Tea and Sympathy

food's great if a bit on the pricey side but agree with previous reviewer that the service is abysmal. it seems to be a gimmick they've cultivated but it's just plain rude. i'd suggest ordering in - whoever takes phone orders is usually lovely.

I understand the need for rules, but the wait staff is a little over zealous with enforcement. Today I over-heard three separate "altercations". One person was asked to wait outside the restaurant until the other person in his party arrived. Fair enough if it's busy, but not so much when the place is almost empty and it's raining cats and dogs outside. The other two related to not spending the per person minimum and moving tables. On both occasions the wait staff were very quick to suggest the guests leave if they don't like it. Scones were good but nothing special. The Earl Grey tea tasted like English Breakfast, but by that stage I was not willing to complain, lest I be shown the door........

The place is cozi with a warm atmosphere. The food is amazing, I've been twice and can't wait to go a third to try the sunday dinners. I love it ... wouldn't change a thing.

My husband and I used to love this place. It's still worth it for the "real" bacon alone (back bacon, not streaky, US stuff - fantastic!) But their portions seem to be getting smaller, when they were already just "normal", compared to other places in the city where you are given enough food in one sitting to feed a small army. We thought it was just our perception, but then we overheard another customer asking the waitress if they were cutting back! And the service can be downright rude - it's almost like they think they are doing you a favour by letting you eat there. I hope Americans don't think all Brits are like this - we really aren't. Tea and Sympathy is on the pricey side, too - especially considering the size of the portions. Overall, a hit or a miss. But if you get the smashing dark-haired girl to wait your table, you will have no problems.

The tea for two as fab! The scones are amazing~ Although the place is small and the service is average the tea, finger sandwiches and desserts are great.

It's so ironic that the only English cuisine I ever had was fish and chips and this restaurant doesn't serve it! But what I did order was absolutely wonderful, sardines on toast. It's a very small restaurant but the atmosphere and service made up for the crampiness. My friends and I had a very enjoyable lunch experience. The patrons at the next table had ordered the high tea and everything looked scrumptious. I plan to do that the next time I go back!

I have to agree that it is a bit cramped. The service was good but it was sometimes hard to get the staff's attention. The food was simple and filling and excellent but it was the sticky toffee pudding... my god that pudding.... make sure to save room for it.