Tea Box

I don't know what happened to those folks who slammed this place, but my husband and I are quite happy with it. We've been there a couple of times now and every time, the service was excellent, as were the teas. We only ordered something to nibble whilst sipping tea, so cannot comment on the lunch menu. It's a lovely little place that we hope to frequent often. I only wish it would stay open longer hours!
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summerskies - View all reviews by this user
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Friday, October 23, 2009

Calling ALL tea lovers, This place is actually as fantastic as the 1st reviewer provided write-up says.

I have to say I was somewhat puzzled by the difference in the reviews below vs the original. So me and my girlfriend decided to investigate. Having been there yesterday, we are with the 1st reviewer, so thank you for helping, its just like you described.

I found the Tea Box to be both warm and welcoming with a least 50 teas to choose from.... Amazing!. On arrival we were greeted by one of the staff, shown to our table and asked if we were familiar with the various Tea's on offer. I was but my girlfriend had a Tea selected for her by the waiter after a few questions about her drinking habits! This turned out to be vanilla black which she enjoyed so much she even bought some to take home.

We also had fresh cut sandwiches and devon cream with scones which were warm and just simply delicious.

If your out and about in Richmond and fancy a quality place to do tea.. do it here.

And finally... to those other reviewers... your loss is my gain. Thanks again this and a few other sites for finding my new favorite place
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10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Sunday, July 19, 2009

This is the absolutely worst place I have ever dined at. I went with a group of 12 people who arrived on time, ordered on time and didn't change any minds. What we got in return was after 45 minutes when our food finally arrived, being told that we had to leave in 15 minutes (despite previously being told we had 2 hours), manager who then badgered our group organiser (in front of the whole group), going to great lengths to state she was right and our group was wrong (including lying about the fact they had to rearrange the restaurant for us - they didn't, we did, and that we were late - we weren't, we literally arrived all on time).

The food was medicore, but the service was by far the most appalling experience of my life. I would never return there and I will be spreading the word that this is not only the worst high tea venue, but worst dining venue I have ever known.
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Don''t Go Here
1 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 1
Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Just returned to my office from The Tea Box with 3 colleagues and it was honestly one of the single worst experience I have ever had at a restaurant/cafe/tea house.

We ordered 2 high teas and 2 afternoon teas - pretty standard for a tea house!!

The place was half empty with at least 6 members of staff (that we could see) probably more in the kitchen I'd imagine.

The tea arrived fine and mine was actually fine-my colleagues thought theirs tasted of nothing, despite letting them brew to 'strong' according to the timer we were given.

It took 45 minutes for our finger sandwiches to arrive!!!?? No apology, nothing, even though we had already explained that we had to get back to work soon. At this point we asked for our scones and cakes to be packaged up for us to take away.

My two colleagues who'd ordered the high tea were given 1 plate of scrambled egg & smoked salmon to share across the 2 small tables we were sitting at, which is pretty awkward in itself. We asked for the bill at this point since we were short on time.

My colleague also asked for 1 extra slice of toast. Half of the sandwiches which came with the afternoon tea for me and my colleague were cucumber sandwiches on white bread and the bread was VERY stale.

The bill arrived-we had been charged £1 for the extra slice of toast?! Which we asked if they would waive, seeing as we had waited so long. We were told no. My colleague took one of the cucumber sandwiches in to complain about the bread & was told that its not stale, and we just do not understand bakery bread?? The owner, Gemma, did not seem to care at all and just argued on every point.

Then when we all went in to pay & said we were disappointed that she did not seem to care that we had a bad experience she went on to say it was our fault &?! I could go on but I am out of characters!

We paid full price (12.95 each) and left. Oh & the cakes we took away were horrible too!! Stay clear.
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James Worthington
1 Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 0
Friday, July 10, 2009