Tea Room Review: Into My Garden Tea Room

URL: http://www.intomygarden.com/
Address: 1017 East 15th Street, Plano, TX
Phone: 972-509-0292
Reservations required.

Rating: 4.75 out of 5 teacups
Ambiance: 5
Service: 5
Food: 5
Tea: 4

Tucked away in the back of a cute gift shop in old downtown Plano, Into My Garden Tea Room is a hidden treasure. With a variety of levels of tea service, ranging from full three course tea to a child's tea party, this tea room has something for everyone.

The homey atmosphere with beautiful china provides a welcome contrast with so many of the tea rooms found in Dallas by stressing comfort and quality rather than appearance. Upon sitting down, you immediately feel as if you have simply stopped by a favorite aunt's house and are being served a really lovely tea in her kitchen. Tea is served in an arbor-like retreat which provides a nice separation from the rest of the cafe.

A single pot of good quality loose leaf tea is provided for the table, with ample refills on both hot water and leaves. No tea menu is provided but the selections (listed from memory by the hostess Sue) are extensive. The hostess was able to provide extensive information and advice about tea selection, including suggesting a highly caffeinated floral tea for one dinner who had been up too late the night before.

The presentation of food perpetuates the feeling of "home" that pervades this tea room. The generously portioned sandwiches use a simple, crustless white bread decorated, amusingly, with small silk flowers. However, it is the delicious gourmet sandwich fillings (such as wild rice chicken salad) that make them stand out as exceptional. The second course had multiple scones and moist tea bread of various flavors served with a homemade clotted cream and a delicious plum jam. Dessert - four bite-sized delicacies (such as a key lime tart) - completed the experience nicely. Each course had remarkably large portions and, even with skipping lunch, we were unable to finish all of the desserts.

Service was impeccable - the hostess remained attentive without becoming intrusive and immediately ingratiated herself with the table with her friendly demeanor during a brief cross examination about the tea selection. We never had to ask for refills on the tea - they seemed to appear almost magically while we had been deep in conversation.