The Calla Lily Tea Room is a Victorian-style tea room nestled in downtown Aurora, IL. The tea room operates from Monday to Friday between 11 AM and 3 PM and Saturday 10 AM - 3 PM. There’s a choice of three tea options: Children's, Afternoon, and High Tea. Prices range from $16.95 for Children's Tea to $29.95 for High Tea. While dedicated parking is unavailable, ample street parking is available nearby and reservations are required.
Atmosphere
Stepping into the tea room, you'll be greeted by an abundance of natural light streaming in through the front windows, creating a bright and inviting atmosphere. The room features a lot of shelving and cupboards, lending a charming touch. Soft, classical music adds a pleasant backdrop to the experience. The Victorian theme isn't very evident throughout the space, one of few elements of a Victorian theme are the chairs that feature several lovely black and white prints, including toile.
Tea Experience
Upon arrival, my guests and I were promptly seated. The table setting was simple yet tasteful, with a lace table runner elegantly adorning the center beneath a glass tabletop. We perused the extensive tea menu, which offered a delightful array of options. Each of us was served our chosen tea in individual teapots. Personally, I opted for the Strawberry Lemonade blend, a delightful combination of Japanese green tea leaves and strawberry, which proved to be thoroughly enjoyable. The sandwiches included a chicken and what I believe to be cranberry, egg, and cucumber. Other offerings include a chocolate tartlett, madeleine, scones, and fruit. All very reflective of traditional tea offerings, the scones were the pleasant highlight of the afternoon.
Overall Score
The service was attentive and the food served was satisfactory, with no issues such as hard breads or off-tasting sandwiches. While the overall experience was pleasant, nothing particularly exceptional stood out. It was a straightforward and relaxed tea experience, devoid of any major drawbacks. The Calla Lily Tea Room earns 2.5 out of 5 stars.
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