Like many other reviewers we went here on a "group-on". Not sure if that automatically sets the tone for the afternoon? The doorman was incredibly friendly, but the hostess was cold to the point of being rude. We were told our service was at 3pm. So we arrived for 3pm - only to find out it was 330. There is nowhere to really wait in the hotel and the ice blast from the hostess made it quite an unpleasant experience.
So why 3 stars? It does go up from here :)
Although the tea rooms are quite crowded (tables close together) the chairs and banquette are plush and really comfortable! The table setting is rich and felt very luxurious. To top off the experience, for $5 (for charity) they have traditional english high tea hats (the colourful, large brimmed hats you see on royalty or at the Kentucky derby). Super fun (yes cheesy too).
The tea selection was fantastic. A leather bound booklet of options from black - green - white - herbal etc... Something for everyone. I chose traditional earl grey as its a favorite of mine. You can buy teas to go as well (in the most adorable white/blue china patterned tea boxes) but at $20 box its a bit steep.
The tea service came on a triple level cookie serving tray. The mini quiches were not good, but the scones....oh my! Melt in your mouth - fresh baked - bites of heaven. Add the fresh clotted cream and home made preserves and I could have stopped right there. The amount of powdered sugar was the only issue (no way to eat these without wearing some of it). Given you get all "gussied up" to come here, they might go a little easier on the sugar.
The finger sandwiches were actually mini sandwich roll-ups. I make these all the time for parties cause they are easy to do ahead of time. And it showed on some of the sandwiches (bread was dried out from sitting). The salmon roll-ups with caviar were fresh made and delish! The cucumber not so much. The chicken salad was nothing spectacular but was good.
The petit fours were super decadent - but after a full pot of team and scones we were getting pretty full. They only give 4 (and all different flavors/kinds) so that makes it hard to share.
Finally the raspberry sorbet - a fantastic ending. It wasnt overly sweet, just enough to cleanse the palate leaving the full fruit flavor on the tongue. That I would have bought to take home!
You can opt to add Prosecco to your tea service (we didnt) and they have other options for high tea if you are not on a coupon.
Our waitress was amazing. I am sure we couldnt have been her only table but she made us feel like we were. Quick to refill tea pots, clotted cream, extra napkins etc... and then once we were done she (nicely) disappeared to allow us to talk the afternoon away with our tea. We never felt rushed, even when we ended up being the last people there. It was a wonderful way to while away the afternoon.
Despite the hostess and some of the food being just average, the high points more than make up for it and we will definitely go back and try some of the other high tea options