Gerri's Tea Room is a charming establishment situated in Long Grove, just a 40-minute drive north of Chicago. They offer reservations through their website, available from Wednesday to Monday between 10:30 AM and 4 PM. When it comes to tea, they provide three options to choose from. There's a children's tea available for $30, while the adult teas (for those aged 11 and above) start at $50 per person for a delightful four-course experience. As for parking, Gerri's Tea Room offers a small parking lot right in front of the tea house, and street parking available as well.
Atmosphere
Gerri's Tea Room embodies the quintessential image of a traditional afternoon tea setting. The ambiance is inviting, featuring several tables adorned with charming settings, a fireplace, and tasteful tea ware complemented by lovely paintings. It strikes a good balance between quaint simplicity and tasteful decoration, creating a welcoming atmosphere.
Tea Experience
Upon entering, my guest and I were promptly greeted and seated by Gerri. I particularly appreciated the glass table top, while I would hope that other tea houses with tablecloths change them after each guest, having a glass top alleviated any concerns in that regard. Gerri took the time to explain our menu option, which happened to be the four-course selection. It's worth noting that there is no tea selection; instead, just the house blend, a combination of English Breakfast and Earl Grey. While it was enjoyable, it would have been nice to have a few more tea options available to cater to different preferences. The four-course meal consisted of a soup, followed by delightful tea sandwiches, scones, and finally, dessert, which consisted of custard, and macarons. Gerri was attentive and ensured we had everything we needed. I did have to request for the music to be turned on, however, I believe this was due to our reservation being right when the tea room opened. Refills were generously offered and readily available, although given the portion sizes, we found ourselves content without needing extra servings. I must commend Gerri shared that she made a special trip to the store to find a suitable substitute to accommodate my guest's dietary restrictions. While we truly appreciated her efforts, she did mention this on three separate occasions, which started to feel a tad uncomfortable. As for the food itself, it was satisfactory, featuring classic afternoon tea staples such as open-faced cucumber sandwiches, egg sandwiches, and smoked salmon sandwiches.
Overall Score
High Tea With Gerri was fine, nothing stood out as exceptional or disappointingly lackluster, it was an enjoyable experience overall. In terms of value, High Tea With Gerri falls on the higher end of the price spectrum when compared to the limited selection of other afternoon tea options available in the Chicago suburbs. Personally, I found it to be a decent experience but not one that left a lasting impression. Considering the selection and quality High Tea with Gerri earns a 2.5 stars out of 5.
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