The Empress Tea Room & Divine Menu Catering 6463 West Hillsborough Avenue, Town 'n' Country, FL 33634

"Empress catered my future daughter in laws bridal shower tea party Everything was delicious and set up with such care. We would highly recommend."

"I had a small birthday tea party with a few friends. I corresponded with Kim via email to set things up and she was always quick to respond and accommodate the my request. The place was beautiful and the food and service was wonderful! I have recommended this tea room to others and plan on returning!"

"I would love to give this tea house five stars but much has changed since the last reviews. The location is different than the one addressed online. It is now in a hall like setting geared more towards weddings, baby showers, engagement parties, etc. With that being said, you do not get that cozy and comforting atmosphere feeling. Nor do you get the individualized catered feeling you get at a different location. I walked into the building to what I can only describe as chaos. All the way in the back was a baby shower. To the left looked like a wedding or engagement party. To my right was a group of Red Hat ladies. Right in front of me seemed like a gathering or reunion. Then in the middle spread randomly throughout it seemed were the individual parties. I stood there for a good 15 or more minutes waiting to be greeted. Finally, a lady came who also appeared to be in charge. She sat us at the first table for two in the very front. We had a great view of the harp player on stage. Yes, a harp player. I was impressed with that, too. It was very loud due to all the various conversations being had and the lack of separate rooms for the parties. My guest and I had problems hearing each other so we just sat and ate. The waitress came over and asked us what kind of tea did we want. We were surprised to find out there were only two options. I wanted one option and my guest wanted the other. The waitress told us they only bring one pot out with one flavor to share at a time. This was odd to me as every other tea house gives everyone their own pot. What if one doesn't want that flavor at all the other person wanted? Do they have to wait for the other to finish in order to drink what they want? She agreed to bringing both after I made that point. The teas were pleasant. After tea, she brought out a two tier spread. I have only experienced the three tier spreads and prefer it that way. I felt the items on the second tier were being squished together to fit. The fruit or scones could be on a separate tier or plate from the rest. On the bottom tier were the scones and spread as well as the finger sandwiches. The chicken salad one is usually my second favorite but this time it was not. I think the chicken may have expired or turned. I was disappointed. My favorite sandwich is the cucumber sandwich. This one though had too much bread and not enough spread or cucumber. I recommend removing the top bread piece and putting a longer, thicker cucumber slice. The last two sandwiches neither my guest nor I liked. One was another spread. Not sure what kind but the spread was put on so lightly that you tasted mostly bread. The last sandwich was a pear sandwich. This was interesting and I thought had potential to be the best.. however, my pear was a little hard or stale. On the top tier were chocolate covered strawberries, fruit, etc. I just remembered things being on top of each other and not as nicely presented. When we were done, we had to wait for the lady who greeted us at the entrance to come over to our table to ring us up using her cell phone and a credit card charger adapter. One by one I watched her ring up the Red Hat ladies. There has to be a better less time consuming way to ring out guest. Maybe have them prepay online or over the phone during booking. Maybe set up a register. After we were rung up, we got an emailed receipt. When we left, we walked to my car. The parking was limited. People were parked on the grass as the lot is not big. They may have to make a bigger lot. I will not be returning to this venue until the group parties are separate from the private smaller parties."

"Quirky decor - bit dated. There was no choice of teas - just the brews of the day. Sandwiches were just ok. Best part of the High Tea were the scones & cream which were authentic. They could do better. Pity as this area of Tampa needs a really good English Tea Room."

"My bridal shower was hosted here and our was wonderful. They served two types of tea, finger sandwiches and scones. Really felt like a true tea party. Hard to find in the shopping mall. No real signage except on the door. It's a hidden gem for sure."