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Captain's Cottage
Rating Details »
- Price Range:
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- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
8 reviews for Captain's Cottage
I just went to the Captain's Cottage today with a couple of friends. This place is great. It's super cute from the decor to the friendly lady who serves you and welcomes you. She's really nice and occasionally mentions the Captain, which is quite entertaining. There is a wide selection of tea to choose from, I personally had the Buckingham Palace Garden Party tea, which our hostess says the Queen drinks. And how does she know the Queen drinks this tea, you may ask? Well, she calls her of course.
Along with the tea she serves crumpets, scones, sandwiches, salad and a little dessert. It was all very nice. The price was great. It's only $17 per person! You really can't beat the price.
Things to remember: 1) it's reservation only, 2) they serve between 11am-1pm
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Adorable, friendly lady who owns and does the serving at this place, please forgive me for uploading a pic of you even though I implied that it was just for my birthday photo album. I just couldn't resist. You are a huge part of why this place is so special.
Other things that make this place special: you are surrounded by lots and lots of British, tea and related items for sale. It's overwhelming in a good way---like being cocooned in tea ambiance. The decor is definitely girly, with the exception of the captain's private room, which is in a nautical theme and can be reserved for private parties.
We sat at what I considered the best table closest to the fireplace (I don't think it's functional) on little couches.
I also love that there are three courses served at separate times: scones and crumpets with Devonshire cream, jam and lemon curd; tea sandwiches (unfortunately with the crusts still on) and salad; and tiny desserts. This means that your goodies aren't getting air-dried as you eat and even though the lady is working by herself most of the time, this means that she is guaranteed to come back at some point to give you another course and then you can order more hot water, cream or whatever. BTW, I'm not sure why some people are complaining that the food is bad. I have had high tea in almost every place that serves it in the Bay Area and the food here was great. Much better than the food at the Palace, for example, for much less.
This is a much more genuine and fun experience than going to a hotel for tea. Plus, it's much cheaper than hotel tea. Unfortunately, you will need a car to get there. But I never realized how beautiful Pinole is. Actually, I never realized that there was such a place as Pinole.
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I personally love Captain's Cottage- it's by far my favorite tea place (aargh, how did you beat me to the first review on this?! ), and here's why-
At Captain's Cottage you are met by the proprietor, who is dressed in a late 19th century New England housekeeping outfit- she serves the tea and snacks, and will occaisionally mention "The Captain" and his adventures. The Captain is of course completely fictional.
The decor is entirely in-theme as a charming New England bed&breakfast parlor with a nautical look, and each room has a slightly different flavor with matching china service.
While the food isn't that impressive, it is on the cheap side and there is certainly a lot of it. In addition, it is very creatively (!) described on the little menu. When your bill arrives, sometimes it is packaged as a "letter from the captain," which I always find hysterical.
As another tea-reviewing site phrased it, the overall experience is a bit like visiting an eccentric aunt. The theme is so consistent that it's kind of like the Renaissance Faire or Dickens Faire, with the server acting her role while she executes the tea service.
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I love this place! While the food is not always the absolute best, you can't beat the charm of this place or the wackiness of the lady who owns the place. This place is the perfect combination of victorian charm (80%) and modern wackiness (20%).
It is also very reasonably priced. I think it costs $17 a person and includes tax and tip, which is a value, especially if you host a party there. It also makes for a cheap and relaxing afternoon.
It is my favorite tea place, and I have been to many.
Update 5/13/07: After trying many more places. including the "famed Fairmont", this is still my favorite!!!
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Update: 02/01/08
Though I haven't revisted, I plan to. I have learned that the menu has been updated.
They now have a Richmond baker making fresh scones and have added traditional English crumpets as well to the first course. The second and third courses have been combined, and all sandwiches are closed face on Beckmann's Bakery bread. The second course also includes two warm savory selections (currently serving a petite cheese souffle and a mushroom turnover) which is served with baby greens and a maple-mustard vinaigrette dressing. Dessert is a trio of demitasse desserts (currently a chocolate truffle, a mini coconut macaroon and a shortbread tea biscuit).
There is a lot of whimsy, doilies, teddy bears and frilly knick knacks and Brian D's report is very accurate.
The owner, Lois Boyle. decided she liked hosting teas in a 19th century parlor after organizing a fund raising tea for 200 for the Richmond Museum. She thought other people would enjoy sipping tea from her pretty antique china while sitting on furniture from her family home.
There are 27 loose leaf teas to choose from which are actually good.
I've deleted the rest of the review because the food has changed. I'll update when I re-visit. It would be lovely to have a local tea room that has both good food and atmosphere.
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Though adorable because of the smiling, bonneted old woman serving the tea, the fare here was regrettably substandard. The actual tea part was fine -- it'd be difficult to mess that up -- but the cottage smelled a little funky and several of the items were store bought (think pirouettes served on a glass platter and seafood salad served on pringles). The maple scones in the beginning were good, and because I was there for a small bachelorette event, I still enjoyed the overall event. Lisa's Tea Treasures or Lovejoy's are much better picks, though. Apologies to the lovely old woman in the bonnet, who also clearly owned the place.
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My friend and I were very excited to go to the Captain's Cottage, and turned up at 1:15pm on Saturday but found that they only seat people between 11 and 1 pm. What gives?
This place is cute but i havent been to a tea there yet. I did however go in and but a tea set for a tea party i was going to and it was pretty cheap for the tea cup, saucer & spoon it was i think $13. The old women who was there was very sweet.
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