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Camellia Tea Room
828 1st Street
Benicia, CA
707-746-5293
visit website
Hours
Tue - Sun: 11:00am to 4:00pm
#67
of 285
in CA
Overview
The tradition of afternoon tea began in England in 1840. Anna, the seventh Duchess of Bedford, got into the habit of ordering a tray of tea with cakes and sandwiches to her room between meals. Anna so enjoyed her ritual, she moved it to the drawing room and invited friends to join her. Soon, afternoon tea became a widespread social practice, complete with rules of tea etiquette. More than a century and a half later, afternoon tea is still bringing people together. We're happy to continue the tradition.
Camellia Tea Room (est. July 1995) is located in a beautifully restored 1897 building in historic downtown Benicia. Lace curtains, ivory tablecloths and fresh flowers on each table, tea served in bone china teapots and an ornate ceiling featuring Bradbury & Bradbury Art Wallpapers, make for an elegant and relaxing atmosphere. In addition to afternoon tea, we serve lunch and desserts, and everything is made fresh daily in our kitchen. We offer more than 40 fine loose leaf teas.
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What a joy to be able to return to my favorite spot! (I moved to the east coast three years ago and miss Camellia Room so much.)
Our server, Joanie, was as delightful as ever. Prompt and attentive service.
The food was DELICIOUS and homemade. Scones and Devon cream are a real treat here. If you like curry at all, the curry chicken wrap is WONDERFUL!
The location of the tearoom is a treat in itself . . . down the main street in Benicia.
Remember to call ahead for reservations if you plan to go around lunch time or on the weekend.
(I've been a patron since 1998 . . . this tea room is consistenly GREAT!)
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- Deena 06/27/08
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My daughter and I visited this tea room for her birthday. It was in a beautiful downtown setting and the actual tea room wasn't as impressive. It was nice but lacked some more character and a bit plain! It has more potential in sprucing it up a notch more... And I was disappointed in the attitude of our waitress. She was an older lady (not the owner's daughter) that wasn't as friendly!Or that helpful nor inviting... I was tempted to say something to the upper person in charge but didn't for lack of not wanting to ruin my special time with my daughter! Would I go there again- I'm not sure. Either, or?
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- Pleasant Hill 5/24/08 05/24/08
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The service was poor. The waitress didn't want to give us a menu. She wanted us to all agree to the 'Traditional Tea' twenty dollars each. I had to ask to see the menu. Worst service ever. Red Hat ladies beware! All my ladies were unhappy with the service.
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- QM Alicia 04/14/08
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it was my first time going to this tearoom place, its nice, food is good, environment is excellent, room size is kind of small though but, other then that, my daughters, my close friend & I had a great time. I'd come back again. It's always great to compare qauilities, quanties, service, & food pricing as well. So, far its my 2nd choice compare to 'Lovejoy's' in San Francisco... They do give more selection, more quanties of food, more tea selection. Now, that's my #1 choice. Sorry.
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- Rosita 02/19/08
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I had afternoon tea here last week with a friend of mine. It was truly the second best afternoon tea I have ever had! The best, from my experiences, is J Henry House in San Luis Obispo. The food was superb. We were not hurried and had plenty of time to catch up. The staff were all very nice and friendly. The decor and presentation was a little bland - with all white plates and cups, but there are very pretty tea pots served. This may be because it is a luncheon restaurant too, so anyone in your party may order something else besides tea. I enjoyed it!!
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- Julie 01/11/08
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If you want lunch this isn't a bad place, but for a true tea experience, it just doesn't measure up. It is noisy, has clunky cheap porcelain teapots, and you are packed in their small dining room like sardines.
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- Mary B 01/02/08
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This is a great tea room and is one of my top 5 for the Bay Area.
If you make a reservation at this tea room they have a place card with your name and the number in your party on your table.
The pricing is very reasonable and their traditional afternoon tea is excellent. On my last visit we were served:
2 scones - 1 current, 1 lemon poppy seed served with strawberry preserves and whipped cream
4 tea sandwiches - 1 roast beef with horseradish on wheat, 1 egg salad with dill and celery on a sourdough round, 2 cucumber and herbed cream cheese
3 desserts - 1 oatmeal chocolate chip cookie, 1 slice of spice cake with chocolate chips, 1 cashew or almond tartlet pastry
Fresh miniature roses and mint decorated the three tiered serving tray. ... (more)R>
The traditional afternoon tea was nearly perfect (with a minor exception, see below).
The menu also offers lunch selections and salads.
My tea partner and I also shared a salad made of sliced pears, gorgonzola cheese, candied pecans, butter leaf lettuce and a poppy seed dressing. The salad was excellent.
A few suggestions for the owner, however...
On my last visit to this tea room my tea selection was the jasmine pearls. The quality of the tea was excellent. However, there were too many tea leaves in my small pot and the second and third cup from the pot were much too strong (even after a refill). While I understand the wait staff moves around the room refilling tea pots with hot water, the tea would be better brewed with fewer leaves. I think that my pot contained enough tea to create a 8 cup pot to be refilled at least 2 times; my pot held ~3 cups.
My second suggestion would be for the cream used on the scones. The scones were delicious but would be better served with a more traditional clotted or double devonshire cream. The cream that we were served was simply unsweetened heavy whipping cream. I think that changing the whipping cream to the clotted cream could really improve the taste of the scones and the overall experience of the traditional tea service. Please note that the menu says that 'devon cream' is served with the scones but I do not consider fresh whipped cream 'devon cream'
I will definitely return to this tea room but hope that they are able to make a few minor changes that will allow for a more pleasant experience.
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- Anonymous 11/12/07
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I loved everything about it! Wonderful sandwiches, desserts and for my tea choice, I chose the Lavender Rose Black Tea. Service was with a smile in a lovely setting.
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- W 09/12/07
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Great vanilla tea, the daily special of a pear salad with bleu cheese and sugared peacans was to die for. Excellent service from Lisa, friendly fast and I cant wait to go back.
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- Dalene 08/07/07
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