Cynthia's Tea Garden

I feel bad to give this lady a 2, but it's really around 2 and 3.

It's in a residential like house, where you go through the lobby where there is a big table hosting over 10 people, and the kitchen area where you see the bread from grocery store, the basket she use to decorate your tea sandwiches. The room we ended up with is very intimate and quiet. There are two tables. I am not sure how that is going to work if there is another group of people sitting next to us... we will definitely hear each other talking.

Also, the bathroom is next to the room we sat, I could hear girls talking when I was in the bathroom. I would imagine same thing happens the other way around.

For $29 after tax and tips, you pay for a cute cup of fruit salad, three different tea sandwiches (cucumber, spicy sauce and chicken), assorted desserts (5 kinds I guess). Also you get to enjoy different types of tea.

Taste wise, I can't tell the difference between this place and other high tea places. I even think other high tea places serve you food that are more complicated to make so that you don't feel like a rip off.

If you ask me if I am going to come back, answer is no.

I made a reservation through voicemail, and when I didn't receive a callback confirming the reservation, I called during working hours and spoke with Cynthia personally. She had the reservation noted, and there was no problem.

I went with my sisters, and for the very reasonable price of $22 ea. for a prix fixe menu, we had a great time!

The food, while somewhat familiar, was either presented in a refreshing manner, or just really tasty and fresh!

First off, one sister ran 20 minutes late but it was no problem, as Cynthia explained to us: I run this like a European Tea House. Once you book the space it's yours, and you may stay here as long as you like. So, my other sister and I relaxed and toured the premises. Cynthia has at least 2 rooms available for seatings, with a possible third room. She can seat parties up to 25 people, and said that she's hosted showers and parties without a problem.

So, once we were all collected, we started off with a fresh fruit salad, served in a cut glass goblet. Very refreshing-topped with cottage cheese, and orange slice and edible geraniums.

The next course was a caddy of sandwiches, triangularly cut, of course! We had cucumber, artichoke, and chicken with cut pineapple options. My favorite was the artichoke, because it was the most unusual.

The final course were individually plated dessert selections. We each got a lemon tart, 2 scones with jam and cream, chocolate-dipped shortbread cookies and a chocolate-dipped strawberry. All very delicious.

As to the tea, well, we aren't very well-versed in tea, so, with Cynthia's advice, we selected a raspberry herbal tea, and she would pop in to make sure the flavor was okay, refill the pot, etc. Otherwise, we had the cozy room to ourselves for two hours.

While waiting for the missing sister, I asked about dining outside. Cynthia said that during hot weather, she serves iced tea and scones on the porch. How lovely is that??!!!

And, before you ask me, yes we wore hats, but no gloves were worn. Pictures are available upon request.

I will definitely go back, and I'm sorry to say that I've missed out on 5 years' worth of opportunity to partake of this charming establishment a mile from my house.

Cynthia's Tea Garden is good for the afternoon tea novice, however, their options are pretty simple.

$14 comes with a tiny scone cut in half with jam and cream on top, as well as a butter cookie, a strawberry dipped in chocolate, and another little cracker.

You can also get additional mini sandwiches if you go with the more expensive menu.

The place is really cute located in a little Victorian-ish house. The home is very quaint and cute.

No big scones though or unique pastries and just a simple variety of teas, cash only, too. But - certainly a decent option for Fremont! Easy parking in the lot across the street.

I love tea and I have been to over a dozen tea houses. Although it was a good bag of tea - I was a little disappointed that it was Bigelow tea bags that were used. I like to see stuff I cannot just get a Safeway when I go to a tea house. Also she did not ask us what tea we wanted, just served us a tea and one tea for all of us. Also since it was Mother's Day we did not get to choose what items off the menu or tea type we wanted.

The food was all fresh and tasted like traditional tea items. The lavender short bread and chocolate covered strawberries were my favorite.

Very important - cash only. I know other people put this, but I did not notice before going so it was a good thing that I had enough cash with me. The place was cute and there is a farmer's market right out front on Sundays. It is close to public parking.

Reservations ONLY!
It would be best to go early (around 11am) since you get the whole day there to chat and such. If you go later, I think she closes at 4pm so you wouldn't get much time.

I went for "lunch" and there were a lot of stuff. Probably best idea to see pictures.
Cynthia is the only person that is there so she would have to make everything (probably why reservation is needed)

Overall its a good afternoon tea experience. Definitely something to check out for Fremont residents.

So my cousin & I wanted to do tea, & though I have been to more Asian inspired tea houses, this was my first traditional English tea experience. I must say, I was very impressed.

It's located in a little Victorian house that is all decorated for tea and goodies. The tea was sweet and perfect. The goodies were lovely looking. The scones especially were DELICIOUS.

Perfect place to go with a good friend, family member or loved one.

btw: cash or check, no credit cards!

They are actually located on BAY ST.

Hours: Tues-Sun 11am-4pm

Unfortunately I dont have much to review about this place. I called several times today to make a reservation and find out their hours. I got the voice mail each time. I decided to drive by on my way back from Kaiser. They have horrible street construction going on outside of Bay St so I had to park around the corner and walk through the construction! I arrived at the front door at 3:30pm to find they were CLOSED. Right next to the CLOSED sign were there posted hours, clearly stating they should be open until 4pm.
I dont know if they were closed due to the construction, because I can see that business would be slower with that riot going on outside, but I dont enjoy walking into a business when they close early.

I guess I will have to give this place another try when the construction is all cleaned up, but I recommend avoiding this place until then. Try Tyme for Tea in Niles instead.

Cynthia's kitchen is unusual: food service certified. She gets up every morning to bake her traditional recipes (usually from her grandmother!) fresh from scratch. Her eclairs are freshly filled, the shortbread is perfect, and the scones are exquisitely traditional. Heck, she even puts up her own jam. And the sandwiches! Combined with tea that she "brought back from the duty-free", it's a nom worth the travel.

The real reason to go is Cynthia herself. She's been around the world three times and has the stories to prove it, all delivered in a magnificent Manchester accent. It's like the best B&B. She runs her house how a proper English Tea Room is run, and her pride, satisfaction and happiness show in every room. Go. Enjoy. It is lovely!

Cynthia is quite a lovely person with obviously many wonderful attributes. .. ;)

+ : love the tea house itself, historic and authentic. .. having high tea in one of the wallpapered rooms made it feel like play; not to mention, Cynthia's tea accoutrements and touches. .. so sweet to be personally attended by Cynthia. .. her welcome of fresh fruit salad with a little bit of cottage cheese was a parfait of healthy delicious sweetness. .. her fresh homemade creations: scones with jelly and whipped cream, shortbread dipped in chocolate, lemon curd tartlet were sumptuous. .. and of course, the teas were perfectly brewed. .. umm. .. also, loved the fresh pansies. ..

- : n/a

had a marvelous experience. .. thank Ü, Cynthia!! =))

I absolutely adore this place! Ms Cynthia is a wonderful hostess..love chatting with her..she really gives you that feel of being in Victorian times visiting a friend's home for tea! Love that the house has been preserved with all it's intricate details; a piece of Fremont's historical past.
Want a place to unwind and enjoy a wonderful pot of tea not to mention some yummy tea sandwiches and delectable desserts?..this is the place!! And the bonus is Ms Cynthia sells her amazing jams n preserves during the holidays..can't wait..but be sure to call ahead this cozy spot can and does fill up quick!!..Happy tea time!!