El Cerrito

Review

A friend and I visited this lovely tea room! When I walked through the door I immediately noticed the beautiful lavender walls. The table settings were pastel colors and there was a rose on each table! Whimsical references to Alice in Wonderland adorn the walls but you don't get the feeling that this is tea room is only for children.

We ordered from a selection of quality teas. It was difficult to pick a tea from the nineteen selections that were offered! We received our tea quickly! This tea room's method of brewing tea is unusual for an afternoon tea room. A small glass pot is brought that holds around two cups. The tea leaf is in the pot along with a built in strainer! A pot of hot water is provided and you pour it into the glass pot yourself. After the steeping is done you pour the tea into your cup! This works well for the first two cups. When you want more tea you repeat this procedure! However the hot water does cool down so if you are steeping black tea the water won't be boiling for your next infusion. I have brewed tea at an Asian tea house using this method except they had an electric plate for you to set your water pot on so that the water does not cool off too quickly! I recommend ordering a green or white tea that does not need boiling water to infuse the leaves!

We decided to try the Alice's Tea for Two. We were given our choice of finger sandwiches so I ordered the chicken salad and cucumber. Our food came quickly and was tasty. We received eight finger sandwiches, grapes, two scones, six cookies and two petit fours to split between us. The chicken salad was on raisin bread and was quite good! I was impressed that this tea room serves the real clotted cream and lemon curd for your scones! There are many selections of food to choose from including an a la carte menu!

We received prompt and friendly service! Be sure to visit this refreshing tea room! It is well worth the drive from the Sacramento area! This tea room has been closed.

Sample Menu

Alice's Tea for Two

Your choice of two finger sandwich selections, two scones served with preserves, fresh fruit, and an assortment of sweets, served with two pots of tea.

The Cheshire Cat's Tea

Your choice of two finger sandwich selections, a scone served with preserves, and an assortment of sweets, served with a pot of tea.

The Dormouse's Tea

Two scones served with preserves, served with a pot of tea.