Tea Reviews: Washington State

August Moon Teahouse, Bainbridge Island, WA 

Visited: May, 2008.  Meal: Asian tea ceremony. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: n/a. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: Visiting Bainbridge Island I came across "August Moon" quite by chance. What a wonderful experience it was! I found this Asian style teahouse to be a most delightful place. From among a wide variety of teas - black, oolong, green, white - and herbal tisanes I chose "Tai Mu Shan" which, as the gracious owner explained to me, is a China-certified green tea, an organic selection from Fujian Province. The tea was perfectly brewed, mellow and most enjoyable. My experience at this lovely Asian style teahouse was so wonderfully unique that I immediately recommended the place to my family and friends who live in Seattle and are only a ferryride away. Unfortunately I am not so fortunate.
Would you go back? Hope so, but we don't live nearby.
Reviewer: Elisabeth Hurley 5/08 Add your review   

Visited: August, 2007.  Meal: Dessert tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: Ironically enough, even though I currently live in China, I very much miss the extensive tea menu, light and tasty snacks, and great service at the August Moon Teahouse. It will definitely be one of my first stops once I get back home to Seattle.
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Erika 5/08 Add your review   

Visited: March, 2008.  Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: August Moon Teahouse is the best place to have a wonderful cup of tea, brewed just right, delicious desserts and food that is both healthy and very appetizing. The ambiance is beautiful and relaxing.
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Samia 5/08 Add your review   

Visited: August, 2007.  Meal: Lunch. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: We had a delightful and restful lunch with tea after a busy morning of sight-seeing and shopping. The lighting and ambiance of the establishment was perfect for the chicken curry, tea and assorted pastries and dumplings that made up our lunch. The owner was very helpful in recommending different teas with subtle yet noticable differences to compliment our lunch selections. We are sad that we live several hours away, or we would frequent August Moon for our daily ritual of afternoon tea.
Would you go back? Hope so, but we don't live nearby.
Reviewer: Darlene 5/08 Add your review   

Visited: April, 2008.  Meal: Lunch. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: Highly recommended. The food and tea are outstanding. The prices are great -- $3 - 9 for food with a good range from quiche to curried chicken w/ rice to apple tort, so it's not just fussy finger food. Although there is background music, it's just enough to take the edge off of nearby conversations. It's a serene place for a quiet chat, or just to hear yourself think, but not stuffy -- just relaxing. All ages seem to be comfortable there, too. And Alia (the owner) can pretty much answer any questions about tea. About a 10-15 stroll from the ferry.
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Martha 4/08 Add your review   

Visited: February, 2008.  Meal: Dessert tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: The atmosphere of August Moon was amazing - the moment you walk through the doors you are hit with an amazing smell, the ambience is tranquil - the tea wares drew the eyes to their shelves. The lighting, the staff, everyone and everything was so inviting. The teas and the service in which they were served was amazing - the sweets were delectable and the flavors were harmonious with teas - everything was perfect!
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: First time customers- life long tea lovers from Idaho 3/08 Add your review   

Visited: November, 2007.  Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: This teahouse is a gem. Casual and quiet, it's good for both long conversation with friends or a bit of solitude while reading the paper. It's comfortable and quiet but not stuffy. The tea selection is wonderful. Plus the food is fantastic -- something for everyone -- scones, salmon quiche, curried veggies, apple torte, cheesecake, etc. Food prices are very reasonable, too -- not the typical for the Island. And service is great. Check out the traditional Japanese table in the back where you can sit on pillows and tatami mats. In the summer, the patio in back is pleasant, too.
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Ada B. 12/7 Add your review   

Visited: November, 2007.  Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a mug.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: Wonderful ambience and a delightful selection of teas. The owner is very helpful in selecting the tea that will most delight you.
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Pat 10/7 Add your review   

Visited: August, 2007.  Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: Ambience is very beautiful, relaxing. It is definitely a refuge to go have a cup of tea made just right. The deserts are absolutely delicious and the menu includes international cuisine for vegetarians.
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Samia Panni 10/7 Add your review   

Visited: October, 2007.  Meal: Lunch. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: The tea house is located in a new building one block off of the main thoughrofare in Winslow, Bainbridge Island, it has great light and lovely veranda with a sea view, the food was fresh, tasty and unique with a great variety of tea from all over asia
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Will 10/7 Add your review   

The Secret Garden Gift Shop and Tea Room, Sumner, WA 
(Formerly in Bellevue)

Visited: April, 2008.  Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: I recently hosted a baby shower at the secret garden for 20 people. The owners were so kind and helpful with all the planning. We had the best time, the food is fantastic, the ambiance perfect and the service impeccable. Cant wait til I can bring my new niece here for her first tea. Thank you elizabeth!
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: mk 5/8 Add your review  

Visited: December, 2007.  Meal: Lunch. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Good.  Food: Fair. Service: Poor.  Appearance: Average.
Comments: The hostesses/owners were extrememly rude to our party. We had to wait excessively long and we had a  reservation and our table empty. We had to request several times to be seated but it didn't seem to help. They were very short and snippy so we finally had to be a little snippy back and with that finally got seated. Thank goodness we had a delightful waitress or we most likely would have walked out. Although I love tea, I will not return to this restaurant to support owners who really don't care about their customers or have any idea how to treat people with respect. I have worked in the service industry and I understand how challenging it can be especially over the holidays but that does not excuse their extremely poor behavior. If you feel you must go to this tea room, then only have two people in your party maximum and you should be able to have an ok visit.
Would you go back? Sorry, no.
Reviewer: Dis-satisfied customer 1/8 Add your review  

Visited: December, 2007.  Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Good. Service: Poor.  Appearance: Good.
Comments: I attended tea with my 2 children as well as my mother in Dec. About an hour into tea, we were asked to leave by the owner because she said my children were disruptive. My children were very well behaved and we actually had other tables stop by to comment on how well behaved they were. The owner was very rude and unprofessional.
Would you go back? Sorry, no.
Reviewer: j.mayhew 1/8 Add your review  

Visited: February, 2007.  Reviewed: March, 2007.
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: My friends and I waited months for this tea shop to reopen in its new location. Wow -- worth the wait! This was my first visit and I would have gone again the next day if that had been possible. The bottomless scone basket was just amazing. Our waitress actually baked our scones while we sat there, then offered to make us another batch when our basket was empty. We each had a second scone, superb soup, and a tea tray worth photographing. The food was excellent, and the extra special touches make this tea shop a one-of-a-kind. It's about time we got a good tea shop in So. King County.
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Ann in Kent Add your review  

Visited: August, 2006.  Reviewed: November, 2006.
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf and teabags. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: This was our second trip to the Secret Garden. We were celebrating a family birthday with the women only again. We enjoyed the Queen's Tea and the Princess' Tea depending on the ages of those enjoying the wonderful food. The staff was very helpful and courteous with our entire group. We are looking forward to going back now that they have move to Sumner and what looks to be a wonderful location, perfect for a teahouse.
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Trista Simmons Add your review  

Visited: January, 2006.  Reviewed: January, 2006.
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: The tea at the Secret Garden is very good. I went their with a group of friends for my birthday and we were all able to get different teas because they charge per person. There were lots of different things to snack on. We had sandwhiches, soup, scones, candis and fruits. After we ate I even got a little chocolate cake with a sparkler in it as a birthday treat from the resturant! The tea I drank was quite good I even bought some at the shop before I left. Our server was very kind and I very much injoyed the experience. I cannot wait for an excuse to go back! 
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Kass M. Add your review  

Visited: January, 2005.  Reviewed: January, 2005.
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Good.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: The tea room and adjoining shop are located in a shopping mall in the eastside suburbs of Seattle. The gift shop is actually a separate store next door, so you aren't having tea while people crowd around looking at gifts around you. The two storefronts are connected by a small garden area that extends just a bit into the mall; the garden provides a nice screen from the traffic of the mall.
Although this is a Victorian-style tearoom, it's not overly frilly or 
claustrophobically crowded. I found it comfortable and inviting, especially because there were normal sized tables and chairs with plenty of space between customers. I noticed there were men as well as women sipping tea.
The tea selection was solid, with representations from most types of 
tea (white tea included). Hot water refills for re-brewing the leaves were offered at regular intervals. It is, however, the food that impressed me most. All of the items on our tiered trays were made in-house, and all tasted great. We had scones, finger sandwiches, savory and sweet pastries, and a few candies. The scones were very nice, and made from scratch not a mix (I'm picky about scones). I’ve been back twice, trying soup and sandwiches – all excellent. 
In all of my visits, I’ve been allowed to chat away with friends and/or hubby for quite some time -- no pressure to leave, and an incredibly friendly staff. They made me feel pampered and special. I do recommend getting reservations. This is a popular place for Red Hat groups and special occasion parties, so tables can fill up quickly.
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Cindy W. Add your review 

Teavana, Bellevue, WA

Visited: October, 2007.  Reviewed: October, 2007.
Meal: Retail only. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: Retail shop sample from a hotpot.
Tea: Fair.  Food: n/a. Service: Poor.  Appearance: Good.
Comments: Rarely have I been treated so poorly in any type of retail establishment. Though the employees demonstrated a fair comprehension of their product their arrogant demeanor has dissuaded me from ever returning.
Would you go back? Sorry, no.
Reviewer: Dayuling Add your review

Visited: November, 2005.  Reviewed: December, 2005.
Meal: Just a cuppa. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: Retail shop sample from a hotpot.
Tea: Fair.  Food: n/a. Service: Poor.  Appearance: Good.
Comments: I was treated very poorly by the retail staff when I asked specific questions about the source, age, and quality of matcha and pu-erh teas offered. The staff was rude, pointing to me and gossiping while I was still in the store! The staff was less knowledgeable than their own sales brochure. They knew a little about tea but lorded over people as if they were masters. I overheard the staff telling one customer, "This tea is good for cancer!" It's all very hard-sell there. The tea is decent, most of it is overpriced, some of it is very overpriced (for the quality, at least). You can buy the exact teas from other places for much less money with much better service. They brew everything in a food-grade plastic "Perfect Tea Maker" and serve it in a cardboard cup. So sad. 
Would you go back? Sorry, no.
Reviewer: oolong Add your review 

Xiu Xian Tea, Bellevue, WA

Visited: July, 2009.  Meal: Asian tea ceremony. Type of tea: Chilled tea beverage. Served: In a take-out cup.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: n/a.  Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: Xiu Xian Tea is one the best stores I've been to, and it enriched my life immensely. I stayed there for over two hours, drinking tea and smoothies and chatting endlessly. I was disappointed when I had to leave, I was having so much fun! Mako, the kind lady who helped me, is very knowledgeable and caring, making sure that every customer has a wonderful time and she also makes each individual feel important. The tea itself was fantastic, and the cleanliness was impeccable. I had the best of times at this little hole in the wall that has the best stuff on earth, and I recommend it to anyone who has even the slightest interest in tea, because when you do go there, you will feel like a scholar when you leave. There is no competition- Xiu Xian Tea is the best. It is well named, too- "Xiu Xian", meaning relaxed, is the definition of my experience and every other single person's who goes here. If you want to have fun, go to Xiu Xian Tea!
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: kirianvall  7/09  Add your review    

Abbey Garden Tea Room, Bellingham, WA

Visited: January, 2008.  Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent.  Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: I love the Abbey Tea Room and have been going every Friday afternoon for about 7 years. The service is always excellent and the food is wonderful, as it's all made fresh right there. I don't know how they make their scones but they are the best ever! It's a great way to spend time with a good friend, chatting and tea.
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Dawn 1/8  Add your review  

Visited: January, 2007.  Reviewed: March, 2007.
Meal: Lunch. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent.  Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: The Abbey Garden is a weekly lunch treat for us. The teas, home-made soups, tea sandwiches and desserts are well-flavored and simply lovely (try the chicken curry sandwich!), and they also serve marvelously savory sausage rolls, quiche, and Cornish pasties. This is one of the most charming, yet male-friendly, tearooms I've ever visited. My 75-year-old father and my 39-year-old housemate agree it's not at all "foofy". And the chairs are comfy!
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Hillary & Tom  Add your review   

Visited: July, 2004.  Reviewed: September, 2004.
Meal: Lunch. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent.  Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: There's a special magic that some places emanate. You can compare two tearooms and find find them equally beautiful, the food equally delicious, and they will still not offer equivalent experiences. Abbey Garden is one of those magical places. And there's more to look forward to: the owners were in the process of building an elegant new establishment right next door, so I'll be anxious to visit their new location this winter. If you love tea and are in Bellingham, make a visit to Abbey Garden a priority!
Reviewer: Sherilyn Wells  Add your review   

Visited: July, 2003
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent.  Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: Three of us went in for afternoon tea. We really enjoyed sitting upstairs. It reminded me of my grandmother's house. It was clean with a comfortable assortment of furniture. Each of us ordered something different. Every one of us was delighted with our choice. The Cornish pasty melted in your mouth, the salmon chowder was thick and flavorful, and the scones were the best I'd ever had. We had intended to share one, but we ended up each ordering our own. The service was great! I will be going back every time I'm in town. I'm looking forward to ordering their high [sic] tea next time.
Reviewer: Gail Meredith  Add your review   

Visited: May, 2002
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Good.  Food: Excellent.  Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: This tea room is such a beautiful retreat. It is in an upstairs room with antique building type charm. The food is very good and the options for food configuration made it flexible for our varied guests. The scones are truly the best I have ever had! When combined with the raspberry and cream they are unbelievably good. I go back sometimes just for those. If you make it up to Bellingham, try this tea room and enjoy yourself.
Reviewer: MarysRoses   Add your review   

Visited: March, 2002
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent.  Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: I have lunch often in this wonderful tea shop. It is delightful. Their soups are tasty. I also enjoy their green salad with cheese and walnuts. But my favorite is the Abbey Tea with an assortment of small tea sandwiches, fruit and a lovely scone that accompanies your pot of tea. Everything I have had is excellent. Try their cheese plate that comes with crispy toast wedges. It is a relaxed atmosphere, excellent service and just what a tea shop should be.
Reviewer: Marilyn McClellan   Add your review   

Visited: August, 2001
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent.  Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: If you ever make your way to northwestern Washington, you can't miss The Abbey Garden. They're located in Bellingham's historic business district, Fairhaven. The atmosphere is relaxed and eloquent. They share business space with a paint-your-own ceramics studio; this creates a unique and very creative atmosphere. 
Beyond the tranquil atmosphere, The Abbey Garden's tea is the best I've ever had at a tea room. The tea is steeped and the leaves removed before receiving it. I highly recommend the Queen Victoria\'s tea, which our waitress suggested. They have a large selection of loose teas and will sell any retail. I definitely took some home. 
My husband and I ordered an afternoon tea for two, which came with two individual teapots, two desserts (I had a scone, which was absolutely wonderful with raspberry jam and Devonshire cream, and my husband had a trifle), several little tea sandwiches, a delicate plate of fruit, and an assortment of tea cookies. They have a full lunch menu, and our waitress said everything was fresh and made on site; I could tell!
Every time I visit Washington, I can't wait to go to the The Abbey Garden.
Reviewer: Valerie   Add your review         

Elizabeth & Alexander, Bothell, WA

Visited: August, 2008.  Meal: Cream tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent.  Service: Good.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: My very good friend brought me to Elizabeth & Alexanders for my birthday. Since then my daughters and I have visited on a number of occasions. The tea and atmosphere is great. The scones are excellent. I really like that it's a great place for a novice - the wait staff is courteous and helpful if you aren't sure what to order.
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Claudia S. 8/08  Add your review     

Visited: July, 2005.  Reviewed: February, 2006.
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot
Tea: Poor.  Food: Fair.  Service: Poor.  Appearance: Good.
Comments: My young daughter and I love to go out for afternoon tea, and we were both highly disappointed. The waiter (owner's son, he proudly, if not arrogantly, said) was very slow, we felt overlooked. Our tea was served after we were almost done with our finger sandwiches and sweets. "This tea tastes funny," my six year old remarked; and she was right! Being British raised, I feel confident enough to say I know how proper tea should taste, and this was not it. Lemon curd and raspberry jam on my daughters sandwich was not a child friendly combination. We were given our tea for free because the service was so poor. I hated to see the frown on my daughters face. 
Would you go back? Sorry, no.
Reviewer: Karen & Missy  Add your review     

Visited: December, 2004.  Reviewed: March, 2005.
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent.  Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: Wonderful atmosphere. Gracious hostesses and even the owner came by our table personally to see if everything was good. We stayed many hours and did not feel rushed. Our teapots were continually being refilled. The food was heavenly and fresh baked. All was presented very attractively.
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Mary T.  Add your review     

Visited: February, 2005.  Reviewed: March, 2005.
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent.  Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: This tea room is so cozy, warm, and accommodating. All wait staff are sweet, soothing, and expert in their service. The food and tea was exactly as I'd experienced it a couple months before at Fortnum & Mason in London - perfect little sandwiches, the creamiest scones I've ever had, and tons and tons of dessert nibblies. I was thrilled with the whole experience!
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Barb  Add your review     

Visited: September, 2004.  Reviewed: September, 2004.
Meal: Lunch. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent.  Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: This is the sweetest little tea room with excellent atmosphere and food. A really great place for the "girls" to go for a nice meal. It's quiet and non-smoking. The staff is excellent and quite quick to serve us so we can get back to work. It is a pleasure to take my friends there.
Reviewer: Susie from Philips Medical Systems  Add your review     

Visited: June, 2004.  Reviewed: September, 2004.
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent.  Service: Poor.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments:  The tearoom itself and the food are absolutely exquisite. The only problem with this teahouse is that in my five times there I have been consistently met with terrible service. The staff is neither friendly nor dedicated. Each time I came, I waited at least ten minutes before I was given a menu. Never have they checked on us after the meal was served to see if we needed more water or more tea. One morning I went there at 9am on Saturday morning just after it opened. I was the first and only one in the tea room. I waited ten minutes to be seated. She seated me in the corner. I asked to be moved to a better place. She then left and didn't come back to take my order. Since there were no other patrons in the building at the moment, I can only assume that they were not too busy, they just don't care about their patrons. I truly wish they would hire more staff, or train the ones they have. It could truly be a fantastic place. After five visits there I have hoped each time they'd improve. Unfortunately, I cannot recommend them.
Reviewer: Janet, Bothell  Add your review     

Visited: November, 2002
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent.  Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments:  Elizabeth and Alexander's is my favorite place to go ... period. It's just lovely inside, and has a nice warm fireplace to sit by on cold rainy days. I have been there several times, including afternoon tea, lunch, and supper. I went for supper on my birthday and it was WONDERFUL! We had the creamy carrot soup and Windsor torte, which were excellent. I've never been disappointed, and I've even bought my English china from here. Definitely worth the visit if you have never been! :)
Reviewer: Maya Eleen  Add your review     

Visited: April, 2002
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent.  Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments:  My 8-year old daughter and I had a wonderful afternoon tea. The tea service and atmosphere were just perfect. My daughter especially enjoyed the children's tea service with the sweet berry tea! Well worth a visit!
Reviewer: Ms. Lisa & Ms. Claire   Add your review   

Visited: January, 2002
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Good.  Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments:  The tea room is quaint and very Victorian. The food was very good. The server was extremely nice and friendly. I liked the menu; you can choose a variety of tea service, from just tea and scones to a full afternoon tea service, so you do have options if you are on a budget. I liked it very much.
Reviewer: Luisa   Add your review   

Visited: October, 2000
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Good.  Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments:  This is a wonderful place to have tea! It's decorated with the feel of a real English tea room being quite cozy and warm without being stuffy. Our server did a great job and made us feel right at home. The food is good for the price and has a beautiful presentation. Lovely place!
Reviewer: pipermarch   Add your review  

Three Cups of Tea, Bothell, WA

Visited: June, 2009.  Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: This wonderful gem in the heart of Bothell looks smaller than it actually is. Inside are books and tea-related items for sale, with two private rooms for parties and tables throughout, very inviting. The owner is a lovely lady who obviously loves what she does greeted us and invited us to sit in one of the incredibly decorated private rooms. The menu is very extensive, with not only a variety of teas but desserts, sandwiches, and delightful beverages. We got the Tea Cup, a pot of your choice of tea, two freshly baked scones, and a little dish of lemon curd, raspberry jam, and clotted cream. Little timers at each table help you know when your tea has steeped just long enough. The scones were fresh, warm, and sweet. The scones alone are reason enough for you to go this tea house.
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: millatyme  8/09   Add your review    

The Bradley House/La-Tea-Dah Tea Room, Cathlamet, WA

Visited: June, 2007.  Reviewed: June, 2007.
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf and teabags. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: I am new to High [sic] Tea. This was a fabulous treat. I felt like a queen.
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Cassie B Add your review  

Visited: June, 2005.  Reviewed: August, 2005.
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf and teabags. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: I have been to many tea rooms in the Pacific Northwest and this is one of the top. Everything from beginning to end was fabulous! The food was fresh and homemade. The atmosphere was beautiful. Our hostess Audrian is as sweet and kind as she is funny.
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: One thrilled customer! Add your review   

All the Tea and China, Ilwaco, WA

Visited: January, 2009. Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: What a wonderful experience! This tea room is very beautiful and takes you away into another world! I would recommend this tea house to anyone slightly interested in tea, or anyone looking for a nice place to meet up with old and new friends... FABULOUS!
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Sheryl 3/09  Add your review    

Woodmark Hotel on Lake Washington, Kirkland, WA

Visited: January, 2007.  Reviewed: July, 2007.
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf and teabags. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Fair.  Food: Fair. Service: Fair.  Appearance: Fair.
Comments: For such a classy hotel, I was very dissapointed that their afternoon tea was so bland. There was truly nothing special about the service, food or tea. For the price I expected much more.
Would you go back? Sorry, no.
Reviewer: Kelly  Add your review  

Visited: April, 2005.  Reviewed: April, 2005.
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Good.  Food: Good. Service: Good.  Appearance: Fair.
Comments: We were totally disappointed with our experience at this tea room. They need to improve on their cleanliness. None of our "fine¨ china teacups came cleaned. They were either smudged with lipstick marks or contained tea stains. And I even found some foreign objects in my sandwich. Though the waiter was responsive enough to change it when we requested and given us a 10% discount, I would not want to go back again. Honestly the food is nothing to rave about. Scones arenˇ¦t fluffy nor creamy, bread is a little dried up, portion isnˇ¦t generous and the tea selection is limited. However I do have to give credit to their service. The waiter did come around a few times to check if we needed more water for our tea.
Would you go back? Sorry, no.
Reviewer: OO303  Add your review     

Steeped in Comfort, Lakewood, WA
Another review of Steeped in Comfort in Tea Digest. 

Visited: March, 2007.  Reviewed: March, 2007.
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf and teabags. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: Have made many visits to this delightful tearoom. The ambience, retail area, and food keep me coming back. Everything is top-rate. The food is excellent and abundant. Not all chocolate things for dessert, so wins high marks from me on that (not a big chocolate lover, I'm afraid). Was surprised, though, that we were charged $2.50 for a refill on tea when we had ordered the $18.95 tea that comes with a pot of tea. Have never been charged for "seconds" in any other tea shop. Won't stop me from going again, though. The food is too good to pass by.
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Ann in Kent  Add your review    

Visited: August, 2006.  Reviewed: August, 2006.
Meal: Private party. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Good.  Food: Fair. Service: Fair.  Appearance: Good.
Comments: I was really disappointed with Steeped In Comfort. The staff seemed really disorganized; our party had to remind them of the same requests several times. Mistakes were made on our orders. The food, particularly the sandwiches, was really unimpressive.
I wonder if the shop is under new management. I'd heard great things about Steeped in Comfort, particularly about the wide variety of teas and beautiful presentation of the food. This was not my experience. For the quality of the high [sic] tea provided, it's not a good deal.
Would you go back? Maybe.
Reviewer: J.M.  Add your review    

Visited: March, 2006.  Reviewed: March, 2006.
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Teabags. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: Food and tea settings were wonderful. A very elegant respit from a busy workday. Loved the hats and boas and the wonderful food. Took my two granddaughters, ages 10 and 11. They loved it. All A+++++ and recommend to all.
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Dianne Galeano  Add your review    

Visited: September, 2005.  Reviewed: January, 2006.
Meal: Lunch. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: This was a very pleasant surprise. To find this quaint, comfortable Tea Room with delicious food, teas and  treats at reasonable prices. Very pleasant and knowledgeable staff as well.
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Maria Ganzfried  Add your review    

Visited: August, 2005.  Reviewed: September, 2005.
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf and teabags. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: My sister and I love to visit tea rooms and just enjoy the fellowship together without being rushed. Steeped in comfort is an excellent place to relax and enjoy the pleasure of tea. The food was excellent and the atmosphere was very warming, not overly done but very simple and homey. This was by far one of the most enjoyable tea rooms I'v been to.
Would you go back? Hope so, but we don't live nearby.
Reviewer: Rachel_bramblett  Add your review    

Visited: February, 2005.  Reviewed: April, 2005.
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Good. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: The owners/staff are very friendly and encourage conversation and a fun time. They're happy to talk about tearooms they love, places they've been, and just general tea-conversation. There are two rooms of tables; you can sit in front of the fire, or next to one of several windows. There is a small gift area near the front, filled with tea trinkets and a few teas. However, the focus here is on sipping tea and eating goodies, so you don't feel at all as if you're in the middle of a shop. 
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Cindy W.  Add your review      

Attic Secrets Tea Room & Gifts, Marysville, WA

Visited: January, 2008.  Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: I have visited Attic Secrets several times and never have I had a bad experience. There is no clotted cream it's a Lemmon Curd and very tasty. Everything I have ordered has been very good and the service, staff, gifts and entire setting is Wonderful, Hightly Reccomend and I will be back often. Thank you for doing such a great job.
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Pam Scott  1/8  Add your review  

Visited: May, 2007.  Reviewed: May, 2007.
Meal: Lunch. Type of tea: Loose leaf and teabags. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: This was such a great place! I really enjoyed the atmosphere and service. Highly recommend this place to EVERYONE!!
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Connie L  Add your review   

Visited: June, 2005.  Reviewed: June, 2005.
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Fair. Service: Poor.  Appearance: Fair.
Comments: My sister and I wanted to try a new tea room for afternoon tea, so we choose to go to Attic Secrets. The tea was excellent, the finger sandwiches were good, but the scones and cake tasted like they were made with Bisquick. We were highly disapointed in the faux clotted cream, which we believe to be mere Cool Whip. And to top it off after we received our bill we never saw the server again. We had to more or less hunt her down. It was a big dissapointment. They need to make some improvements, to actually call themselves a tearoom. Tearooms dont use Cool Whip or Bisquick.
Would you go back? Sorry, no.
Reviewer: Very Disappointed  Add your review   

Visited: February, 2004.  Reviewed: March, 2004.
Meal: Private party. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent
Comments: I attended a baby shower at the Attic Tea Room. I was impressed by the service. Our server was attentive to our needs but not intrusive. What a lovely place to have a shower.
Reviewer: Kirsten  Add your review   

Visited: September, 2002
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Good.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent
Comments: I often visit Attic Secrets and am never disappointed. Happy, the owner, has continued the relaxed, comfortable, and truly lovely atmosphere that originally brought me there. The food is always good. The sandwiches are filling and I would really recommend their chicken salad. They also accommodate regular lunch partners who are intimidated by the traditional tea. My husband, father, and son have all attended this place with me several times and have enjoyed the visit and the food. I am not a big fan of the tea brand they carry, Tea Time Garden, but it works. The tea room is combined with a really great gift shop as well and is decorated to the nines. It even has a special garden room painted like a patio garden. 
Reviewer: MarysRoses  Add your review    

Visited: April, 2002
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent
Comments: I just went back to this great tea room last week. Again, as always, the food was great, tea was great. I think they do vary their tea selections occasionally. Every day they have a different type of scone. Delicious every one. The atmosphere, price, service, food and tea are all excellent. The sandwiches are filling and delicious. A great place to visit and bring friends. 
Reviewer: Stacy Dennis  Add your review   

Visited: September, 1999
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent
Comments: I really enjoy Attic Secrets. It is relaxed and very comfortable. The food is delicious and the tea was excellent. I believe they serve Tea Time Garden brand tea. It's a fun atmosphere with plenty of tea-related items for sale. They serve a delicious ham tea sandwich spread with Chai Tea Jelly. If you have the opportunity, you must visit Happy and have the Queen's Tea!
Reviewer: Angela Morrison Add your review    

Visited: December, 1999
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent
Comments: Congratulations to Attic Secrets Tea Room & Gifts! They were just listed as one of the "1999's Top 10 Best Places to Dine"
Reviewer: teaist@drizzle.com Add your review   

Visited: July, 1999
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent
Comments: Attic Secrets is my favorite tea room. I take my daughters there once a month as a special treat. We have had many of the items on the menu. We have never been disappointed. The crafts and specialty foods available in the gift shop are all excellent and the fudge they make is absolutely the best.
Reviewer: sue@jamminsue.com Add your review       

Makenzi's Tea Room, Marysville, WA

Visited: August, 2007.  Reviewed: August, 2007.
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf and teabags. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Good. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Good.
Comments: This was the first time I had ever visited a tea room, and I'm glad I chose this place. I took my 10-year-old little sister there for lunch for our annual celebration of Sister's Day. When I go to someplace for the first time, I'm always curious to see how that place treats first-time customers. Are they patient, curteous, willing to explain something if I had questions? My sister and I were pleased to find a kid-friendly atmosphere, good selection of teas, and great service. We even got to meet Makenzi herself and learn the history of the place. My sister is a self-professed non-tea person, but found great delight in the Berry Patch blend. I recommend the Victorian tea for first-time visitors so you can get a sample of everything. We definitly enjoyed our time there.
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Angel B. Add your review    

Visited: May, 2007.  Reviewed: May, 2007.
Meal: Lunch. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: I met a friend there for lunch. It was my first time at this business. It was lovely. Martie was very welcoming as she seated and served us. The desserts were incredible, lemon tarts and petit fours especially! Their chicken salad sandwich will bring me back often and the scones were so good that I took some home for breakfast. I am having my husband take me there for Mother's Day Tea.
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Chris Add your review    

Visited: April, 2007.  Reviewed: May, 2007.
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: The scones were the best I have had. There was a new girl training who was just incredible! The service was perfect and the tray when it came out made me feel like I was spoiling myself rotten! I have decided to do this once a month from now on. (If I can wait that long!) It is decorated WAY cute and the staff is nicer than any tea room that I have been to. It's tucked off the street so I almost misssed it, but I am so glad that I didn't.
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Sally from Marysville Add your review    

Visited: March, 2006.  Reviewed: August, 2006.
Meal: Cream tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf and teabags. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Poor. Service: Poor.  Appearance: Fair.
Comments: I had been a frequent patron at this tea room because it is close to home. The food was never stellar, but the service and food became increasingly hit or miss until I decided to simply stop going.
Would you go back? Sorry, no.
Reviewer: "Stanwood" Add your review    

Visited: April, 2004.  Reviewed: April, 2004.
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Good.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: this tea room is great i found it by mistake while looking for an antique shop i'm so glad i stopped in great food great service and best of all great tea harney and son's love it
Reviewer: taken to tea by surprise Add your review     

Time for Tea, Ocean Park, WA

Visited: July, 2002
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teacup.
Tea: Good.  Food: Good. Service: Good.  Appearance: Good.
Comments: Over the 4th of July took friends for first time to this tea room. Service was friendly and staff knowledgeable. It was very clean especially for a beach area. The sandwiches were great and a nice variety. Décor was pleasant, a nice mix of casual and elegant. My only complaint was the sugar bowl only had six lumps in it . We ask for more and received only four more. We feel the sugar bowl should be full when you sit down. We will definitely go whenever we are in the area.
Reviewer: Sharon Piverotto   Add your review      

Buster House Tea Room & Shop, Pomeroy, WA

Visited: February, 2008.  Meal: Lunch. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: This is a wonderful tea room. The tea is actually served! Each type of tea (we were served for with our meal), came with fresh cups and served from beautiful porcelain pots from silver trays. Wow!. The waitresses were sweet and accommodating. Live piano and harp music was played for a calm atmosphere and they crowned the Birthday girl with a gorgeous crown.
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Lynn 2/08 Add your review  

Januck's Gifts & Things, Pasco, WA

Visited: May, 2003
Meal: Retail only. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: n/a
Tea: Excellent.  Food: n/a. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: A cheerful home-operation with a nice variety of loose teas and herbs. Specialty gifts such as Attic Babies and other handcrafted items are an added plus.
Reviewer: LaDonna Add your review    

Olympic Bagel Company, Port Angeles, WA

Visited: September, 2004.  Reviewed: May, 2005.
Meal: Breakfast. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teacup.
Tea: Good.  Food: Good. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: This is a Starbucks-style place, but they actually make a decent cup of tea and some pretty good bagels (for the northwest). If you're visiting the area and aren't yet tired of salmon, they make a great salmon omelet. There are morning newspapers on tables, lots of goodies, and a cheerful staff.
Tea is prepared *over* the cup (one of those on-top brewing baskets). You choose from several loose-leaf teas, they brew accordingly then hand off the cup to you. This is not a place for a tea party, but it is a great place to get a cup of tea to start your day. Because of its central location (near the main route to heart of the Olympics), you can easily grab a cup of tea and bagel to go before heading up to Hurricane Ridge or any number of destinations.
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Cindy W. Add your review  

Tea Room at Port Gamble, Port Gamble/Poulsbo, WA

Visited: August, 2008.  Meal: Cream tea. Type of tea: Teabags. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Good.  Appearance: Good.
Comments: I recently visited this tea room with my fr.iend and daughters. We loved the fresh scones and the prices. They also offer fruit fondue which we all shared. It was a great place to stop on a day trip. The staff was very nice and they even provide hats for you!
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Claudia S. 8/8 Add your review

Victorian Rose Tea Room, Port Orchard, WA

Visited: January, 2006.  Reviewed: May, 2006.
Meal: Lunch. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: Found "our" place. Eight Sisters, numerous aunts and neices, girlfriens, granddaughters. Thank you for the special, girly, bonding environment and ambiance.
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Gramster Theresa Add your review 

Taste the Moment Restaurant and Tea Room, Redmond, WA

Visited: April, 2009. Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Pyramid teabags. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: This was my first visit and it was lovely. I brought my parents who thoroughly enjoyed the event. Plan to sit back, relax and leisurely enjoy the experience.
Would you go back? Hope so, but we don't live nearby.
Reviewer: Maggie 4/09  Add your review  

Visited: January, 2007.  Reviewed: February, 2007.
Meal: Lunch. Type of tea: Teabags. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: I loved everything about this teahouse!! The furnishings and decorating are beautiful - the owner is a lovely and friendly lady, the service excellent, the food was delicious and the presentation stunning - my friend and I had a wonderful experience - I can't think of anything that wasn't perfect! I highly recommend this tea house!
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Linda N. Add your review     

Teapot Vegetarian House, Redmond, WA

Visited: May, 2005.  Reviewed: May, 2005.
Meal: Supper. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: The Teapot really is more about food and less about tea, but it is wonderful to have a restaurant which offers fine tea while you dine. The tea here is of a decent quality, served loose leaf in a tetsubin pot. There are two sizes of pots, and about a dozen teas from which to choose. Tea is also featured in a few menu items, like one of my favorites, the popular Rose Chicken (it comes with sauce made from rose tea). It may sound odd to have a “chicken” dish at a vegan restaurant, but this is a Chinese/Pan-Asian restaurant that uses mock meats in several dishes. There were roses and rose petals scattered throughout recipes and the restaurant. There were even roses in the women’s restroom, which was, by the way, very clean and spacious (always important to have a good restroom when you’re sipping tea).
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Cindy W. Add your review 

The Victorian Tea Garden, Richland, WA

Visited: February, 2006.  Reviewed: May, 2006.
Meal: Dessert tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Poor.  Food: Fair. Service: Fair.  Appearance: Good.
Comments: Not worth the visit. Limited tea selection, prices are high, portions are miniscule and the service left alot to be desired. Have gone at different times with different people and it is always the same. Last time the tea wasn't even hot. I will not bother going again. 
Would you go back? Sorry, no.
Reviewer: Char Add your review    

A Touch of Elegance, St. John, WA

Visited: August, 2006.  Reviewed: August, 2006.
Meal: Lunch. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: I have been to many tearooms and this was the best! Barb was a gracious hostess, the atmosphere was lovely, the home immaculate and the food delicious. Her special touches and attention to detail, color, and beauty all made for a memorable time. My daughters and I were there celebrating a birthday and mother/daughter/sisters reunion and could not have chosen a better experience. Thank you Barb; it was all tea-lightful!
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Marilyn Nutter, PA  Add your review   

Visited: March, 2000.  Reviewed: March, 2005.
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a samovar.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: Thank you Barb Kile-owner and quintessential hostess of A Touch of Elegance in St. John, Washington! Because you treated our party to the most elegant afternoon tea in March 2000, my friend and I now treat ourselves to birthday tea parties each year. It is so much find to find new places to celebrate "getting better not older!!!" I just treated her to her 50th Year Tea Party and we had a grand time at Victorian Tea Gardens in Richland, WA. The highest compliment I can pay you Barb is that you are still number 1 in my book--your service & decor impeccable and food artistry magical!!! The only minus-my friend's birthday being in March didn't  allow for your yard to be in full bloom--I know it would be just as beautiful as our party was. **Can't remember the minimum number of tea lovers you must have to book a party (6 or 10 I think). P.S. Plan to visit while the iris gardens in St. John are blooming which makes your trip doubly fabulous!!!Than
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Becky Buergel-Tekoa, WA  Add your review   

Visited: December, 2001
Meal: Private party. Type of tea: Loose and bagged. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: The tearoom is in Barb Kile's home -- and what a beautiful home! She has a great gift shop with lots of fun tea items! This was the second time we have been to her tearoom and really enjoyed ourselves. Fresh flowers all over the tables and table settings and beautiful fabric everywhere -- she changes the draperies and linens for each season! Since we were there at Christmas time we enjoyed her beautiful Christmas trees throughout her home. We took lots of group pictures in front of them! The food is fabulous -- the chocolate lace butterflies that grace the pastries and cute handmade frosting pansies on the sugar cubes add a very special touch to the atmosphere. We are scheduled again for next year!
Reviewer: Tammy from Spokane, Wa  Add your review      

The Tea & Crumpet Shop, Seattle, WA
(Formerly The Crumpet Shop)

Visited: June, 2005.  Reviewed: June, 2005.
Meal: Lunch. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Good.  Food: Excellent.  Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: Great food at a fun and casual order-at-the-counter cafe. You can choose from a selection of loose leaf teas, or get one of about six all-you-can-drink “fast teas” that are pre-made, sitting in carafes on the counter (for less than $1.50, you’ll be given a mug to use while you’re there, and then you can get a to-go cup to take more with you). The fast-tea is just an okay cup of tea, but the crumpets are really the reason to stop in. These crumpets are made on-site, and you can buy packages to take home or get one with toppings to eat there. Very affordable, lots of Seattle character, and a great spot for lots of hot tea on a rainy day. One last note -- someone below mentioned the shop being closed on Sundays, but I was just there today (a Sunday) and it was wide open and busy. Perhaps they have better hours now.
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Cindy W.  Add your review    

Visited: September, 2004.  Reviewed: March, 2005.
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a samovar.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent.  Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: As a somewhat regular visitor to Seattle I was delighted to find a place that offers tea every bit as good as can be found back home. I make a point of having a good cuppa and a crumpet there every time I visit the city. The crumpet toppings they offer are a treat, especially the Marmite! Take it from a Brit, this place is really good.
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Peter D'Rozario  Add your review    

Visited: July, 2004.  Reviewed: July, 2004.
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent.  Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Fair.
Comments: The only negative we have on this teashop is the hours of opening. Why only to 12.30pm on Saturday and not open on Sunday -- surely two of the busiest days for summer visitors? Very disappointed to have arrived on both these days and found it closed.
Reviewer: Jane Thomson, Vancouver B.C.  Add your review    

Visited: July, 2001
Tea: Good.  Food: Good.  Service: Good.  Appearance: Fair.
Comments: This is really a stand-up quick cuppa that specializes in crumpets (wonderful!), bagels, etc. It's near Pike Place Market, and yes, it's not to be missed, but it's also not the expected sit-down, Victorian tea shop experience.
Reviewer: Becky Add your review   

Visited: June, 2001
Tea: Good.  Food: Excellent.  Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Good.
Comments: This a wonderful place in downtown Seattle. The people are very friendly and they have the best crumpets I have ever had. This is a place you can't miss!
Reviewer: Amber Dawn Add your review    

Episodes Bubble Tea Café, Seattle, WA

Visited: November, 2002
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf and teabags. Served: In a teacup.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: This is the best bubble tea place I have ever gone to. 
Reviewer: Bryan Nisperos  Add your review    

Floating Leaves Tea, Seattle, WA
(No longer serving tea as of July, 2008)

Visited: August, 2007.  Reviewed: August, 2007.
Meal: Gong-fu service. Type of tea: Loose leaf.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: n/a Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: This is by far the best teahouse in Seattle. They focus solely on tea, so don't expect food, though they have a little. Feel free to drink a quick cup of very high quality tea, or spend several hours enjoying gong-fu style  oolong (which the staff are more than happy to teach you about). This is a wonderful place to experience a different culture, and relax, forgetting about the hustle and bustle of the world outside.
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: AAltair Add your review   

Visited: July, 2005.  Reviewed: July, 2005.
Meal: No meal, just a cuppa. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: Gong-fu style.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: n/a Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: This is a new Taiwanese tea house in the funky Seattle neighborhood of Ballard. If you love Taiwanese oolongs, China blacks, or puerhs, this is a must-visit destination. If you’ve never tried any of those, or you’re just starting to explore tea, Floating Leaves can be a really fun spot to learn new techniques. The owners are friendly and love to talk about tea and travel in Taiwan. The shop is open and clean, with several tables and even a few Asian-style seating areas. The quality of the tea is at a gourmet level and can be pricey for some, but they also have excellent “house” teas that cost much less. Last week, I spent several hours with tea-loving friends, exploring various teas and the gongfu method – what a wonderful time!
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Cindy W. Add your review     

Four  Seasons Olympic Hotel, Seattle, WA

Visited: June, 2006.  Reviewed: May, 2007.
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Poor.  Food: Excellent. Service: Poor.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: The food was wonderful but they did not know how to serve tea. Very poor slection of tea. Server was not attentive.
Would you go back? Sorry, no.
Reviewer: Mary Add your review   

Visited: February, 2001
Meal: Supper. Type of tea: Teabags. Served: In a teacup.
Tea: Good.  Food: Poor. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: The food was inappropriate for the price. I cannot recommend the Four Seasons.
Reviewer: susan Add your review   

Four  Seasons Olympic Hotel, Seattle, WA
Visited: May, 2003
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Good. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: Lovely Georgian dining room. Beautifully appointed. Attendants were attentive. The tea was excellent, and hot. The food was quite good, but not of the absolute excellent quality that one would hope. The pastries were good, but not outstanding. Mini-palmiers, dense chocolate dessert, apple fritter, strawberry tartlet, and more. One type of fruited scone. Small quantity of Devonshire cream (not quite enough for the two-per-person scones.) Lemon wedges, and rather sad looking display of sugar cubes (serving tray too large for the service of tea accompaniments -- made them look forlorn). The lovely atmosphere of the hotel and its soaring ceilings made the afternoon tea a pleasant place to catch up with conversation and people watching. We went on a Sunday afternoon, and the hotel was hosting a of couple wedding receptions that kept the place hopping.
Reviewer: fiddi Add your review   

Fairmont Olympic Hotel, Seattle, WA
Visited: December, 2003.  Reviewed: January 2004.
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: A cold and windy day in Seattle brought us to find refuge in afternoon tea at this lavish downtown Seattle hotel. Formerly called The Four Seasons, it is now known as The Fairmont Olympic Hotel. We were escorted into The Garden by a friendly, smiling hostess. The seat that I was shown to placed me with my back to the huge room and large windows. I asked if I could switch seats and have a view instead. The hostess willingly moved the table setting to accommodate me. Much to my surprise when I sat down and I looked out the window, I had a beautiful view of the Space Needle, which is my favorite landmark in Seattle. We were off to an auspicious start.
On our plates was the Holiday Afternoon Tea menu listing the selection of loose leafed teas (nine), bubbly, and cocktails. The tea sandwiches listed were chicken salad with pecan and cranberries on seven grain bread, smoked salmon with lemon-caper butter, cucumber and China rose radish, and devilled (British spelling) egg and baby arugula. The sweets comprised mincemeat tart, lemon pecan butter cup, chocolate mousse roulade, and shortbread holly cookie. Scones were candied orange scones with clotted cream and jam. Price $30.
Three of us attending the tea ordered our tea selections. One in our group is a vegetarian and she requested sandwiches without meat or eggs. Our waiter, Gabriel, checked with the chef and said they could accommodate her. Sandwiches of tomato and feta cheese, and fresh asparagus wrapped in bread, were outstanding she said.
Each of us was served a three-tier tray, with sandwiches, sweets, and warm scones. Since the scones were warm we decided to start with them. Light and fluffy, truly delectable with candied orange. As I was struggling to open my jam jar, it was immediately swept away into the hands of a waitress who opened it. I commended her on her attentive service.
Next we indulged in the sandwiches, very delicious and presented beautifully. This chef did outstanding work. At times like these I wish I could meet the chef personally, and convey my thanks for an excellent job. Feeling hungry when we entered we asked for more sandwiches and scones after devouring what was served. Without a blink of an eye, our request was fulfilled. 
Desserts were so well executed. I always feel there should be a lemon sweet and a chocolate sweet as part of an afternoon tea. Well I was gratified to see we had both, plus a mincemeat tart and shortbread holly cookie.
After numerous pots of tea, with boiling water poured into our teapots whenever they appeared empty, we sat back and relaxed. It was truly a highlight of the season: excellent food, good conversation, loving family and friends, and impeccable service. These are the joys of life!
Reviewer: Carole H. King, Tea Lady Add your review  

Panama Hotel Tea & Coffee House, Seattle, WA

Visited: August, 2005.  Reviewed: August, 2005.
Meal: No meal, just a cuppa. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a mug.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Good.  Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: This café is located in a neat historic brick building in the International District. More of a coffee house feel than a tea room. Comfy chairs, wood floors, high ceilings. historic photos on the wall. They serve loose leaf tea either by the mug or pot. Either way, they are happy to give you a refill of hot water. They have a selection of pastries and a couple of sandwiches (which they stop serving when they run out of bread, which seems often). Nice place to come alone and read a book or with a group  to play games on the huge wood table. Warm and casual. 
goback Yes, can't wait!
Owner Customer/patron
name Sue from Bellevue
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Sue from Bellevue  Add your review       

The Perennial Tea Room, Seattle, WA

Visited: December, 2005.  Reviewed: January, 2006.
Meal: No meal, just a cuppa. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: n/a  Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: I love this place, and it's a must-stop every time I come home to visit family near Seattle. The staff is  knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and like others, I end up buying tons of tea. The variety is great, and I've never been  disappointed with their recommendations. I only wish I could find somewhere even remotely as good as this shop closer to where I live in Virginia. I love the experience of shopping here and recommend it highly.
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Kris  Add your review    

Visited: June, 2005.  Reviewed: June, 2005.
Meal: No meal, just a cuppa. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: n/a  Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: This tea shop is located in the picturesque Post Alley area of Pike Place Market. They carry a nice selection of teas along with a wide range of teapots, tea accessories, and selected teatime goodies. The tea room serves a rotating selection of 4 teas that are pre-brewed (brown betty pots in the back room). You can get cups of tea – no food or milk or sugar, just good tea. Both teas we sampled were quite nice. 
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Cindy W.  Add your review    

Visited: September, 2002
Meal: No meal, just a cuppa. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: n/a  Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: These people have a wide variety of loose leaf teas and also carry teabags from England. The staff was VERY knowledgeable about the origins of all their teas, and the salesman at the loose leaf counter was a lot of fun to talk to. I bought over $100 of loose leaf tea on my first visit -- everything from jasmine pearl tea to good old Earl Grey -- shopping here was great fun. They also have pots and accessories. A very fun shopping experience!
Reviewer: Kat  Add your review     

Queen Mary, Seattle, WA

Visited: October, 2007.  Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent.  Service: Good.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: I went with 20 women from my apt house==the Redhaven Hat Society. Even with a reservation, we waited about 10 minutes to be seated. Looking past that and the unbelievably crowded serving room (guess why it was so crowded!) I loved the victorian ambiance and elegant offerings-- finger sandwiches, tiny scones, tiny but esquisite cookies, sherbet balls, truffles, all garnished with fruit and served with a choice of 100's of teas. Go  prepared for the mob drawn by the excellence of the place, but go to have fun. Don't time your visit.
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Red Haven Hatter from Bitterlake  9/08  Add your review    

Visited: May, 2008.  Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Average.  Food: Average.  Service: Poor.  Appearance: Average.
Comments: I don't know what anyone sees in this place. It's more of a restaurant than a tearoom. We felt invisible for most of our time there. Maybe we weren't as well dressed and coiffed as some of the other customers so they presumed we were not wealthy enough for them? After reading the previous review we should be thankful we were invisible! Tea was not hot enough and tasted flat. Food was okay but nothing special. Service I have already mentioned. Appearance? Well, it's a restaurant, not a tearoom, and even though not all tables were full the noise level was very high, making it hard to have a conversation. A blonde woman who worked there stopped by the table next to us and spent a long time talking (loudly) to the people there. When she walked away from their table she glanced at ours. My sister smiled at her but she didn't even acknowledge us, just kept on walking. I later found out she was the owner. I think that says it all. Next visit to Seattle we'll definitely go someplace else for tea and hope we're good enough for the owner to talk to (and that the tea and food are better)..
Would you go back? Sorry, no.
Reviewer: Seattle visitor 7/08  Add your review    

Visited: November, 2007.  Meal: Lunch. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Average.  Food: Average.  Service: Fair.  Appearance: Fair.
Comments: It was too small for the number of guests for comfort. Noisy! The tea pot was delivered and we had to decant it ourself. They took our centerpiece away to make room for the tray. We received no attention and the worst after a little more than an hour we were asked to leave to make room for others. I never! and it wasn't inexpensive -- in fact the most expensive tea room I've been to.
Would you go back? Sorry, no.
Reviewer: Lynn Adams 2/08  Add your review    

Visited: January, 2005.  Reviewed: January, 2005.
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent.  Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: What a delightful tearoom! My friends and I agree that this by far, one of the most charming places we have visited. Though we have all lived here in Seattle for many years, none of us had been to Queen Mary. The tea tray was beautifully arranged and the food was delicious and plentiful. The atmosphere is very welcoming and warm. Contrary to the negative reviews on this site, which don’t seem very credible, the food is second to none and prices are fair. The space is small and when we were in, group celebrating a baby shower created a very festive atmosphere. It seems Queen Mary is very popular for events like this. So, if a prim and proper silence is what you’re after, you will find this place far too stimulating. Thank you very much a wonderful afternoon.
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Julie  Add your review    

Visited: Before 2001.  Reviewed: November, 2004.
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Good.  Food: Excellent.  Service: Fair.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: This used to be my favorite place for tea; the space is beautifully decorated, the food is delicious, and my girls loved to go for a special treat. We went every year before school started, and usually at Christmas time or I took friends for special occasions. Then the place got too busy, the service deteriorated, and the price got too high. I have found another, quieter place where the food is just as good and the service is infinitely better. 
Reviewer: Seattle tea lover  Add your review    

Visited: April, 2004.  Reviewed: May, 2004.
Meal: Lunch. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Good.  Food: Excellent.  Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: This tea room is truly an excellent place to go if you can afford to shell out a fair bit of money. The only complaint I had was that they didn't provide an extra pot for decanting the tea, and as a result the tea brewed so long it became nearly undrinkable. However, it's undeniably got charm, and it's a great place for special occasions. Also, the owner is friendly, a definite plus.
Reviewer: Hannah  Add your review    

Visited: February, 2004.  Reviewed: March, 2004.
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Good.  Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: I just took a dear old friend visiting from out of town to share the experience of having English tea. This is the place to do it. It was on the weekend and very busy. I would recommend weekdays if you want a quieter atmosphere.
Reviewer: Marilyn  Add your review     

Visited: January, 2004.  Reviewed: January, 2004.
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Good.  Food: Good.  Service: Poor.  Appearance: Good.
Comments: The Queen Mary is very small and they overbook. When my girlfriends and I went there for my birthday celebration we (and another group) had to wait in the tiny doorway for well over fifteen minutes (past our reservation times) while the staff ignored us. We were squeezed into a corner in order to accommodate a larger group. The table was too small to hold all our teapots, etc. and we had to actually move the table to get in and out of our seats. The food was okay, except the lemon tarts which tasted like raw eggs. It was extremely disappointing.
Reviewer: Bday Girl  Add your review   

Visited: June, 2002
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Good.  Service: Good.  Appearance: Good.
Comments: The afternoon we went, the servers seemed to be college girls. Our server was good, but rather diffident. She also was unaware of the ingredients of some of the pastries in the pastry case (we wanted to take our husbands a sample). It was a relaxed atmosphere, and I would think it would make a nice place to take young girls for an introduction to tea. What impressed us was the lovely sorbet course that preceded the traditional sandwiches, scones, and sweets. The sorbets were served in an old-fashioned champagne pedestal glass. There were three one-inch balls of lemon, mango, and raspberry, decorated with a mint sprig and a shortbread finger cookie. Very lovely touch on a summer day.
Reviewer: fiddi  Add your review   

Visited: September, 2002
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Good.  Service: Good.  Appearance: Fair.
Comments: Overpriced afternoon tea. The food portions are perfect for an afternoon tea setting, but extremely pricey for the kind of food that is served. One complaint is that aside from the main room being a bit crowded with tables, the tables are too low for my 6'4" spouse who enjoys tea with me. I should have married a shorter man.
Reviewer: janet  Add your review   

Visited: November, 2001
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Good.  Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Good.
Comments: I have been in this place many times to entertain friends. I highly recommend them. The afternoon tea is a bit expensive over the weekend; friends never go back again. The teddy bears that hang are not a good decoration for Victorian style. 
Reviewer: Marlin Fessler  Add your review  . 

Visited: November, 2000
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent.  Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: The food and ambiance here are spectacular. My only complaint is that the food is very highly priced and not worth that much. If you're willing to spend the money, it's a nice little place to go to.
Reviewer: Tanya Harrison  Add your review  .  

Visited: November, 1999
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent.  Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: This is by far my favorite tea place. The atmosphere is quaint, the food delicious, and the details impeccable. When I am taking a "newbie" to tea, I always go here.
Reviewer: Valerie White  Add your review  .    

Sorrento Hotel, Seattle, WA

Visited: December, 2005.  Reviewed: December, 2005.
Meal: Theme tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: Opened in 1909, this historic landmark is located in the downtown business district. Architect Harlan Thomas was inspired by a trip to Sorrento, Italy and transposed this concept into a luxury hotel with elegance, characterized by rich mahogany interiors and velvet fabrics.
The Fireside Room where the tea takes places has a fireplace adorned with a pottery mural designed by Cincinnati's renowned pottery company Rookwood, and is priceless with only eight intact designs remaining in the U.S. Feeling like a private club the room has a cozy, warm atmosphere. In the middle of the room a circular banquette is found covered in gold and red cut velvet, evoking a turn of  the century feeling. 
We were greeted by Chris, one of the managers of the Hunt Club Restaurant, who led us to our circular table. We were  presented with a box of tea in individual containers that we could smell, and read what type of tea it was. That was an  experience we had never encountered before. I chose Assam, Sil chose Chai and my daughter, Jessica, chose Duchess of Bedford in tribute to the woman who started the concept of tea time. We were all pleased with our selections as we poured our tea through individual tea strainers.
We were served three-tiered trays with pastries on the top level, sandwiches on the second, and scones on the third  level. We began with the tea sandwiches which consisted of curried chicken salad, smoked salmon, ham salad, and  celeriac on slices of cucumber, two of each, which was just the right amount. Garnished with carrot frou-frous the sandwiches were delectable. 
For our second course there were dried cherry scones, served with Devonshire Cream and various jams. They were very good, and a size that was appreciated. There is nothing worse than a small-sized scone that can barely hold the condiments offered. I loved the texture and lightness of them. 
On to our third and final course which were the pastries. There were petit fours, madeleines, Russian tea cookies, thumbprint cookies, English style cookies, and chocolate crisps. Also included were white truffles and miniature cream puffs. These pastries were fresh and satisfied our craving for a sweet ending. 
It was a relaxing two-hour tea and we did not feel rushed at all. Chris refilled our pots of tea with hot water when needed. 
More people streamed in for tea and the atmosphere remained quiet and subdued. Tables are far apart where other conversations are not intrusive on yours. 
Making a new friend, connecting with family, and enjoying a wonderful repast, one wonders how many of the same similar situations have taken place over the past 96 years here in the Fireside Room. Something to ponder in one's free moments.
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait! 
Reviewer: Carole H. King, Tea Lady  Add your review   

Visited: January, 2003
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: This was a lovely afternoon tea experience. The Fireside Room resembles a rather dark English library. We went midweek and were the only ladies there for tea, but there were several other small clusters there for business conversations. There was plenty of space between the groups. The pastry chef and cooks prepare a luxurious tea. The pastries included a choux cream puff swan. Savory course was imaginative in appearance and flavorful. All in all this was the best tea food I've experienced in the several Seattle tea rooms we have visited. The cost was in line with the other nicer hotel teas. We used the valet parking and the first hour was included in the tea. This was not the case at another hotel. Very lovely experience, and I hope to go back and share a cup of tea with family and friends this year.
Reviewer: fiddi Add your review      

The Teacup, Seattle, WA

Visited: March, 2005.  Reviewed: April, 2005.
Meal: No meal, just a cuppa. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teacup.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: n/a. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: This is a tea shop for lovers of the leaf. It is not a tea room with food. Instead, it is a place to sip a cup, browse books, look at specialty tea accessories, and talk tea. There is a large selection of tea, from Assams to Oolongs to Greens. The owner told me that Saturdays at 1pm, he holds casual classes on various teas and tea-making methods (gaiwan cupping, yixing methods, etc). I am looking forward to going soon. Visitors to the city should know that The Teacup is on Queen Anne Hill, which is a distinctly-Seattle neighborhood with picture postcard views of the city, space needle, and the Puget Sound. 
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Cindy W. Add your review   

Visited: April, 2003
Meal: No meal, just a cuppa. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: n/a. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: The tea selection was excellent. The staff was very friendly. A person could order different pots of tea all day long and read through their magazines. The ginger heart cookies are very good too.
Reviewer: susan Add your review   

Visited: September, 2002
Meal: No meal, just a cuppa. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: n/a. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: I stumbled upon this adorable treasure while shopping in the Queen Anne neighborhood. The tea selection was extensive, the service was beyond excellent, and the staff was very knowledgeable. I enjoyed a pot of Phoenix Dragon Pearls while people-watching on this quaint street. Highly recommended!! I continue to buy tea from this company online.
Reviewer: Kristel Plant Add your review      

Teahouse Kuan Yin, Seattle, WA
Under new ownership as of October 2006

Visited: October, 2002
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent.  Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: I'd say that the previous reviews of Teahouse Kuan Yin are fairly accurate. It's a GREAT teahouse, if by great you mean fantastic tea. I think it is a very SEATTLE establishment. I am mostly here to post an update: Since their redecoration, the "flow" of the main room is very different. The feng shui that had been present has been seriously disrupted by the placement of furniture (the fish tank should STILL be by the door). The staff is quite knowledgeable and new tea drinkers will not feel intimidated or ignorant. Ask any question that comes to mind. This is my favorite Seattle teahouse.
Reviewer: Tony Hellmann   Add your review     

Visited: June, 2001
Tea: Excellent.  Food: --.  Service: Good.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: First the bad, then the good. Their tea was being kept in clear plastic containers which possibly allow light to degrade the tea's quality. When we were served, there was no timing device nor advice on how long we should let our tea steep and there were no internal infusion devices to stop the tea when it reached perfection. I had to ask for a second tea pot to decant in order to keep our tea from turning bitter.
That being said ... The selection of teas was very nice and the woman behind the counter was knowledgeable, pleasant, and helpful. When I asked for a second pot to decant with, she understood exactly why I wanted it and supplied it quickly and cheerfully. This is a nice change from most establishments where if you question a serving policy you get the "I'm insulted" treatment.
Above all, Teahouse Kuan Yin had a wonderful ambiance, the staff was helpful, they were giving away really nice Buddhist posters, and I felt completely at home. Other than a few niggling tea issues, it was one of the best teahouse experiences I've had. This place is a must for anyone visiting the Seattle region. Friendly, fun, relaxing, and best of all, not stuck up. The staff are tea lovers and are rightfully proud of their shop. 
Reviewer: Eliot Smith   Add your review   

Visited: August, 2000
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Good.  Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: Every time I enter Kuan Yin, I feel the outside world disappearing. On a dreary Seattle day, it's a warm, quiet, softly-lit place of repose. With an interesting choice of teas (greens, herbal tisanes, blacks, oolongs), a small selection of nibbles (items anywhere from humbow to lavender cookies, with chocolate somewhere in between, and new pannini sandwiches) and always helpful staff, I always enjoy stopping by to unwind for a while. Cell phone usage is not allowed, and the atmosphere is definitely aimed for the contemplative tea drinker. Dictionaries, books, magazines and chess/cribbage boards are available for use. The koi tank is a wonderful room divider, and I've spent many an hour watching the inhabitants go about their fishy lives.  The music overhead is always interesting, and at a very nice volume.
Kuan Yin is not for those who wish splendor to surround them -- the main room's minimalist decor is Asian influenced, and neighborhood bulletins paper the back hallway. You are in the heart of the Wallingford neighborhood, which is historically a college student and 'granola' spot.
It all works, though. While I am a fan of the more elaborate teas, visiting Kuan Yin always makes me feel tranquil. There's nothing better than the smell of a cup of Lapsang Souchong, the sight of rain pouring down outside, and the anticipation of eating a slice of apple spice cake.
Reviewer: Susan Collicott   Add your review      

World Spice Merchants, Seattle, WA

Visited: June, 2001
Tea: --.  Food: n/a.  Service: Fair.  Appearance: Good.
Comments: As we entered The World Spice Merchant we were met with the aroma from a myriad of powerful spices. We loved the eclectic look of the place and were greeted immediately by a very nice young woman who asked if she could help us. I answered that I wished to explore their tea selection and I was directed downstairs to their tea area. Before I went, I asked how they protected their tea from the powerful mix of spices. The young woman chilled immediately and replied that they had air-tight containers and that contamination was absolutely NO problem! Downstairs was an array of teas and tisanes in glass jars with instructions to open and smell as much as we liked, however we couldn't get a clear notion of any of their teas because the smell of spice was still overwhelming. The jar labels had spaces for listing estates, but only three out of twenty or so had estates listed. It seemed a decent selection and the leaf looked of a good quality, but with the glass storage allowing light to reach the leaves and overpowering aroma of spices, although nice in itself, force me to give The World Tea Merchant low points as a tea shop. Very high points as a spice shop, but not as a place to buy tea. Even putting aside that we could not get an unadulterated sniff while shopping there, I cannot believe that with customers being encouraged to open and sniff, that the teas are not being contaminated. Also, as I said, as soon as I mentioned the subject of possible contamination, the woman turned quite cold. Not exactly the response I would like from a communicative dealer. I fear she doth protest too much.
Reviewer: maskman  Add your review     

Everything Tea, Snohomish, WA

Visited: January, 2005.  Reviewed: January, 2005.
Meal: Retail only. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: n/a. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: This is a tea shop that sells tea brewing accessories and a wide variety of loose teas. They always have a free cup of tea for customers, so you can sip while you wander around the store. The store is located in a small riverfront town that is an antiques-lovers’ paradise. There are three tea shops and hundreds of antique dealers all located within a few blocks.
“Everything Tea” is wonderful. There are shelves and shelves of loose tea in jars, and the shop owners are delighted to talk and "geek out" over all of the cool tea items. I could have stayed for hours, just discussing the different teas -- where they get them, what happens to the leaf in the pot, how they smell, how to prepare the teas, etc. They have many types of accessories, from traditional British tea brewing to gaiwan sets. It’s a 45 minute drive for me, but this is going to be a regular haunt. 
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Cindy W. Add your review       

The Brambleberry Cottage & Tea Shoppe, Spokane, WA

Visited: July, 2007.  Reviewed: July, 2007.
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent.  Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: I visited this cottage tea room on a very hot day, but there were fans and it was very comfortable. The decor and ambience were wonderful. There were rooms both up an downstairs and many items for sale throughout. I sat in a wicker rocking chair at a teacart and the server was genuinely friendly and took such good care of the patrons. I felt very pampered and the food was ample and delicious. It is the first tea room i've been to where you could change and try different teas which allowed me to go from a black tea to herbal. It was truly an enjoyable experience and i plan to take my friends and great nieces there! Thank you
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Pam D.  Add your review    

Visited: February, 2003
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Good.  Food: Good.  Service: Good.  Appearance: Good.
Comments: This is an excellent little tea room in an unfortunate strip mall location. The outside of the building is very unappealing; however, once inside, the room is transformed. They served a very good tea (the best scone I have ever had) that included a large tea menu. Highly recommended.
Reviewer: Stonediva  Add your review    

Visited: December, 2002
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent.  Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: Wow. What a wonderful experience. This is a place I LOVE to take girlfriends. The atmosphere is fantastic. There are MANY teas to sample. The presentation of the food is beautiful and the food itself is divine. I have never left disappointed (only full).
Reviewer: Chris  Add your review     

Visited: September, 2002
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent.  Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: Wow! What a great place. They have a huge selection of excellent teas of which you can try several, example with three in our party we each selected a different variety and then selected again when the originals were gone. Food and service were both outstanding complements to the tea.
Reviewer: Chloe  Add your review   

Visited: March, 2001
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent.  Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: Visiting this tea room is like entering another world. Spokane's best kept secret won't stay that way once the word gets out! The atmosphere is welcoming, cozy and carries a romance all its own. I always leave refreshed and sometimes a little too full! It is one of my favorite places to bring friends.
Reviewer: Pam Strickland  Add your review   

Healing Garden Tearoom and Flowers, Tacoma, WA

Visited: June, 2009.  Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: This lovely tea room in the Stadium District of Tacoma offers a gracious and relaxing atmosphere coupled with carefully prepared tea and food. Service is warm and just attentive enough to allow plenty of personal reflection time or conversation with your party. I am a frequent guest and am always greeted like family. I haven't found anywhere that provides me with the same rejuvenation from life's toils. Food and tea served here add to the reflective mood as flavors caress taste buds and olfactory nerves. Overall, every experience here has been sublime!
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Anne N. 7/09  Add your review  

Visited: February, 2009.  Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Teabags. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: This was my second trip to this tea room with my two friends. We were there several months ago, but couldn't quite remember if we liked it or not. Well, this time there was no question -- we LOVED it! The food was fabulous and ample, the service was elegant, thoughtful and nonintrusive, the decor charming. As my Grandma would say, "What's not to like?" We actually set a "personal best" record on this visit -- we sat for more than four hours and chatted. No sense of being pushed out, even though we were the first customers to arrive today, and the last to leave. We will never again wonder if this is a tea room worth revisiting. We are defnitely going back -- and soon! Give it a try. You won't be disappointed.
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Ann from Kent, WA 2/09  Add your review       

The Carriage House Tea Room at Pomeroy House, Yacolt, WA

Visited: May, 2007.  Reviewed: May, 2007.
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Teabags. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Fair.  Food: Fair. Service: Poor.  Appearance: Fair.
Comments: After many recommendations, we decided to take a friend to the Pomeroy House for her birthday. It was an hour drive each way, and it wasn't worth it at all. We were very disappointed all around. The menu was small and lacking variety. 90% of the teas were prepackaged grocery store variety teas. The decore was sparse at best but the tea shop downstairs had lots to offer (at a high price). As for the service: there wasn't any! After sampling a flavor of tea, the actual pot of tea was not served until they brought us the bill. We were the only patrons in the tea room at the time so it wasn't like they were overly busy with other customers. I don't know what happened that day, but it was not worth the half tank of gas or the time. LaTeaDa in Tillamook, here we come!
Would you go back? Sorry, no.
Reviewer: Almond Mary  Add your review   

Visited: November, 2006.  Reviewed: November, 2006.
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf and teabags. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Good.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: I've visited this tea room on so many occasions and am always delighted to return. They rarely disappoint (they had once run out of devon cream rendering the scone aspect of our meals less than ideal). A minor suggestion would be to offer more than one soup selection as they are scruptious, esp the hot choices such as tomato ginger or pumpkin. Their chicken curry sandwiches are delightful and  they always permit me to swap out should one of the 3 varieties have seafood (I recently opted for extra cucumber sandwiches in lieu of the shrimp). The gals are very sweet and accomodating. We are frequently offered a complimentary cup of the house tea if we are waiting to be seated. The view is lovely should you be fortunate enough to get my table (LOL) beside the pic window. This place holds fond memories with my teenage daughter and me. She always looks forward to practicing her driving skills when I say, "Let's go for tea" and we make the longish, but beautiful trip to Yacolt. Bring your sweetie, girlfriend, daughter or mom. . you'll be glad you came. Tip: ask at register about monthly recipe packet.
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Elaine & my daughter Alycia Atkinson  Add your review   

Visited: April, 2006.  Reviewed: April, 2006.
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: This is a perfect place! Wonderful food/tea atmosphire served by pretty and polite local girls. Just like having tea at a well to do farm in the 1920's - perfection!
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: The Conoboy's  Add your review   

Visited: February, 2005.  Reviewed: July, 2005.
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf and teabags. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: I have visited the Pomeroy House on several occassions and have loved it each and every time. It's a very tranquil place. To me it seems more casual and less pretentious than other places I've been to, and the food is excellent! I especially love their peanut soup and curried chicken salad sandwiches. I love to sit and look out over the farm through their large picture window. It's not unusual to see a family of deer passing through. They have a large gift shop that sells several different items, including food items that appeal to people from other countries (my friend from Wales often goes there for treats). There are also nostalgic toys, games and kitchen items; as well as jewelry and seasonal decorations. I can't say enough about this place! They are open for tea Weds. through Saturday from 11:30 to 3:00pm.
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Roni H.  Add your review   

Visited: July, 2002
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf and teabags. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: The Pomeroy House is a magical tea shop and tea room. The tea house itself is a two-story house remodeled as a gift shop on the bottom floor (with more tea sets for sale than I've ever seen) and the tea and food is served on the top floor. The tea house sits on an old turn-of-the-century farm, and the acreage is beautiful. Of course, around the holidays the Pomeroy House puts together wonderful seasonal events and they will send you a newsletter listing all upcoming functions (Teddy Bear Teas, Quilt Teas, Pumpkin Teas, Mother Daughter Teas, etc.). I highly recommend the Pomeroy House.
Reviewer: Krista D. Gaeta - Vancouver, WA  Add your review