Apothica Teas — Restaurant in Niles

The afternoon tea was a unique experience that you should do at least once. I was really looking forward to the experience but the excitement slowly started to fade walking right into the door. Someone said hello as they walked by. So I asked the guy making the tea where do we check in (I didn't see a sign or maybe missed it). I was told the hostess(s) are busy now and they will be with you shortly. Oh-okay. First time here not sure who they are or what to do. How about "hello we will be right with you"? Hey no problem (pretty easy right?) I was then asked if all 4 people were here and I said no actually it will just be the 3 of us. Then here it just goes south. I was approached by the girl who seated us about the $10 fee for the person who didn't come. I was taken back and it took a minute. Then another lady goes by and said she's checking on this late fee and I stated, I didn't see that posted anywhere and she told me it's on the website. I was trying to not let that ruin the moment with my family or really say anything as we were sitting pretty close to the family next to us. Tea was put on our table and my niece said where's our cups (5 -8 mins sitting there) . The guy at the next table had to tell us what to do (go help ourselves to the cups in the cabinet). That is what did me in. So worried about a $10 fee that we were never asked about ever being here and to walk us through the experience. That is when the girl who sat us approached me walking back to our table telling me I will becharged the $10 fee. By this time I'm not happy so my response is not the most pleasant & she wasn't all that nice either. We didn't see her much after that. Thankful for the lady with shoulder length Gray hair and glasses. She got us our tea(s) and she shared a game with us. She was very nice. At the end we had one pot of tea left to order and no one every came back to us so wasn't able to order it. I do want to note I further investigated the $10 fee for a person not showing up in your party. I looked on my phone and my laptop. Not one thing about $10 fee mentioned. On my android under the reservations no fee at all mentioned but on my laptop under reservations a no show fee of $30 without canceling in a timely manner. My Suggestion is below the afternoon tea menu a disclaimer defining how early to cancel either due to a party change or canceling altogether with the fee info and ensure that message comes acrossed on Android iPhone and desktop. Make sure included in your social media posts as well. That just might ensure no one is caught off guard. Lets not forget to the folks walking in the door to be pleasant/inviting and explaining someone will be right with you so they don't even have to ask. It would also be nice to double check on the table while it's winding down if we need anything else. This day was supposed to be special as we never get together other than the holidays or birthdays and it turned out to be kinda...

I hate writing a review like this, but I also think it’s important to give honest feedback, so… here it is! I’ve had a lot of afternoon teas in many different places (it’s one of the things we like to look for in different cities and countries when we travel), and I had been looking forward to going to Apothica Teas for a long time, so maybe my expectations were too high. The good: the food was truly delightful, as was the tea. The scones were delicious, which surprisingly is not always a given at afternoon tea in my experience. I appreciated that we could ask for extra jam or clotted cream without an extra charge. It was fun getting to choose our own tea cups out of their China cabinet, and I loved looking around at the fun tea-related decor and items for sale. It was also great having the option to take my second pot of tea home as dry loose leaf, since I was way too full to drink two full pots. The bad: while this is a reasonably priced afternoon tea, the price point still puts it in the “special occasion” category for us, and we unfortunately felt like the service and atmosphere didn’t meet a special occasion level. The staff were all dressed very casually, mostly in jeans and some in t-shirts, too. The service was ok. Some of the staff were friendly but not super professional, and others seemed frankly indifferent to the presence of patrons. The worst part was when we went to pay, and two of them started having a full on argument in front of my husband at the till. It was my birthday and I really didn’t want it to be ruined by that, so I wandered off to look at the tea for sale while my husband very kindly took care of the bill, but it was very uncomfortable to witness even as an indirect observer. It’s one thing to have a polite disagreement in front of your customers, or even a manager correcting a mistake, but this was not that. This was heated and just short of vicious, enough to make me hesitant to return let alone spend so much money. And after that, when we got home and I looked at the receipt I realized they had overcharged us by adding a gluten-free food option, which we did not order or receive. An unfortunate ending that made something special feel slightly less so. In light of our overall experience, we might be back to Apothica to buy loose leaf tea but I doubt we will return to dine in...

Apothica Teas: A Delightful Afternoon Retreat

Within the serene ambiance of Apothica Teas, my recent visit unfolded into an enchanting journey of tea and culinary delights. From the moment we stepped inside, the staff's warmth and profound knowledge of their offerings set the stage for a memorable experience.

The opportunity to handpick our teacups from the elegant china cabinet added a personalized touch to our afternoon ritual. As we settled in, a complimentary pot of Formosa Oolong tea greeted us, its delicate notes swirling with promise.

Our gastronomic voyage commenced with the comforting embrace of lentil soup, paving the way for a feast of flavors to come. From the Beef Wellinglette to the Lemon Basil Mousse, each dish showcased meticulous craftsmanship and a harmonious blend of ingredients.

The English Scones, adorned with clotted cream and jam, elicited nostalgic delight, while the ethereal Lemon Basil Mousse left an indelible mark on our palates. Accompanied by an array of teas, each sip was a journey of discovery, from the light and rich White Grape tea to the smooth indulgence of Orange Cookie.

Apothica Teas' commitment to culinary innovation shines through its monthly rotating menu, promising patrons a fresh and exciting gastronomic adventure with each visit. Whether it's a leisurely afternoon with loved ones or an intimate gathering of friends, Apothica Teas provides a picturesque backdrop for cherished memories to unfold.

In conclusion, Apothica Teas exceeded expectations with its impeccable service, delectable fare, and a curated selection of teas that tantalize the taste buds and soothe the soul. I eagerly anticipate returning to partake in their upcoming events, knowing that each visit promises to be a culinary odyssey...