Tea at The Empress

Sort by

Filters

1. KE

   KevinE

   Miami

   1 review

   4.0

   1 review

   Dined 2 days ago

   overall4food5service5ambience4

   We enjoyed our time at the T when we were there back in 1999 it was more elegant and a more formal setting more enjoyable and more enjoyable find the key that we drink we were disappointed that we couldn't buy the tea that we had picked to drink we're also disappointed in the shops because we all seem to be the same thing

   Report
2. L

   Lynn

   1 review

   5.0

   1 review

   Dined 2 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Wonderful experience. Paz was a great server and food was awesome and presentation fabulous!

   Report
3. JG

   JohnG

   Jacksonville

   1 review

   3.0

   1 review

   Dined 2 days ago

   overall3food5service5ambience5

   Overall a great experience. Service outstanding and the atmosphere wonderful. Ee ordered one glass of wine and one glass of champagne that came to almost over $80 total There was no wine or champagne list for us to choose from we were shocked to see those prices for average drinks. Go enjoy the tea and food just don't order drinks unless you have a big wallet.

   Report
4. PM

   PhilipM

   San Diego

   2 reviews

   2.0

   2 reviews

   Dined 2 days ago

   overall2food2service3ambience2

   The food had very little taste. The tea was just O.K. The traffic of people and their dogs walking through the restaurant, to get to the other parts of the hotel, while you are having your afternoon tea was disrespectful. The washroom maintenace crew who came in while you were using the facilities never even checked the individual stalls only wiped the sink counter. You would expect much higher standards in such a grand venue. Overall operations management is very poorly represented. I was very embarrassed for my out of province quests whom I introduced to the Empress.

   Report
5. j

   justtryingtohelp

   1 review

   3.0

   1 review

   Dined 3 days ago

   overall3food2service5ambience2

   Tea at the Empress is a bucket list item! The service is like clockwork and well executed. Our tea selection was varied and fun, and having steeping advice, sugar and cream suggestions made for the very best cup. I enjoyed the "Blue suede shoes" green tea, steeped ever so quickly to give the cup a light refreshing flavor with just a small amount of sugar. It is a bluish gray color once steeped and I a bit taken by surprise. Not the most appetizing. The scone were lovely. The sandwiches were mostly ok. The coronation chicken curry was very sweet. The roastbeef with pickled onions was more to my liking. But the desserts...bleh. They looked so beautiful but were really a let down. The matcha was so strong it was bitter. The rose so strong in the macaron it was like soap! The orange in the chocolate cup had no acid and was just so sweet it barely tasted like anything and the chocolate mouse was thick and stodgy or maybe it was supposed to be ganache but it wasn't silky. The raspberry foam was a disgusting texture against the gelatinous "cheese cake" and the pate sable too hard that after squishing through the fillings only to chomp on a extra sturdy shortbread. Awful flavor and mouthfeel. Expected much more from the price point. Ambiance of a pianist playing pop songs and the fumes from the sea planes wafting spent jet fuel into the air dampened the feeling of the service being a grand experience. The combination of a staff working so hard, the less than average food, the fumes, plus the $90 price tag seems like this bucket list item is a bit over-rated.

   Report
6. D

   Donna0

   Seattle

   1 review

   1.0

   1 review

   Dined 3 days ago

   overall1food2service3ambience1

   Very, very, very crowded. Tables areas were only a couple arms length beside each other. And as expected from trying to fit in as many folks as possible, the space was quite noisy. Definitely not my definition of what an ideal relaxing afternoon tea should be. The area was also dark and poorly lit. It is absolutely not what is shown in their pictures. The space for afternoon tea is not a dedicated room and passers by will see everyone in the dining area - I thought there was going to be more privacy but really, you are just situated in a hotel lobby. For an Afternoon Tea, it definitely lacked variety - there were only 10 teas to choose from (2 were unavailable from their selection of 12). The food itself was not great. The desserts lacked variety -three of the desserts had raspberry. The egg sandwich and cucumber sandwich was bland. The curry one was good. The scones, I have to concede, were great with the clotted cream. The only other two things I liked - the live piano player and our server Wayne who was very helpful. The front desk lady was not very friendly either.

   Report
7. r

   raclah

   Philadelphia

   17 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   17 reviews

   Dined 3 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Wonderful experience just a bit expensive. The Empress is a beautiful hotel and the service was excellent. We really enjoyed ourselves!

   Report
8. CJ

   CJSzuch

   1 review

   4.0

   1 review

   Dined 3 days ago

   overall4food3service4ambience3

   We enjoyed our time at the Empress and the tea/food was delightful. Although I do believe that $200 for tea (for two people) is excessive, it was a nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon. This experience was gifted to us, and probably the only reason we would go.

   Report
9. a

   alaskak8

   Denver

   136 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   136 reviews

   Dined 3 days ago

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Great experience. Good food, good service, lots of fun.

   Report
10. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Sydney

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 3 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The high tea was very special, hotel was amazing and would thoroughly recommend.

    Report
11. j

    joans

    New York Area

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    A decadent treat but something that would be hard to reproduce at home. Tea choices a little flowery, a few more traditional choices would be welcome.

    Report
12. H

    Hokie26

    Charleston

    32 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    32 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall3food3service5ambience5

    Service was outstanding. Food was mediocre. Price was gouging! Been there, done that!

    Report
13. DC

    DenaC

    Phoenix

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    I have always wanted to have high tea at the Empress and it was phenomenal. I made a reservation the day before and expressed gluten free and dairy free diet restrictions. They were accommodating and the food was delicious. Casual clothing is ok. If you’re considering, this is an unforgettable experience.

    Report
14. G

    Gigi

    Seattle

    52 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    52 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service4ambience5

    Second visit . . . It is always a fun experience!

    Report
15. r

    roma

    Denver

    14 reviews

    2.0

    14 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall2food3service3ambience2

    It was very deceiving that we thought the champagne was included in the $95 per person.

    Report
16. KR

    KarenR

    Vancouver

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    The service was excellent, as was the decor and the food. The china was lovely too. Between the conversations, the clanging dishes and the too loud piano music, the noise level, definitely detracted from the overall experience.

    Report
17. JP

    JudieP

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall2food2service4ambience2

    Very disappointing overall! Way overpriced with very little atmosphere and food was very mediocre. Desserts did not taste freshly made either

    Report
18. W

    Will

    Vancouver

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall5food4service4ambience5

    The atmosphere is very good with the classic architecture and English setting

    Report
19. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Was just amazing!

    Report
20. JW

    JoanW

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Our wonderful waiter had a lovely sense of humor that matched our own; his elegant appearance and presentation matched the elegance of the room. The excellent camaraderie between our two waiters mtched the levity of our happy table and kept us entertained. Everything was clearly explained, and we especially dessert chocolate teacup shapes filled truffles. The live music from the grand piano was especially appreciated, as we get weary of hearing Muzak constantly elsewhere. The management reacted quickly to my two changes to the original reservation (we added 2 people to our table, and asked to be near our friends at another table). Thank you for a memorable afternoon!

    Report
21. J

    Jane

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall3food2service5ambience4

    If you want it on your resume that you had tea at the Empress, well go ahead. I did. I did, and I will not do it again. The setting is awesome. The service was too. The food was mediocre, and so, unbelievably, was the tea. We decided not to pay extra to get premium tea--frankly I thought tea at the Empress would already to premium--so we opted for their most popular teas. Ugh. Don't do it. If you are already paying $100 for the tea, what's another $10 to get some decent tea.

    Report
22. SF

    SunFan

    Seattle

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The food and service were amazing. Our waiter Paul was a wealth of information. The piano music was perfect. They were able customize my request. It was more than tea. It was an experience. I will definitely come back.

    Report
23. CS

    CindyS

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The most outstanding food served by friendly, professional staff. Very pleasant piano music provided great ambience.

    Report
24. CJ

    CatherineJ

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    They were very accommodating with my husband’s food allergies. The food, music, and especially tea made a wonderful experience.

    Report
25. DI

    DanaI

    Central Coast

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    A wonderful place to enjoy tea...breathtaking views and atmosphere, staff makes you feel like royalty.

    Report
26. SP

    SugengP

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined 7 days ago

    overall3food4service4ambience4

    At near $200 for two, this certainly overpriced. It is on my bucket list so it must happen, although I might be a victim of tourism trap. That being said, I have enjoyed the ambiance, great tea and the food.

    Report
27. MC

    MayC

    San Francisco

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on September 27, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Good food! Everything is so pretty!

    Report
28. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    11 reviews

    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on September 27, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Everyone should have high tea at the Empress once in their life. I've had it twice, 45 years apart. The second time was as good as the first.

    Report
29. S

    Soitour

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 27, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    It was overall a very lovely and special experience for our 3 couples. The server Raymond was great. We chose 4 different teas out of the 12 or so available, which had distinct perfumed taste. When we looked at the tray, it seemed that it would not be enough. But, after we had had the scrumptious and rich scones, sandwiches and mini desserts, interspersed with tea, we felt full. The atmosphere was out of the ordinary with the music played by pianists at times. We felt how it could have been when the high society had tea. We had the vista of the beautiful harbor depending on where one was sitting. It was a first for most of us; the ladies appreciated the overall experience more than the gentlemen. We would not go to this Fairmont again because it is pricey to redo the experience. We know that we paid for the food, the location, the setting, the service and the atmosphere. The ladies would possibly experience other Fairmont places for tea on special occasions.

    Report
30. DW

    DavidW

    Portland

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on September 26, 2022

    overall3food4service5ambience2

    Expectations focused on traditions of Victorian life are quite dashed by the realities of a tourist trap. Not to say that the tea and tower of finger food aren’t good. They are and the servers work quite hard to please, but when presented with a bill of just under $200 for two people, no extras, one is compelled to wonder if the experience was worth it. Originally seated with an intimate view of the bussing area, we were reseated with little fuss. Others in the large noisy room were primarily engaged with taking photos and I wondered if very many cared one way or the other about the quality of their choice of tea. All in all the ambiance (or lack thereof) overwhelmed the nostalgic mythology

    Report
31. KA

    KentA

    San Francisco

    16 reviews

    5.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on September 26, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Tea at The Empress you must do once. And, go full on with Laurent Perrier champagne! Dress for the occasion. Shorts, ball caps etc is not enjoyed by any other guest. This is a nice event so dress accordingly please.

    Report
32. O

    Overpriced

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 26, 2022

    overall2food2service3ambience3

    Far too expensive for what was provided. At Fortnum and Mason's in London, afternoon tea is half the price and twice as good. A disappointment.

    Report
33. MB

    MarkB

    Poconos

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on September 26, 2022

    overall4food4service4ambience3

    Thought it was a bit overpriced for the value. Very noisy. Lacked expected elegance. Felt like a tourist trap.

    Report
34. H

    Hols

    Vancouver

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 26, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Tea was amazing. Such a wonderful experience.thank you

    Report
35. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 26, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    On a 3 week cruise in and around Alaska, Canada and the pacific coast! Love your stunning city and always make time for tea at the beautiful Empress Hotel. ❤️

    Report
36. z

    zachm

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 26, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The entire experience was exceptional. I have dietary restrictions, we informed them in advance and absolutely everything was looked after, no issues, no fuss. The food quality is exceptional and the service was impeccable. Would highly recommend.

    Report
37. J

    Julia

    Vancouver

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 25, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Perfect. Wonderful food, great service, beautiful venue.

    Report
38. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Orange County

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on September 25, 2022

    overall4food3service4ambience4

    It was a beautiful tea time

    Report
39. LC

    LauraC

    St. Louis

    18 reviews

    5.0

    18 reviews

    Dined on September 25, 2022

    overall5food5service4ambience5

    The food was amazing, selection of teas was outstanding & the room was magnificent along with the live piano music. Great experience.

    Report
40. MP

    MargaretP

    Seattle

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on September 25, 2022

    overall3food3service5ambience1

    Had not been to the Empress Tea for 20 years. It was a special celebration for my birthday. I made reservations many months in advance. The seating hostess first took us to a table right next to the area entrance, about 3 inches from the moving crowd. That was not acceptable and when I requested another location she obliged. The food and service was very nice. However, the atmosphere was one of overcrowding and noise. My recommendation is to cut out a few tables to retain a more exclusive atmosphere and noise level. It just isn't as special as it once was, and I will be looking for another location for my next Tea experience.

    Report