Empress Tea Room and Bistro

I used to frequent this establishment, prior to the location in Carrollwood opening. The women that run this beautiful, quaint special spot are both fantastic. They are very proud of their businss, products, service & establishment. Pleasant, knowledge & very eager to please.
High tea is an event to be regarded with dignity, manners, pride, & perhaps some reverence. There is a long standing tradition of «proper», English teas. Each has it’s own time, types of accompaniments & various traditions.
Personally, I love high tea & the practices & rituals that accompany this event. This establishment is small & somewhat humble. They go with a flowery garden motif, over the higher class silver tea service you recieve at establishments of a higher caliber.
The food presented, is similar, but often an Americanized version. The tea sandwiches are quite lacking and the fillings are quite meager. The pastry & sweet levesl of the tea is where many American versions come into play. Riffs on proper English scones, in the form of biscuts, a plain pound cake and some other miss steps occur in this area.
Overall, to me, having had high tea in several countries and & a multitude of times, I find it to be charming, but overpriced for what you receive. I keep returning, as women love to have events, luncheons, special occasions. … here.
Overall the food is mediocre & lacks any special appeal or draw towards it. The food is fine, for what it is, but unfortunately that’s as far as it goes. There is nothing that calls out to you or beckons you, to want more because of the exquisite flavor. You may want more due to the meager portions. Teas are not heavy meals, nor are they intended to be more than a snack.
My disapproval or irreverence comes from offering something near & dear to me, that is not a true representation & an obvious attempt to cut costs.
I’m sure there will be another event that I can’t avoid attending & wind up dining there again, but it will not be by choice.
What’s a girl to do? Hang onto events that deserve to be respected & don’t settle for less than what is expected.