The Huntington's Rose Garden Tea Room — Restaurant in San Marino

The policies and organization at this place are a disaster and I would give 0 stars if I could for wasting our time. I tried to make a reservation online and there were zero slots months in advance at different times throughout the day, so we figured it was malfunctioning and we would walk in on the day of.

I asked if I could be added to the waitlist, but I was told to look at a menu beforehand. I told the host I had read the menu online and that yes, I would like to be added to the waitlist, and she just... started talking to another customer? This happened to other people as well, so it seems like they have a bizarre policy about forcing people to read menus. Meanwhile, other people are coming in and getting on the waitlist ahead of us while we're being told to wait. Finally, we're number 7 on the waitlist, and we walk around a bit nearby because it seems like they're not allowed to give anyone an initial estimate of the wait time when even knowing 5/30/60ish minutes would help.

We return an hour later to check on our spot and are told we're second in line, great. Another 15 minutes go by and then a host tells us we're now fifth in line because the system is malfunctioning and put us in the wrong order? At this point we're fuming. Instead of just putting us next in line, there's still dozens of people who somehow got reservations being seated right away, and a person ahead of us who definitely wasn't the person we saw get added to the waitlist right before us. The host tells us there's only one table available if we want outdoor seating and to argue amongst ourselves for who gets it, which makes everyone uncomfortable until the host says she'll figure it out herself and seat us... in 15 minutes.

I told her in advance that I'd like a shaded spot outside; they give that spot to the person ahead of us (that isn't even supposed to be ahead of us), and put us in a spot with the sun beating down on our backs and tell us it'll be another 15 minutes to get a different table. The final straw was when I put a white napkin on my lap and the server anxiously begged me to let her change it to a black one to match my black clothes even though I said the white one was fine... because "they're really strict about that"?

The next time a server came around, we told them we were leaving, because after waiting for one and a half hours and dealing with so much nonsense, we didn't want to spend $150 on this restaurant.

I don't know what kind of management is running this place and berating their servers for this napkin policy, but these policies are ridiculously rigid to the point where customers are burderned with management's issues and the entire structure is falling apart. Management, if you're reading this and you blame or fire a server or a host for this bad review, you are missing the point and treating your employees poorly. Also, stop bullying them about napkin colors, because nobody gives a sh*t if their napkin matches their pants. The employees were kind, and if the service isn't great, it's because they're understaffed and stressed by working with tight regulations and malfunctioning tech. Y'all need to get it together and restructure your conditions to allow for more flexibility for your workers and your customers.

I hardly ever leave a negative review, and this essay isn't coming from an entitled Karen... I'm happy to give second chances when something goes wrong, but when something goes wrong at every possible opportunity, seven strikes...

I believe they just opened so expect some kinks to be worked out. We were seated at a table too large for our party and adjacent to a swinging door to the service station. The staff was not cognizant of guests just beyond the door so they need to rethink this or train them accordingly if they continue seating people there. That there were numerous other tables available for seating in this room, the main tea room, at the time we were sat confused us all. When I asked if we could take another table I was told all others were reserved, the only other table available being a long table for 8 in the middle of the dining room. Didn’t I call/email for five weeks (I did btw) to get a reservation too? When they offered the herb room down the corridor, we were given a more intimate table for four also with several vacant, adjacent tables surrounding us that were seemingly also unavailable. After inquiring with the staff as to why I never truly got a clear answer. I can only assume these were reserved by members of the garden or more important people than us and they were not equipped to communicate their reasons. It was disappointing to say the least and more skill is needed with the front-of-house to navigate table-seating as guests check in. You cannot remain rigid in table assignments when you have numerous other vacant tables around the rooms. You accommodate the present diner and then reconfigure the room. This is hospitality 101.

Thankfully our server, Angelina, was gracious and saved the day with her warmth and attention. Juan, another service person was equally friendly and inviting. I am gluten free so the fact that a gluten free tea is available is fantastic and the reason I came. The teas were pretty lovely but the food was mediocre. The offerings looked promising on the menu and the standout among them was the first item served which is the scone. These are delicious and you couldn’t tell it was gf. Ask for the real butter, marmalade, and lemon curd that accompanies the non-gf scones or you will get vegan butter. The scones are served warm which is as it should be.

Now to the main tower of tea sandwiches. The toppings were great, the gluten free bread that they sat on was terrible. It crumbled as soon as you picked it up and was a challenge to even get to the mouth without falling apart. I ended up scraping the toppings off each one and leaving the bread. The add-on of lobster salad and white chocolate fondue is not exciting. The lobster salad was fine but the fondue’s accompaniments were freeze-dried raspberries and pineapple - what about fresh fruit?? All items, except the scones, were premade so all were chilled which felt convenient for the kitchen and disappointing for the diner. I envisioned walk-in refrigerators with countless three-tiered towers of tea fare sitting in the cold for several hours. At over $300 for four people I expected more. The Huntington Gardens are so grand, I certainly wanted their tea service to be equally so. I will not be back. Service was fabulous, atmosphere was elegant and inviting. Food was...

My husband and i had a fantastic experience;our table, our server (Joanna)and the tea were all top notch.

We had reservations for an inside table, when we arrived and saw the outside area we asked if we could switch, they said yes and we say at a table for 2 at the gardens edge...& the chairs had cushions!

I was curious about the rose blend tea, which I don't usually get bc I don't like floral. I asked if I could try it before ordering, Joanna said no as it is made a pot at a time. THEN! She showed up with a cup of rose tea... asking with the pot of Huntington I ordered! I tried it and loved it and she changed my pot of Huntington to the Rose blend - a truly exemplary, above and beyond customer service moment.

When we ordered our tea we chose to order a baby field green salad to start. Joanna let us know the salads are huge and asked if we'd like to split it instead. We agreed and got 2 fabulous full salads, each with 4 pieces of sliced persimmon, gost cheese, hazlenuts, and pomegranate seeds - this salad is incredible, get it, you'll be happy you did.

Joanna was friendly, kind, and attentive. When I complimented her earrings, she wrote down the website they came from - I just ordered my own! - thank you Joanna!!

The tea was very good, we had the rose blend - excellent plain our with milk and sugar for a slightly different flavor. My husband enjoyed the apple pie tea.

The scones were perfect and tasty, the savory options were each quite good, and each sweet was unique and flavorful.

We had such a good experience we asked Joanna to bring her manager over. Pablo came to our table - professional, kind, and polite and interacted with us warmly as we raved about our experience.

We used to enjoy the buffet tea I.the tea room, but the new tea is just as good. And sitting outside in their huge outdoor area surrounded by the garden was perfect. The inside rooms seem fine as like before.... nothing noteworthy- seemed comfortable. Maybe a bit bright. I prefer outdoors myself.

The restroom is all gender, which is great, I really hadn't given it any thought as I used it twice. On my 2nd visit in, as I excited the stall, a man walked in the restroom (I am female) and I was very briefly startled and confused. Somehow this has never happened to me before. This is not a complaint, simply a prompt to encourage you to have be aware. I went about my business and my momentary surprise dissipated.

Overall, a beautiful day and an experience one wants and expects at The Huntington Tea Room.

Thank you!!

PS - and it was my birthday!! Though they never...