Blue Willow Tea Room — Restaurant in Petersburg

I’ve been here on multiple occasions and each time I’ve had different experiences. The food and tea are fabulous but what stops me from giving 5 stars is the customer service. We had gone here a few times until we experienced horrible customer service and stopped going for a handful of months. Decided to go back and were met with more passive aggressive attitude. With having social anxiety, it was a nightmare. More detail: The previous times we’ve gone in, it was a seat yourself situation. Found out today after a bit of a passive aggressive exchange, that was not the case always (they have no signs to indicate that you must go to the register in the back). From this point all of the interactions with the waitress just felt off. A few smaller things I could dive into but they’re petty nonsense. The last thing that soured the mood was when we were paying. She handed my husband the bill, I gave him my card, he put the bill and card closer to me. She comes back, types in my info from the card, hands the signing portion and card back to him even when I reached out. I just laughed and let him handle that part. Now this last bit wouldn’t be too much of an issue if it weren’t for comments that were made to us months ago at the same place. I had come here solo before bringing my husband. The whole time the waitress was making remarks like, “this place is probably too girly for you,” or “oh you brought your husband to pay this time.” I understand some people still have a point of view on masculinity and especially for a place like this but it just becomes rude at some point. Even after saying this, I think anyone should give this place a try. Our interactions may differ from yours and there aren’t many tea rooms left. Just make sure you don’t...

This was the most intricately charming and delicately pleasing event of my 7th anniversary celebration! It was like stepping into the books of one's princess and galant knight or castle and kingdom fantasies, full of beauty and charm and whimsical dreaminess and delightful comraderie! The theme fitting tea was delicate and unique in it's aromas and also carefully achieved rich flavored with an enticing texture experience of smooth silk. We couldn't order enough! My top two favorites were strawberry chocolate and Carmel vanilla. The scones were incredible and the lay out and display of the food was something of a dream in it's delightful precision. The dainties and tasty food made me feel the part of a victorian novel of regal posture and elegant character of kind company. This restaurant has a ambiance that is unmatched with a theme that is expertly delivered in a laid back elegance that made me feel like the queen was delighted to have tea with me! The food, the service, the elegance and carefully placed elaborate decor, the incredible people... All genuine and kind and observant with amazing service.. and oh! The antique shop connected to the restaurant just kept me on my toes and simply enraptured me! They have details on the tags so you know what your looking at.. even dates and the prices are incredibly low for such rare and unique treasures! I left feeling I had gained an education and greater appreciation in antiques, and the genuine and kind nature of the owners and staff left me feeling like I had made friends at my lunch in a castle. ;) I cannot wait to come have...

Food and tea was mostly good. The scones are basically just southern American biscuits with a light dusting of powdered sugar on top. Upon entering we were scolded for not having a reservation even though all tables but 1 were empty and the website doesn't say a reservation is required. We were directed to a table and one of us bumped the table and it moved a bit. We were once again scolded and told that "some just don't play well with antiques" which was very rudely said. We weren't hungry for a full lunch and just wanted a little treat and some tea. The host was very pushy and rude about that and acted offended that we weren't ready to eat lunch yet. I am unsure why she was hostile towards us from the beginning. We were supposed to get cakes with our tea set we ordered and never received them. We were too afraid to ask for fear of being scolded again because when we asked if we could see a menu to order a cake on the side we were met with a very sharp "NOPE! You can only get the cakes if you order the full lunch tea." Will not be returning here it wasn't worth the price and the food being mostly good is not worth the subpar and rude service. It just felt like she was trying to make us order the most expensive things and was offended when we didn't. She was more concerned with making a big sale in the moment that customer service went completely by...