When we reserved, it was for brunch. Didn't say there was a mandatory tea event ($65/head) on top of what we reserved for. This baiting is extremely unprofessional and unacceptable. They may have this at the venue, but on our public end, it doesn't say anything like that. A betrayal of trust especially on first time visits will always ruin a networking connection. A market stratgey done by unclassier business whoch i did not expect from this place. The process is highly questionable. U might have gained (for 3) but u lose a forever foodie who are accomplished people. Whoever has this idea must be held accountable for fooling many people.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
NICK
They did not show when we book that it is for their tea experience or for their brunch, which is completely misleading and somewhat bad. My tea cup had a chip on it. I went there because I reserved for brunch through OpenTable. But when we got there, we were shown with a T Experience, which is $65 on top of our brunch orders. This is completely unprofessional and unacceptable. The inside operation clearly does not coordinate with the outside operations specially with Reservations. Spoke to Ashley the receptionist after we had the experience, and was told that reservations were only for the tea experience, which clearly did not say anything when we book it at the open table. And it's not likely that they have chosen purpose, but it looks like they do need to relate this during the Reservation process, which is they did not and that made them look intentional. The food are ordinary they're not comparable to Bib Garmaund or Michelin quality. Then they sent me an email to recovery. But the ohone is hotel line. Without any extension to directly resolve it. What a disgust.
Lisa
Disappointing. We were seated 30 minutes after our reservation. Servers were not friendly and the food was as if it had been sitting out for a while. It was very expensive for what we received.We would not go again.
paolo
I was very happy with the service I received 1/2/26 for the tea service. The servers were very kind and attentive. I enjoyed the food especially the lemon curd that came with the first serving.
Catherine
Totally enjoyed our Christmas tea! Will try to make reservations earlier next year so could sit in the decorated room with the harp. Our server David was a joy. Will definitely return and for other high teas.
Mary
Beautiful room, good service, tea was delicious, food was good. Unfortunately, too many fees over the already pricey cost.
Agne
I attended the "high" tea at the Colonial Room. The first plate that was brought to us had an m&m cookie on it! It is advertised as a "high " tea, so needless to say it was beyond disappointing to see an m&m cookie along side of scones. After the sight of the m&m cookie I didn't have high expectations. All the sweets were too sweet ( I know sweets supposed to be sweet, but these were cheap and overly sweet). To summarize, I would not recommend attending "high " at the Drake. The price you pay doesn't match what you'll get.
Jenna
Food quality was not worth the price at all. The bread for the sandwiches were stale (I assume they were sitting out all day) and scones were horrible. I've been to tea at the Drake downtown and was expecting the same quality. This experience unfortunately fell short.
Soo
Over priced and not worth the effort. Not the same as down town but about the same price. It's basically a factory setting where they want to turn tables.
Emily Mazzacavallo
Update: a message was sent to their customer service email and we received no response. It seems they only care to present a facade of caring on Google reviews.
Worst tea experience I've ever had. I have been to many high-end teas (Peninsula, Allis, Russian Tea Room, etc.) in addition to local small teas. So you can trust me when I say - do NOT waste your money.
The room was packed and boiling lava hot. I was getting slammed by the chair behind me throughout. It was so loud I couldn't hear the person next to me let alone the servers, who, by the way, were nowhere to be found.
I was given the wrong tea, which took 45 minutes to remedy, the plates were plopped down with no explanation or care, and, when finished, it took 40 minutes and five different requests to servers passing by to get the check.
The sandwiches were pretty much inedible and the pastries tasted like they had picked them up at the Walmart bakery. Pure sugar and zero finesse. It was a beautiful-looking, gross array of items.
I cannot believe we had to spend so much money on what was not just disappointing but an actively uncomfortable experience. I went home and ate kraft Mac N Cheese with my seven year old daughter who had accompanied me and we were both far more satisfied than with anything we'd previously eaten.
Dined at the Colonial Room for the Dickens Christmas Dinner on December 12th. Experience started off with having to wait 30 minutes before waitstaff stopped by our table. We didn’t get our drinks until 45 minutes after being seated. There was a VERY large holiday party going on in the lobby bar that was very loud, so we couldn’t hear the carol singers we paid to hear. The food was very good and the highlight. The evening was topped off with the loud holiday party moving to the ballroom just on the other side of the thin wall, so it managed to get even louder. A mashup of Frosty the Snowman and It’s Getting Hot In Here is not what we were after. Extremely disappointed and the Drake should be ashamed for charging so much for such a poor experience. Hosting that large of a holiday party on the same night as the Dickens Christmas Dinner was poor planning or just plain greed.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 4
Service: 1
Monique Andrea
We came for afternoon tea with a group of 11, including two vegetarians and one gluten-free guest, and unfortunately the experience fell far below expectations.
To start, we sat for 30 minutes without a single staff member checking on us. We eventually had to get up and ask if we even had a server. When someone finally arrived, there was no explanation of how the afternoon tea service worked—no overview, no process, nothing. We waited even longer before tea was served, and there was no tea menu. Instead, someone simply walked around with a box of loose teas and told us to pick one, without any descriptions.
The food was especially disappointing.
• Gluten-free: The sandwiches were decent, but the desserts were incredibly dry, and the two cookies were so stale they crumbled like dust.
• Vegetarian: One of the sandwiches was literally tofu with a single slice of tomato.
• Regular items: Multiple people said the scones were hard as a rock, and overall the food lacked flavor, freshness, and care.
For a $95 per person experience (including tax and gratuity), the quality and service were nowhere near acceptable. We spoke with the manager and received 10% off, but given the overall experience, we would not return.
monique brandonisio
We came for afternoon tea with a group of 11, including two vegetarians and one gluten-free guest, and unfortunately the experience fell far below expectations.
To start, we sat for 30 minutes without a single staff member checking on us. We eventually had to get up and ask if we even had a server. When someone finally arrived, there was no explanation of how the afternoon tea service worked—no overview, no process, nothing. We waited even longer before tea was served, and there was no tea menu. Instead, someone simply walked around with a box of loose teas and told us to pick one, without any descriptions.
The food was especially disappointing. • Gluten-free: The sandwiches were decent, but the desserts were incredibly dry, and the two cookies were so stale they crumbled like dust. • Vegetarian: One of the sandwiches was literally tofu with a single slice of tomato. • Regular items: Multiple people said the scones were hard as a rock, and overall the food lacked flavor, freshness, and care.
For a $95 per person experience (including tax and gratuity), the quality and service were nowhere near acceptable. We spoke with the manager and received 10% off, but given the overall experience, we would not return.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
Vicki
This was our third year enjoying Holiday Tea at the Drake. What a lovely experience! The service was top-notch and attentive; the tea selection was fabulous - so hard to choose just one. And the treats were all so delicious! We felt very spoiled! We'll definitely be back next year.
Jim
Definitely not worth the price, the tea was good, the food was bad, like all of it. We had to go eat after we spent $300 for 2 adults and 2 kids. If there is a way to sit and drink tea, do that, but the "experience" is not worth it.
When we reserved, it was for brunch. Didn't say there was a mandatory tea event ($65/head) on top of what we reserved for. This baiting is extremely unprofessional and unacceptable. They may have this at the venue, but on our public end, it doesn't say anything like that. A betrayal of trust especially on first time visits will always ruin a networking connection. A market stratgey done by unclassier business whoch i did not expect from this place. The process is highly questionable. U might have gained (for 3) but u lose a forever foodie who are accomplished people. Whoever has this idea must be held accountable for fooling many people.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
They did not show when we book that it is for their tea experience or for their brunch, which is completely misleading and somewhat bad. My tea cup had a chip on it. I went there because I reserved for brunch through OpenTable. But when we got there, we were shown with a T Experience, which is $65 on top of our brunch orders. This is completely unprofessional and unacceptable. The inside operation clearly does not coordinate with the outside operations specially with Reservations. Spoke to Ashley the receptionist after we had the experience, and was told that reservations were only for the tea experience, which clearly did not say anything when we book it at the open table. And it's not likely that they have chosen purpose, but it looks like they do need to relate this during the Reservation process, which is they did not and that made them look intentional. The food are ordinary they're not comparable to Bib Garmaund or Michelin quality. Then they sent me an email to recovery. But the ohone is hotel line. Without any extension to directly resolve it. What a disgust.
Disappointing. We were seated 30 minutes after our reservation. Servers were not friendly and the food was as if it had been sitting out for a while. It was very expensive for what we received.We would not go again.
I was very happy with the service I received 1/2/26 for the tea service. The servers were very kind and attentive. I enjoyed the food especially the lemon curd that came with the first serving.
Totally enjoyed our Christmas tea! Will try to make reservations earlier next year so could sit in the decorated room with the harp. Our server David was a joy. Will definitely return and for other high teas.
Beautiful room, good service, tea was delicious, food was good. Unfortunately, too many fees over the already pricey cost.
I attended the "high" tea at the Colonial Room. The first plate that was brought to us had an m&m cookie on it! It is advertised as a "high " tea, so needless to say it was beyond disappointing to see an m&m cookie along side of scones. After the sight of the m&m cookie I didn't have high expectations. All the sweets were too sweet ( I know sweets supposed to be sweet, but these were cheap and overly sweet). To summarize, I would not recommend attending "high " at the Drake. The price you pay doesn't match what you'll get.
Food quality was not worth the price at all. The bread for the sandwiches were stale (I assume they were sitting out all day) and scones were horrible. I've been to tea at the Drake downtown and was expecting the same quality. This experience unfortunately fell short.
Over priced and not worth the effort. Not the same as down town but about the same price. It's basically a factory setting where they want to turn tables.
Update: a message was sent to their customer service email and we received no response. It seems they only care to present a facade of caring on Google reviews.
Worst tea experience I've ever had. I have been to many high-end teas (Peninsula, Allis, Russian Tea Room, etc.) in addition to local small teas. So you can trust me when I say - do NOT waste your money.
The room was packed and boiling lava hot. I was getting slammed by the chair behind me throughout. It was so loud I couldn't hear the person next to me let alone the servers, who, by the way, were nowhere to be found.
I was given the wrong tea, which took 45 minutes to remedy, the plates were plopped down with no explanation or care, and, when finished, it took 40 minutes and five different requests to servers passing by to get the check.
The sandwiches were pretty much inedible and the pastries tasted like they had picked them up at the Walmart bakery. Pure sugar and zero finesse. It was a beautiful-looking, gross array of items.
I cannot believe we had to spend so much money on what was not just disappointing but an actively uncomfortable experience. I went home and ate kraft Mac N Cheese with my seven year old daughter who had accompanied me and we were both far more satisfied than with anything we'd previously eaten.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Restaurantji Recommends
Dined at the Colonial Room for the Dickens Christmas Dinner on December 12th. Experience started off with having to wait 30 minutes before waitstaff stopped by our table. We didn’t get our drinks until 45 minutes after being seated. There was a VERY large holiday party going on in the lobby bar that was very loud, so we couldn’t hear the carol singers we paid to hear. The food was very good and the highlight. The evening was topped off with the loud holiday party moving to the ballroom just on the other side of the thin wall, so it managed to get even louder. A mashup of Frosty the Snowman and It’s Getting Hot In Here is not what we were after. Extremely disappointed and the Drake should be ashamed for charging so much for such a poor experience. Hosting that large of a holiday party on the same night as the Dickens Christmas Dinner was poor planning or just plain greed.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 4
Service: 1
We came for afternoon tea with a group of 11, including two vegetarians and one gluten-free guest, and unfortunately the experience fell far below expectations. To start, we sat for 30 minutes without a single staff member checking on us. We eventually had to get up and ask if we even had a server. When someone finally arrived, there was no explanation of how the afternoon tea service worked—no overview, no process, nothing. We waited even longer before tea was served, and there was no tea menu. Instead, someone simply walked around with a box of loose teas and told us to pick one, without any descriptions. The food was especially disappointing. • Gluten-free: The sandwiches were decent, but the desserts were incredibly dry, and the two cookies were so stale they crumbled like dust. • Vegetarian: One of the sandwiches was literally tofu with a single slice of tomato. • Regular items: Multiple people said the scones were hard as a rock, and overall the food lacked flavor, freshness, and care. For a $95 per person experience (including tax and gratuity), the quality and service were nowhere near acceptable. We spoke with the manager and received 10% off, but given the overall experience, we would not return.
We came for afternoon tea with a group of 11, including two vegetarians and one gluten-free guest, and unfortunately the experience fell far below expectations.
To start, we sat for 30 minutes without a single staff member checking on us. We eventually had to get up and ask if we even had a server. When someone finally arrived, there was no explanation of how the afternoon tea service worked—no overview, no process, nothing. We waited even longer before tea was served, and there was no tea menu. Instead, someone simply walked around with a box of loose teas and told us to pick one, without any descriptions.
The food was especially disappointing.
• Gluten-free: The sandwiches were decent, but the desserts were incredibly dry, and the two cookies were so stale they crumbled like dust.
• Vegetarian: One of the sandwiches was literally tofu with a single slice of tomato.
• Regular items: Multiple people said the scones were hard as a rock, and overall the food lacked flavor, freshness, and care.
For a $95 per person experience (including tax and gratuity), the quality and service were nowhere near acceptable. We spoke with the manager and received 10% off, but given the overall experience, we would not return.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
This was our third year enjoying Holiday Tea at the Drake. What a lovely experience! The service was top-notch and attentive; the tea selection was fabulous - so hard to choose just one. And the treats were all so delicious! We felt very spoiled! We'll definitely be back next year.
Definitely not worth the price, the tea was good, the food was bad, like all of it. We had to go eat after we spent $300 for 2 adults and 2 kids. If there is a way to sit and drink tea, do that, but the "experience" is not worth it.
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