Rosemary V.
User's reviews
-
Barbara's Victorian Teahouse and Boutique
Years ago, we were told that to miss a high tea when visiting British Columbia was a serious offense (a man told us this). So my hubby and I dutifully arrived at the Empress Hotel on the Parliament Quad in Victoria without reservations (not a good idea) and managed to squeeze into a lovely tea room overlooking the harbor. What an experience! Even my hubby who squinted at the hefty price “for tea and little sandwiches” was truly impressed. Not planning on going to Victoria? Not to worry, I can highly recommend an Empress experience in Rancho Cucamonga. That is what we discovered at Barbara’s Victorian Teahouse! I held my daughter’s baby shower here and all twenty of us were giddy with delight. What a fun experience. We couldn’t leave her porch after we were done. Delicious delicacies to please our senses, and since 90% of what we eat is with our eyes, we were feasting on the beautifully decorated Victorian home and lovely tables laid out with delights to the eye and tummy. Perfectly brewed teas; we picked loose leaf blends of Strawberry/Raspberry, Tropical/Coconut and an Almond blend for our final dessert tea. I am sure you will find one to love. My favorite food? Hmmm... the chicken salad sandwich - to die for, the raspberry salad dressing - just right, the tomato basil sandwich and Cucumber sandwich – amazing, and... Oh, I cannot choose just one favorite. The very reasonably priced Princess Patricia Tea was very filling and we packed our little boxes with all the pretty little sweets we were too full to finish. I enjoyed them later with of course a cup of tea relishing on our beautiful day. Barbara is incredibly gifted in the Victorian art of hospitality and she gracefully served and pampered each of us. More like we were dear friends than customers. A kindred spirit indeed. She loved on us equally, from the grandma of the white gloves and high tea era to the mommy-to-be and all of us in between. I am a “tea in a pretty teacup” kind of girl and have had many visits to teahouses in Southern California, British Columbia and even a “cuppa” in Bath and London. But this one was icing on my cake! Thanks Barbara for all that you do to make everyone’s visit to your teahouse one to remember. I will go back soon for a little more of that love which we felt in your home. You serve it up best!