Garden Gate - A Tea Room, Acton, ME

Visited: August, 2007.  Reviewed: August, 2007.
Meal: Afternoon tea.  Type of tea: Loose leaf.  Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent.  Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: My adult daughters were all visiting for a family vacation with us in Maine and I thought it would be fun to have a "girls day out"- Dad & husbands watched the kids & we ventured to a quaint cottage surrounded by beautiful gardens in Acton, Me. There are picture hats to wear (if you want) and wonderful china/silver table settings. The tea (English Breakfast/Earl Grey we chose) was excellent, but the tea sandwiches, scones (best I've ever tasted) & desserts were wonderful! Mari even decorates with edible flowers & I ventured to sup on a lovey day lily filled with a amaretto creme- yum. I would recommend this tearoom to anyone- the selection & tastes are delicious. Since one dgt. & I just had tea at the Four Seasons in Boston (Mom's Christmas present) I would rate the tea, tastes & treats even higher. A very pleasant escape in the countryside of Maine!
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Elaine  Add your review  

Jordan Pond House, Bar Harbor, ME

Visited: August, 2005.  Reviewed: September, 2005.
Meal: Afternoon tea.  Type of tea: Teabags.  Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent.  Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Good.
Comments: This is the only time in this country we have ever been served tea with an accompanying pot of hot water! Popovers were fresh and hot from the oven.
Would you go back? Hope so, but we don't live nearby.
Reviewer: Alain and Lynne  Add your review  Keep reading for another review of this tea room.

Visited: June, 2005.  Reviewed: July, 2005.
Meal: Afternoon tea.  Type of tea: Teabags.  Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Poor.  Food: Fair.  Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: This place is really not a tea house at all. The tea is awful, unacceptable and offensive. Certainly to be avoided at all costs! The view and location are great ... so pack a lunch and take a walk around Jordan Pond and you will be far ahead. Life is too short for bad tea.
Would you go back? Sorry, no.
Reviewer: Jack Young  Add your review   

MacNab's Tea Room, Boothbay, ME

Visited: August, 2007.  Reviewed: August, 2007.
Meal: Cream tea.  Type of tea served: Loose leaf.  Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent.  Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: Our whole experience at Mac Nabs was outstanding! The Tea House was charming and the English Gardens were abundant and at their summer peak. The two Ladies were charming and very interested in teaching us all we wanted to know about tea and its accoutrements. They are obviously very knowledgeable and wet our appetites to learn more. The food was superb. The scones were warm and very buttery and the lemon curd was rich, smooth and tart. I tried the Earl Gray Crème’ tea. Delicious. I felt like I was in Beatrix Potter’s home having tea! Antiques everywhere, a lake outside the door, and even a little Scottie Dog to great us. PERFECT !!
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: The Labbe' Family  Add your review   

Visited: October, 2003.  Reviewed: September, 2004.
Meal: Afternoon tea.  Type of tea served: Loose leaf and teabags.  Served: In a gaiwan.
Tea: Good.  Food: Poor.  Service: Poor.  Appearance: Poor.
Comments: My visit to McNab's was more than disappointing. The tea room was quite warm with minimal effort at ventilation. The staff was quite loud in the kitchen and I didn't miss a bit of their conversation! My scone with lemon curd spooned on top was good, but I  prefer to dollop my own curds and jams as I like just a little sweet. The sandwiches were unique -- e.g., Athena filo shells filled with baked beans. Many edible flowers/leaves were fixed into the sandwiches and strewn about the plate. Unfortunately, it appeared the insects nibbled them before I did! The ultimate was a cheesecake-square looking item that could be molded into whatever shape you wished. And for this I paid $25.00. 
Reviewer: Lizzy  Add your review   

Visited: September, 2001
Meal: Afternoon tea.  Type of tea served: Teabags.  Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent.  Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: A lovely old Cape's front parlour is given over to the tea room. Exposed hand hewn beams, painted wood floors, textured wallpaper and eclectic furniture make for a comfortably elegant atmosphere. The afternoon set tea was outstanding in terms of quality and variety. Savouries were unique with a Scottish twist (miniature salmon mousse tartlets, seafood sausage), and sweets were substantial but not overwhelming (blueberry scones with lemon curd, classic shortbread). We had the house blend tea and were not disappointed. Service was unobtrusive and accommodating. We look forward to our next visits.
Reviewer: G. L. Harmon, Jr.  Add your review 

Tea by the Sea, East Boothbay, ME

Visited: September, 2004.  Reviewed: September, 2004.
Meal: Special event. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: This tea room is a treat. Bright and cheerful, you sip your tea overlooking beautiful waters and bobbing sailboats. The food is expertly prepared and servings are appropriate -- as are the prices. The owner, Claudia, is smiling and attentive to her guests. Tea rooms were made for owners like Claudia.
I will certainly return to Tea By the Sea!
Reviewer: Lizzy Add your review  

Jacqueline's Tea Room, Freeport, ME

Visited: May, 2008.  Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: My sister and I enjoyed "low tea" this morning and couldn't have been more delighted with the welcome and our over-all experience. We were invited to choose a table out of 3 of the "shabby chic-like" decorated rooms, and were seated upon quaintly and comfortably cushioned chairs at the table of our choice. We obtained the most attentive service and were invited to choose as many as we liked from a variety of dozens of teas, which were served in our own lovely flowered teapots. Delicious and intricately made sandwiches and pastries were artistically placed along with dollops of lilac blossoms on large 3-tiered serving platters and served with aplomb upon the center of our table. Jacqueline and her help were welcoming and friendly, and we were encouraged to stay awhile to savor our time together. The entire experience far surpassed my expectations and was a refreshing morning well-spent!
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Deborah 5/08 Add your review 

Visited: May, 2008.  Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: Jaqueline's Tea Room not only offers a warm and inviting atmosphere but they have a wide selection of quality teas, delectable sandwiches and scrumptious sweets. I thoroughly enjoyed my afternoon tea and would highly recommend Jacqueline's Tea Room to anyone!
Would you go back? Hope so, but we don't live nearby.
Reviewer: Cheryl C  5/08 Add your review 

Visited: October, 2007.  Reviewed: October, 2007.
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: We were very impressed with the quality and attention to detail throughout. We especially enjoyed sampling a different leaf with each successive pot. We drink a LOT of tea in a sitting, and oftentimes it's discouraging to ask for pot after pot of hot water without any additional leaves to recharge the brew. Having a freshly steeped pot of a new leaf for each cup sets Jacqueline's apart from all the other tea rooms we've ever visited. My only suggestion for improvement  would be to expand the opening hours to another seating later in the day (3:00 to 5:00). 
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: G.L. Harmon, Jr Add your review 

Visited: December, 2005.  Reviewed: January, 2006.
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: Beautiful space, wonderful teas, superb service, yummy food - the entire afternoon was a total treat for my mother-in-law and myself prior to the holidays - relaxed and enjoyable!
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Karen Add your review 

Visited: November, 2005.  Reviewed: November, 2005.
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: Very peacefull and cozy atmosphere.
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: jls667 Add your review  

The Clipper Merchant's Tea House, Limerick, ME

Visited: March, 2008.  Meal: Lunch. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: WOW!!! These folks really know how to do it up right. The tea was great, the food hit the spot, and the service was among the best we have ever experienced. The decor was a perfect fit as well. We think it comes down to the attitude of the hosts. They enjoy what they were doing, so you become infected. It may be out of the way to get to, but it is well worth the trip. You will not be disappointed.
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Jacqueline & Jason from NH 3/08 Add your review  

Visited: February, 2008.  Meal: Lunch. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: One can scarce remember being in such a place, where the pleasure and treasure were the Victorian ambience of the establishment, the kindness and graciousness of the staff, as well as the specialness of life, and specialness of being. The kind and gracious service of this establishment and staff made one feel so happy and exceptionally special. The lavender ice tea, Darjeeling tea, Chai tea, tea sandwiches, the Cheese Vegetable Quiche, Chicken Salad Croissant, and Raspberry Cheese Cake, Chocolate lava Cake were tasty and wonderful onto its own!!! One is NEVER put in a situation where you need  to hurry to place your order for food, and hurry to get out. They will even brew coffee for you, if you so desire. I highly recommend finding the time to be there.
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: T. L. Barrows  2/08 Add your review  

Visited: October, 2007.  Reviewed: October, 2007.
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf and teabags. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: My husband and I found this relatively new (to Limerick) tea house when we were famished about 3 PM. Lovely surroundings, beautiful antique furnishings, Scottish theme in some rooms. Although not on menu, husband served excellent Oolong tea (loose) and my Assam equally good. Were offered hot water w/tea-a plus! Try the London Tower for 2: variety of sandwiches, scones w/lemon curd, dessert. Soup is OUTSTANDING!
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Tina and Phil Add your review  

The Tea Room at McLaughlin Gardens, South Paris, ME

Visited: August, 2001
Tea: Good.  Food: Excellent.  Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: Part of the McLaughlin Garden and Horticultural Centre, a property recently saved from development on the edge of downtown South Paris. Extensive gardens started in 1936 surround the farmhouse and barn. The tea room is located in an ell and an enclosed sun porch, giving it an airy, summery atmosphere. The menu contains a variety of sandwiches and desserts, including something called Concannon scones, which we were keen to sample. The tea, although bagged, was Harney & Sons, and was presented in a bright Fiestaware pot. The quality of the ingredients was obviously good, and the standard of presentation high. The scones were served warm with whipped (not clotted) cream and jam. A stroll around the garden afterwards, and a visit to the gift shop completed a lovely afternoon in the foothills of Oxford County. 
Reviewer: G. L. Harmon, Jr.  Add your review