It’s official: The British have invaded St. Louis, and they have come in the form of the London Tea Room! Located on Washington Avenue in downtown St. Louis, the London Tea Room is the perfect place to go for a girls’ day out to enjoy some delicious tea in a fun setting.

Anyone who eats there will definitely agree with the slogan from their website, “Not prim. Not proper. Just bloody good tea.” Bloody good might even be an understatement. The wide array of tea selections offered, ranging from Mango to Lavender Earl Grey to English Breakfast, is sure to satisfy anyone with an open mind. Every flavor of tea is absolutely fantastic. One will feel quite “British” when sipping this delicious tea. You might even adapt an accent if you aren’t careful!

And in order to enjoy their tea, patrons should order an entree to go with it. The London Tea Room’s menu includes funny, witty descriptions about each item. For example, in the blurb about the soups, the menu says, “Ask for our daily selections. Ask nicely and use your inside voice.” These original, humorous descriptions offer significant information presented in a fun way for each and every item. Some favorites among the guests are the Creamy Tomato Soup, the Apple and Brie Sandwich, and the Strawberry Salad. The Tomato Soup is served in an adorable little cup, and is known for its incredible taste as well as its stellar presentation. The Apple and Brie Sandwich is absolutely delicious, holding the perfect apple to cheese ratio. And all of the salads at the London Tea Room are simply delightful. Any menu item that one chooses is sure to be a big hit.

The setting at the London Tea Room is bloody charming. Inspired by the tearooms all across England, the warm and dainty aesthetic puts customers in the perfect British frame of mind. At the quaint little white marble tables and fancy chairs, customers will probably feel as if they have traveled all the way to Britain when in reality they have only driven downtown.

However, the one thing that the London Tea Room lacks in is efficiency. The wait staff tends to be very small, and the service is not the best it could be. The food takes a little while to prepare. However, this does indeed provide more time for relaxation and conversation at the table. If one is going to this restaurant, they should certainly be prepared to stay for longer than normally expected. Then again, an extra long lunch break never hurt anyone.

Despite minor flaws, the London Tea Room is definitely a one-of-a-kind place, and anyone who ventures downtown to check it out and enjoy some tea will be sure to agree. #