Tea time
Should you want to lift your pinky at afternoon tea, Southern California has a host of choice spots at which to sip:
Los Angeles County
Callisto Tea House has weekend tea service featuring savory vegan toasts. Traditional Chinese tea service, in which tea is brewed in small clay pots, is also available. 1359 N. Altadena Drive, Pasadena, 626-345-5615, callistoteahouse.com
Enchanted Rose Tea Parlour features tiered treats (e.g., mini-cupcakes) and steeped tea inside a charming, pink setting. Open Wednesdays through Saturdays. The tea menu offers black, green and herbal varieties. 120 W. Bonita Ave., Suite G, San Dimas. 909-394-4588, enchantedrosetea.com
The London West Hollywood, which offers weekend afternoon tea, works with U.K.-based Henrietta Lovell, founder of the Rare Tea Co. $84, $42 for guests under 12. 1020 N. San Vicente Blvd., West Hollywood. 844-489-9660, thelondonwesthollywood.com
Rose & Blanc Tea Room in Koreatown offers an afternoon tea inside its soft pink room, with staples like cucumber and dill sandwiches, macaroons and scones. Service begins at $29. 301 Western Ave., No. 202, Los Angeles. 213-330-6787, roseandblanctearoom.com
Rosetree Cottage Tea Room has a tea service that comes with a glass of sparkling elderflower and loose-leaf English Village Tea. Savories include beef Wellington, toad-in-the-hole and Welsh rarebit. Afternoon tea is served on the weekends only. 801 S. Pasadena Ave., Pasadena. 626-793 3337, rosetreecottage.com
Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills offers a top-drawer experience starting at $110. In addition to a luxe afternoon tea, highlights here include a harpist providing musical accompaniment in the hotel’s lobby. 9850 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills. waldorfastoriabeverlyhills.com
The Culver Hotel’s weekend afternoon tea at its restaurant, Lillie’s, features pastries, scones, sandwiches and more. 9400 Culver Blvd., Culver City. 310-558-9400, culverhotel.com
Olivia’s Dollhouse Tea Room provides a place for kids and birthday parties, with a fairy tale setting. It specializes in private dress-up tea parties for children and “adults who are a child at heart.” 2051 Palos Verdes Drive N., Lomita. 310-257-1199, olivias4tea.com
Orange County
Hello Kitty Grand Cafe at the Irvine Spectrum offers a contemporary, whimsical take on the tea tradition. 860 Irvine Center Drive, Irvine. sanrio.com/blogs/hellokittycafe/hello-kitty-grand-cafe
Knife Pleat, one of Orange County’s three Michelin-star restaurants, has an afternoon tea Saturdays for $115. An oasis between rounds of shopping at South Coast Plaza. 3333 Bristol St., Suite 3001, Costa Mesa. 714-266-3388, knifepleat.com
McKenna’s Tea Cottage is a dedicated teahouse with lacework tablecloths, delicate porcelain and English brews. 237 Main St., Seal Beach. 562-431-0200, mckennasteacottage.com
Raya at the Ritz-Carlton has afternoon tea service, including themed teas for Christmas, Dia de los Muertos, Mother’s Day and other holidays. 1 Ritz Carlton Drive, Dana Point. 949-240-2000, exploretock.com/ritzcarltonlagunaniguel/event/446601/holiday-tea
Spring Tea Garden is a choice spot for parties and events. Spring Field Banquet Center, 501 N. Harbor Blvd., Fullerton. 714-447-0579, springteagarden.com
Tea House on Los Rios, recently featured on “Real Housewives of Orange County,” offers an idyllic setting in the historic Los Rios District near the train tracks. Bonus points for its garden setting and exceedingly darling decor. 31731 Los Rios St., San Juan Capistrano. 949-443-3914, theteahouseonlosrios.com
Pamela’s Tea Room can serve afternoon tea for two or 32. Well-behaved children are always welcome. 7561 Center Ave., Huntington Beach. 714-897-9442, pamelastearoombritshop.com
Riverside County
British Tea House, which doubles as a grocer of British goods, has afternoon tea service that goes all in with a United Kingdom theme. Ideal for parties. 3847 Pierce St., Riverside. 951-651-8720, instagram.com/riversidebritishteahouse
Corbeaux Wine & Tea Room offers an afternoon tea for $59. Highlights include carrot tea cake, hazelnut praline cream puffs, salted scones and more accompanied by a large pot of tea of your choice. 41923 Second St., Temecula. 951-240-7134, corbeauxwineandtea.com
The Empressa offers elegant, floral decor; fine porcelain dishes; and attentive service. This place also offers etiquette classes for those who want to brush up their table manners. 27715 Jefferson Ave., Temecula. 951-285-5860, theempressa.com
The Mission Inn offers an afternoon tea on its elegant, Spanish-style patio. Prices range from $32 to $42. 3649 Mission Inn Ave., Riverside. 951-784-0300, missioninn.com
San Bernardino County
Coterie Tea and Eatery has service with delicate porcelain dishes, housemade finger sandwiches and even a photo booth to capture the merriment. 155 C St., Unit A, Upland. 909-701-8158, instagram.com/coterieteaandeatery
Martha Green’s serves tea from 1 to 3 p.m. Mondays through Fridays for parties of two or more, and from 4 to 6 p.m. weekends for parties of 20 or more. The food is all scratch-made. 107 E. Citrus Ave., Redlands. 909-792-5400, allmarthagreen.com/tea
The Olde Magnolia Tea Room offers afternoon teas inside its historic, early 1900s, classical revival brick building. Menu highlights include housemade scones, creams, curd and sandwiches. Holiday tea also available. 201 N. First Ave., Upland. 909-296-5609, theoldemagnoliatearoom.com