seconds, pouring out the water, then re-steeping the same tea leaves -- is an urban legend. Simply put: it does not work. In fact it takes about fifteen (15) minutes of "rinsing" or infusing to remove any significant amount of caffeine from tea -- and of course this would remove any flavour and aroma at the same time. True tea (Camellia sinensis) contains caffeine, and removing it -- as with removing the caffeine from coffee -- is a complicated process. Think about it: If all it took were a quick and easy wash to decaf tea, why would tea companies go to the trouble and expense of processing tea to decaf it? The fact is that the only reliable decaf processes are the water or chemical processes employed by tea manufacturers. If you can tolerate a small percentage (about 5%) of caffeine, drink a tea that has been decaffed at manufacture; these should be listed on a tea menu specifically as decaffeinated teas, and may be further identified as to whether decaffeination was by the chemical or water process. If you cannot tolerate any caffeine, you will need to avoid true tea and instead choose an herbal infusion that does not contain caffeine. If you would like additional information on this topic, a decaffeination chart is posted in the Teamail message archives, available for viewing by group members.] My English Breakfast tea arrived pale, weak, and barely above room temperature. By the time my excellent sandwich arrived, the tea was stone-cold. All told, I spent about almost $35 (including 20% tip) for two sandwiches, a sad mug of tea, a hot cocoa (which I was told was "okay/ordinary"), and two pastries.
Would you go back? Maybe.
Reviewer: Merry_book 12/10  Add your review

Sweet Harmony Cafe and Bakery, Middletown, CT

Visited: May, 2008.  Meal: Lunch. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a mug.
Tea: Poor.  Food: Good.  Service: Poor.  Appearance: Fair.
Comments: Not what I expected. The tea selection was larger than a diner ... that is about all I can say. It was very limited. The tea they had was good though. They did not have "teacups". The big lug of mugs they served us in were too heavy for my daughter. Instead of bringing her a teacup they brought her a plain mug. They served my daughter boxed (I asked the waitress if it was homemade and she said kraft) mac and cheese. It came with a side of fruit ... half a sliced banana. We wanted scones and such ... they did not have them. We ordered dessert. Nearly a half hour later the waitress came back, told us she got side tracked and asked if we still wanted it. She brought the drinks cold and then, finally, the cake. It was very good I must admit, but over all the experience was bad. I would not call it a tea room. More of a place to eat that has a slightly larger than normal selection of tea.
Would you go back? Sorry, no.
Reviewer: Not impressed 5/08  Add your review     

Mrs. Bridge's Pantry, South Woodstock, CT
(Formerly in Putnam)

Under new ownership as of September 2008; these reviews reflect the former ownership

Visited: May, 2008.  Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Teabags. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Good.  Food: Poor.  Service: Poor.  Appearance: Average.
Comments: I saw several promising reviews here and was quite excited to go. Unfortunately the food and service were  very disappointing - while the teashop had only two other tables of patrons it took over 15 minutes for our server to take our order and even longer for the food to be served. The tea sandwiches were dry and flavorless and the pastries stale.
Would you go back? Sorry, no.
Reviewer: Hattie 6/08 Add your review   

Visited: October, 2004.  Reviewed: November, 2004.
Meal: No meal. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: n/a.  Service: Good.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: When I think of owning my own tea shop, I think of this shop. It was so cute, quaint, and welcoming. It was not too fancy and not too casual. Just right with a general store, local treasure feel. The best next to Tea and Sympathy!
Reviewer: Kelly Light Add your review   

Visited: Before 2001.  Reviewed: July, 2004.
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent.  Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: Cozy and authentic are the words that best describe this tea room and British shoppe. Hidden in an old town in northern Connecticut, minutes from the Rhode Island border, make it a true treasure. The brewed tea offerings are extensive. The food items that we've sampled include fresh and tasty sandwiches, hearty savories (meat, chicken, and veg. pies), flavorful scones, and delicious desserts. The menu includes hard to find treats such as Battenburg cake and English style puddings. The service is prompt and professional. I highly recommend a visit to this tea room for a true English afternoon tea experience!
Reviewer: Don from Chicago Add your review   

Visited: July, 2003
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent.  Service: Good.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: I have been here several times, either alone or with my family. We all love Mrs. Bridge's! The food is very good, the tea selection wonderful, and the people that work there are kind and very pleasant. The Price of Wales tea is my favorite, and I bring a bag back to Los Angeles with me whenever I get home to visit. If you want an unassuming and relaxing little place to sit and ponder life, reflect, or just sit with a friend or family and enjoy a civilized ritual, this is the place in Connecticut to do it.
Reviewer: Kathy Add your review   

Visited: March, 2002
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose and teabags. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Good.  Food: Good.  Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Good.
Comments: My twin sister Pam and I had an early lunch and tea at Mrs. Bridge's. It was our second time for tea and first for lunch. We had the ploughman's luncheon (typical in London, cheese, fruit, bread and tea). The ambiance was delightful as were the tea and food. We also had scones and jam. The family at the next table come often and raved about the desserts so we just had to sample those too. The whole experience was nostalgic of our recent trip in 2001 to London. My compliments to all at Mrs. Bridge's Tea Room in Putnam, CT.
Reviewer: Pat Siegmund Add your review   

Visited: January, 2002
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Good.  Food: Good.  Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Good.
Comments: This unpretentious tea room is located within a shop featuring British teas, foods, gifts, jewelry, and antiques. The menu features such things as elevenses, ploughman's, scones with clotted cream and jelly, at very reasonable prices. The tea was served loose in the pot with hot water available to be added as desired. Little floral bachelor cozies covered the individual two-cup tea pots. I enjoyed the very casual atmosphere, the unhurried feeling, the accommodating hostess, and the shopping. Putnam is a little town with many antique shops. Before or after shopping, Mrs. Bridges' Pantry provides a simple place to sit, relax, and enjoy the company of good friends. 
Reviewer: Nancy Add your review 

The Catnip Mouse Tearoom, Riverton, CT

Visited: August, 2009.  Meal: Other. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: Taking my mother-in-law out for a surprise lunch, this place turned out to be the perfect place. Coming from Hartford, the ride there was picturesque and very easy to find. The tea was perfect & the food was deliciouse, although quite substantial. We chose the soup and 1/2 sandwich and still brought home doggey bags. The only difficulty was the accessiblility into the tea room. It is not handicap accessible, and the walk up along with the steps and narrow door openings, made it a challenge. Biggest surprise - they DO NOT take CHARGE CARDS (cash only)! They also have no take out, both lunch and desserts. We were full from lunch and would have liked to take home some dessert. Still we definetly will go back.
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: JACKIE  8/09  Add your review   

Visited: October, 2007.  Meal: Other. Type of tea: Loose leaf and teabags. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Good.  Food: Excellent. Service: Good.  Appearance: Good.
Comments: The sandwiches were out of this world! I had the "very yammy" sandwich which was fresh turkey, with a yam spread (mashed fresh yams), and a cream cheese spread with walnuts and grilled pineapple all on grilled thick sliced bread. I had a half sandwich (which was so large, I had to cut IT in half) along with butternut squash soup. Delicious! My friend had the roast beef sandwich that she raved about as well. We shared a pot of pumpkin spice tea that was very good. The atmosphere was very nice, cozy, but comfortable. The service was friendly and accomodating. We definitely have plans to return to try their desserts and another type of tea soon!
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Ellen 10/7 Add your review    

Chaiwalla, Salisbury, CT

Visited: September, 2004.  Reviewed: July, 2005.
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: I visit regularly (twice a year) from mid-state New York, and have never been disappointed. Excellent food and tea. Last year I left my jacket and the owners mailed it to me, stating that I did not need to pay the postage. I did anyway because they were so gracious. I plan to visit in a week or so. 
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Joyce from MIddletown, NY Add your review   

Visited: September, 2004.  Reviewed: October, 2004.
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: I go to Chaiwalla regularly to enjoy the drive, ambiance, informal and cozy atmosphere, energetic hostess: Mary'O Brien! Great selection of teas. Consistent excellent quality! Don't forget to have the outrageously yummy, moist Whisky cake (yeah, you read it right).
Reviewer: Devinder Add your review   

To review a tea room or tea shop you've visited, click here.

To browse or search TeaGuide™, click here.