Southern Gardens Tea Room

This not a British tea room, it is a Japanese resturant. Very disappointed

I don't consider myself a food expert, but I know when I'm eating sams club dessert... Tearooms should be creating their own dessert. not store bought... That was aweful..

As the former owner (pre 2010) of this tearoom,I receive compliments every time I visit Akron on the NEW Southern Gardens Tea Room for the new owners. They are lovely people and have taken a very good tea room and made it into an Excellent one. Thank you for taking Southern Gardens to a whole different level of excellence.

Lovely atmosphere and presentation of afternoon tea with each person getting their own tiered tray of sandwiches, scones, quiche and desserts as well as a full pot of tea per person. Loose leaf tea served in beautiful pots and unique cups and saucers.

I took my 'Saturday dine-out' group here because I know one of the owners.There was an extensive list of teas served in beautiful teapots (whole leaf, not tea bags). The decor is a charming eclectic mix of Asian and tea room charm. The owners and staff were warm and welcoming. Although some in my group were reluctant to try the Asian foods, they found items to their liking and were nothing short of impressed by the whole experience. We all left, saying 'we'll be back!'

My niece took me yesterday as a birthday celebration. The food, decor, tea, wait staff, and owner were very nice. We did not feel rushed, they were very accommodating, and very friendly. I'm excited to go back soon and take some friends.

I love this place and come almost every 2 weeks. Their Teas are wonderful, Atmosphere cozy without being 'stuffy' and I have always had friendly service.

I have never tried the traditional Tea Room part of the menu because I just can't pull myself away from their Tom Yum Soup or Pork fried rice!! If you love Asian food this place is a MUST try! And I have to add that they do not brew tea in paper towels, it is similar to a coffee pot filter, but for tea pot usage.

Overall a Great place to catch up with friends.

This tea room is just okay I was not highly impresseased by it. Server seemed over whelmed with two tables.

My friend and I visited this tearoom thinking that we were going to have great food and experience. After all, the place was put together nicely.

Sadly, it was BIG disappointment. First we ordered the scones. It was crumbly, has no texture of scones, no buttery smell. It tasted cross between corn bread and muffin. It's not bad but they were not scones. We ordered the tea, I think the server gave me the wrong tea but he insisted that was the tea I ordered. They put the loose leaf tea in what appeared to be a paper towel that sticks out of the teapot. It was not elegant at all. The tea sandwiches had NO flavor whatsoever. Very bland and was served on white mushy un-evenly cut bread. The desserts DEFINITELY store bought! We spent around $43 for this?? What a shame! One more thing, the server forgot all about us. He never came back to check if we needed anything else.

We were very disappointed and we will NEVER visit this tea room again.

I ordered the high tea and was sorely disappointed in the desserts--some of the cookies served were cheap store bought ones. Food was not all that good either. For the money it was not worth it. I will not being going back anytime soon.

My Mum and I visited when she was here from Ireland and brought my two young daughters with us. Mum wanted them to have their first formal tea outing. Southern Gardens was the perfect place. They are so good to children. I found out that the two ladies there have all grandsons and love having little girls visit for tea! They had a small table next to ours, an antique pram full of hats and gloves and crowns and the girls were fussed over enough to feel like two daughters of the Royal House!

My daughters and I attended a baby shower here and fell in love with before but will be back. The tea trays, the table settings, the decor, choice of teas and the service was impressive.

It is unique in that it opens with an antique store that is just wonderful with the way it is decorated. The aisle is wide and it is well lit. And treasures are there for the one who wants to look! Then the store opens into a wonderful grand old mansion looking restaurant!!!!

What a surprise it is to turn the corner and behold the dining room of what appears to be such a small room from the outside!

You must visit! And try the bread pudding. We took some home!

We attended a wedding at this tea room! It was all so magical and romantic. The owners and staff had everything planned and timed so perfectly. Everything was transformed into a dream.

What an amazing place! This tea room is wonderful. From the time we entered through the antique store and met the hostess there (who made us feel right at home), to the time we left feeling full, happy and spoiled! I probably broke all rules of sentence structure on that one!!!!

This place is magical! I entered 'down in the dumps' and hungry. When I left I felt as if I had spent a week at the spa! The amazing part was the antique store lady asked me if I felt... spoiled and truly refreshed!!! She didn't ask if I like my lunch...but asked just the right question!

I'm coming back!

Today was my first visit to this tea room. It will not be my last. It is a true gem. The decor has an quiet old world southern grace. The dining room can probably seat 100.

Entering through the gift/antique store I thought the tea room would be very small. I was truly surprised when I rounded the corner to see the size of the dining room!

The owner was a true delight! She had over 50 ladies already seated and served and still had time to stop at our table and talk with us.

The server was very knowledgeable about the teas and the menu. All is made from scratch in their kitchen! And it definitely tasted so.

We were not rushed and so enjoyed our 'lady-time' time. I left feeling so refreshed and looking forward to my next visit.

Each time I visit this Tea Room there are over twent ladies lunching! I am amazed that visiting this web site for the first time to see so very few comments left!

This place is so elegant, the food is so affordable and the staff if so friendly. It is my most visited place for luncheons.

I was so excited to have a local tea room! But was sad when I tried it the first time. So expensive and we were hungry when we left! The food was very good though as well as the service. I do agree, warmers are a must. The tea did not stay hot at all.

I've been back twice, just to see if anything had changed but it hadn't so I don't forsee going back which I admit saddens me.

WOW!! It looks like the owner can not take heat in there reponses. Not everyone will be happy, but to stop and listen to there concerns only makes you a better place. I was only looking to see where to go for a nice tea room, but not this one if this is how you handle a complaint.

This is such a lovely place, I have visted more than once. Everyone is gracious. I brought a friend for Sunday brunch and just as the first time, I was very disappointed in the food. The sweets should never look store bought. Even if you do buy, make sure they look homemade. The soup was delicious. The sandwiches looked thrown together. Attention to detail is what makes the difference in a Tea Room. The young man working that day was very nice and did a great job.

I have visited many Tea Rooms across the US and am proud to have one in our area. I hope you pay closer attention to detail in your food service to keep people coming back.

Each year I visit this tea room when I travel from Scotland to visit my daughter who lives in Akron. I so admire the staff, the food and the feeling of visiting with 'good friends. This is the second year I have made this a must-visit place. I hope to be here in many more years to come.

My daughter said I should add that I do not add anything to my cuppa Earl!

The gift shop is so full of things that I want to take home with me and are so lowly priced campared to home.

The ladies there all remembered us as if we had just been there last week. I am back home now and looking forward to next years time with all of you.

Cynthia, I drink milk in my tea because my heritage is English and that's how we drink our tea. It wasn't a complaint but a comment. As for the napkins, my position stands. Other tea houses provide linens; again, it's an observation. So save your 'shame on you' for your children, please, and don't ever talk to me like that again!

I love the High Tea! It had a bit of everything that I enjoy. The decor is elegant, the staff is wonderful and the food is everything I had dreamed. I will be back and so will my family.

Mel....why would you ruin the taste of todays' tea with milk, cream or complaints? Linen! the napkins are a lovely cross between paper and fabric. Shame on you.

I wish you did serve dinner but am perfectly happy with luncheon.

I do agree that a tea warmer would be nice as mine cooled rather quickly.

I went w/a friend for 'high tea' even though I suspected that it wasn't high tea at all and I was right. The term 'high tea' may sound elegant but it's often misused as it was at Southern Gardens.

High tea was for the working class who worked through lunch and didn't make it home in time for afternoon tea which is traditionally served between the hours of 3:00 and 5:00 PM. (We were there at 1:15.) Therefore, it had to be a hearty meal and it always included bread, cheese and meat, usually roast beef whether hot or cold and so it was often called 'meat tea'. And, of course, it always included hot tea but we had to pay extra for our tea at Southern Gardens. Can you imagine paying extra for tea when you were there for 'high tea'? Also there was no tea warmer available so my pot of tea became cold rather quickly. No skim milk also; you can't put cream in tea.

The sandwiches were cute but very, very sweet, more for afternoon tea than high tea.

Perhaps if you want lunch the food will be heartier then but if you desire to experience a true 'high tea', there are other places to go. A high tea should have less sweets and more meats. It's called high tea because of the height of the table on which it was served, which was the high buffet or dining room table. Afternoon tea, also known as low tea, was for the aristocrats and was served at a low table such as a tea table or coffee table in a sitting room, hence the name. It didn't sound dignified so it later became known as afternoon tea.

I may go back to experience lunch but I have to work off all this sugar that I had w/my so-called high tea first.

I love this tea room!!!! I want to move in a stay there forever! I can't believe this place isn't full all the time. I can't think of a thing I would change about it other than having me there all the time at the little table in 'writer's corner' as Ms Linda called it.

When I walked in I was greeted by Ms Linda and the friendliest greeting I have ever had. I felt as if she had been waiting forever for me to show up! We spoke a few minutes and she made me feel so comfortable even though I was alone. The aroma...well that was enough to make my mouth water before even ordering!

The server was friendly and the food was good.

The 'after luncheon browse' through the gift shop was an experience in itself with Ms Linda there to explain what some of the antiques were and joke about re-making many of the things she had broken into her one-of-a-kind art.

Her two grandsons were with her that day and were politely explaining how she did things and giving away all her secrets! When asked about any recipes they both became very tight-lipped!

Please visit this adorable place and see if I am telling the truth.

I attended the Bridal Faire at Southern Gardens and wanted to say that I was so impressed by absolutely everything! The decor for a chapel wedding, the food, the music presented by a young lady named Shar and the variety of vendors.

The owners of this wonderful place have so much to be pround of that I have to add one surprising fact that I was unaware of; the many different types of art represented in their gift/antique shop.

The local artists they represent in their shop is so varied and unusual that I truly spent so much time admiring everything that I will make a return trip not only for lunch but to spend time 'art shopping'.

If you haven't already visited this amazing place then do so now. If you have...then do so again soon.

My two friends and I were having our first visit to this tea room this week and were overjoyed to see a childs' party taking place at the other end of the large dining room! The children were so well treated by the staff. They were given 'dress-up' items to adorn themselves with. They even had a pirates hat and hook for the only little boy at the table!

This establishment not only enjoys children's tea parties, but are fully prepared to encourage them to feel like little princesses and 'pirates'!

I truly was a joy to watch. We enjoyed our wonderfully prepared luncheon even more.

I did find out from the lady in the antique store part of the tea room that there is a Manners Class taught at the Tea Room! She said that many a Girl Scout had received their badge thanks to the Manners Class!

It was just and wonderful visit. We had to drive a bit over 50 miles but it was well worth the trip and will do it again.

This was my first visit. I came with a friend that has been raving about 'her' tea room. I have to admit that I am just as impressed.

The gift shop, the decor, the friendliness, the food - it was all just fantastic.

I will return and bring my friends as well.

Took my mom for Mother's day outing in May 2009. Were treated with utmost respect and care by gentleman waiter. Food was tasty. Decor a bit busy...but it's maostly all for sale!

I have been to this tea room many times and I must say I love every visit! My server Rose is always cheerful and professional and that is comforting in this day. I especially like that Chef Joe will come out to the table and answer any questions. This tea room has fine staff and wonderful food!

What a disappointment!!!! This is supposedly the best tearoom in Ohio? Far from it!!!

The price is high. The food below average! The quiche was so small and probably frozen and heated in microwave. The so called lemon bread was store bought pound cake the size of two dice. I have visited numerous tea rooms in Ohio and elsewhere. This one should not be called a tea room...call it an eatery!

I am in Ohio visiting my cousin and own a tearoom in Pennsylvania I love to visit other tearooms whereever I go. I pay attention to the small things and can honestly say this is one of the best tea rooms I've been to in a long time. The place and owners were charming and the food was great! We were very pleased and I highly recommend it to everyone.

I have visited this tea room many times and enjoyed each visit. I think it is a real shame that they had to cut their hours so drastically due to the economy. I imagine the run of bad weather hasn't helped their bottom line much either.

Come on ladies....I know I sure don't want to see anything bad happen to this lovely establishment.....so let's get calling for our reservations.

Surely as much as we all love having our own tea room in this area we better get busy and do something to keep it here.

I am a man (maybe I should say it loudly while pounding my chest...grin) and have eaten at Southern Garden several times. I enjoy the food and the service. The owners are great people and always seem to be there. If a customer has (or had) a problem I don't know why they didn't mention it while at the restaurant rather than go home and snipe about it on the internet.

The food is filling. I order the ravoli and the chicken and biscuits often. The cranberry salad if my favorite side.

Linda in the antique shop is usually the first and last person I see on my visits and have to say that she is the perfect addition to the friendly 'family' they have there at the Gardens.

If you guys or girls haven't been there then get going and see for yourself that I am right and I tell it like it is. Come on...I'm a guy writing on this site....give me a break. Go and visit and then let give your opinion on who is right....the couple of complainers or me! grin

I have been to this tea room many times and the service is great, the food is remarkable and I will continue to visit there on a regular basis.

I don't understand the customers wanting an English dish or scone in a 'Southern' Tea Room. I guess some customers don't understand the written words 'southern style cuisine'.

I adore Rose and Joe as my servers. I find them extremely knowledgeable and cheerful. They have been there since the grand opening.....which I attended.

Chef Joe is amazing and he will accomodate any food allergies if asked.

This restaurant has a wonderful selection of dishes to choose from and I have yet to leave there hungry.

It also features a full size antique and gift shop! What a great combination!

The people are so friendly and go out of their way to make one feel at home and part of the family.

During the busiest times, even the owners will be waiting on tables or out in the dining room talking with customers! If there is a problem they will take care of it. If you don't bring it up and wait to get home and write about it...how are they supposed to fix anything?

Keep up the fantastic work.

While I enjoy the friendly atmosphere while visiting this tea room there there are so many disappointments, I don't think I shall return. How it is ranked number one, I'll never know!

The menu is limited, not child, allergy or glucose free friendly. And the price is a bit outrageous for what one is served. After spending $45 for two for tea, one shouldn't have to go home to snack!

It is with great disappointment I make these statements because I was so thrilled to have a tea room in the location.

I took my 3yr. old and 4yr. old nieces as well as my teenage children and mother for tea today. The hostess was very nice to my nieces and brought out the dress up buggy for them. They were all decked out and enjoyed playing dress up. However, the rest of us were very disappointed in the food. My mother ordered the tuna melt and nothing was melted. She had also ordered the soup as her side dish, but the server came out and told her that it wasn't ready yet. That is not acceptable. It was cold. I ordered the quiche, which was ok except for the rotten lettuce it was sitting on. I would have rather not have had any lettuce on the plate. The portion size was so small that I ate a snack when I got home. There should have been a side especially for the money. If scones are your specialty, you need to find a new recipe. I went to England over the summer and the cranberry scones were nothing like the scones in England.

The tea room is decorated nicely and the people friendly. Our server, however, seemed very nervous and not confident.

We were expecting a lot from the #1 Tea Room and were sadly disappointed. We will stick to established tea rooms with yummy food, even though they are further away.

We went for the high tea which had a lot of sandwiches, some fruit, and some cookies. They had some cute ideas like cutting the sandwiches into shapes (e.g. butterfly) and the chocolate dipped strawberries, but the tea did not come with the traditional scones, and the coookies similar to Pepperidge Farm, only a less expensive brand. The sandwiches were sweet tasting and on average bread. I would not go back even though it may not be bad for a regular meal. We have been to over 30 tea rooms in Ohio and around the world. We visited this one because it was listed as the best in Ohio. We were disappointed. There was a lot of food -each person got their own three tiered tray, but it did not come with a plate to eat the food off of and it was obvious that the wait staff had no knowledge of tea.

Today to my delight i enjoyed lunch at Southern Gardens. Gail and Ron are lovely the selection is wonderful, decor so charming. I will not only be back but highly recommend to all. I am delighted to say I will be working with them in the future for a fashion show. I really am excited!!!! Keep up the Excellant work. Gerri -Gerri's closet.

It was a pleasure to find such a treat in my area. The welcome was warm and I loved the little shop out front.

The service was average and the food o.k. Not what I was expecting for the number one tea room in Ohio but it was good.

Southern Gardens has become a truly postive addition to our area. The people in this establishment are so wonderful.

The menu has a delightful variety of choices.

They really cater to children. Linda, from the antique store half of the place definitely made our 'little princess' (as she called my grand-daughter) feel so special and gave her a gift that she makes herself for the smaller set!

All Grandmothers should be aware that this is definitely to go on their TO-DO List!

We just loved our first visit to this lovely place. We wil be back and didn't find any problems with the service, the price, the food or the menu.

The antique shop, the dining room, even the ladies rooms are wonderfully decorated.

I have reservations for a group to visit later again this month. I look forward to it.

I took my group of Red Hats to this tea room today and was very disappointed. The young man who served us was pleasant enough, but not knowledgable. We were very disappointed in the 'store bought cookies', they have scones on the menu and would have made the tier so much more of what I would expect a tea tier to include. The sandwiches on the tiered server were lacking in 'filling' and not worth the $. I hate to give a bad review, but I got my hopes up for this #1 tea room in Ohio and I feel that it doesn't deserve #1. I guess all the great reviews didn't have the tiered server, but the menu items looked pricey.

This place really knows how to make a special day even more special. Thanks to all. You are such a gracious bunch in this day and age!

I was with a group when I first visited this tea room and have been there many times since. I always bring a new customer each time.

I could rave about the decor, the antiques, the food and all else... and not be mistaken with a word.

What I want to praise is the friendly, caring, intelligent people who have waited on me so many times.

Both Rose and Joe are wonderful in their roles and seem to love being there. In this place all the people seem like one large happy family. I don't know how they all came to be together but I will bet it is a great story.

Back to my praise of the wait-persons. If every establishment could have the good fortune to have people working for and with them (like these two) then they could consider themselves indeed blessed.

I will continue coming back and consider myself very fortunate to have this establishment open in my area.

My mother, aunt and I visited this tea room for the first time today after hearing another family member raving about it.

I am not easily impressed but I have to confess that from the instant we walked in we were enchanted. The lady that greeted us as we walked in the antique store was a most delightful woman. She was not only knowledgeable but also a fascinating person to converse with. The treasures that the store has to offer will just tickle any woman's fancy.

We had the most wondrous lunch. The dining room is very elegantly decorated and the young woman that served us was so kind and friendly. The chef came to our table and talked with us for a bit. The 'southern-gal' owner also stopped for a bit. No one seemed too busy to see to our pleasure.

The food was exceptional. I so enjoy ordering quiche when lunching and this was beyond expectations in the taste department!

I have to say in closing that this is the most comfortable place we have ever dined. When we left we all felt that we were leaving a friends' home and would be eager to visit again.

My mother, daughter and I really enjoyed our luch at this tea room. The atmosphere was wonderful and they are very child freindly. I just loved the dress up clothes provided for my daughter to enjoy!

The tea selection is amazing & the food was terrific. I had the best baked potato soup ever! I'll definately be back to this unique charming place close to home.

A wonderful tea room with a huge selection of teas and a varied menu with some unusual choices. Our server was friendly as was the owner and chef. Be sure to check out the ladies room. I hope to return soon

I truly enjoyed my first visit to this charming establishment. The service was fine and the decor was lovely. I enjoyed my food choices and found the prices in-line with my visits to other tea rooms.

I was enchanted with the antique shop with its marvelous treasures.

It is a real shame that the previous diner didn't know she should take the tea out of the pot when it was steeped to her liking. Dear, it always gets stronger the longer it steeps. Please keep that in mind when visiting any tea room.

A wonderful response from the owners to the complaint. It might be wise to educate each table on the fundamentals of tea service once you have served it as you may be getting many novices since your new in your area.

I will truly be visiting again and bragging to each of my lady friends.

We would like to thank Linda (07/01/09) for bringing her tea problem to our attention so that we could correct the problem. Since we are have received many compliments on our tea we felt there must be a problem we were not aware of. Upon investigation we found a new employee had not understood our instruction regarding the amount of tea to put into the sachets for a pot of tea and therefire she had overfilled several of them. We hae now corrected the problem and hope that she will give Southern Gardens another try at enjoying our full rich tea flavors. Thank you again for bringing this to our attention.

My mom and I were in the area and decided to try this tea room. The food was delicious, and the service was attentive. However, the tea was terrible!! It was brought out in a tea pot with the tea bag/posset still inside. (Our waitress told us they could add more hot water to the pot if we drank all the tea.) The longer the tea pot sat on our table, the stronger the tea became. Instead of enjoying a cup of tea with our dessert (which was very good), we had this dark-brown, bitter tasting brew. Please, please learn how to brew tea!

We had a party there with a few friends, and let me tell you, what a surprise when they brought out the food! It was presented on a 3 tier plate with gorgeous colors, amazing diversity in the food and it tasted fabulous. We've been to many tea rooms, but this tops all of them. It was just such a lovely surprise when they brought it out. All of us can't wait to go back again!

I had the pleasure of going to this beautiful tea room last week with my family. The decor was lovely and the antique shop was a nice suprise. But the pecan pie was amazing! Absolutely one of the best homemade pecan pies I've ever had, definately homemade and fresh! I will definately be visiting this tea room on a regular basis.

The tearoom was decorated beautifully and the gift shop had many lovely things. However, I personally would consider this establishment as just average compared to the other tea rooms I have personally visit (especially regard the prices).

The hostess and the server were very gracious, and the tea was served quickly, However,it took at least 20 minutes before they came back to take our orders. The hot food was served very tepid. The price of the tea was quite high (3.95) for a half a teapot.

This tearoom has only been open for a short while so I'm sure they will address some of the issues mentioned.

Loved going to this incredible place! It is really larger than I thought and has a diversely priced menu. I loved the cherry scones and the chicken salad.

The decor is charming and so comfortable. No one rushed us or even bothered us at all.

I plan on becoming a regular. I intend to try each tea available and all of the wonderful food selections.

This is a diverse little place with a full service menu a large selection of teas (50 something) and a gift/antique store. Intimate decor and excellant service. You really must visit to experience it for yourself.

Thanks for the memories.

A friend and I visited this darling tea room and will be back again. We loved the sea food salad, the quiche, the scones and the tea bread. The parfait and cheesecake were delicious.

Our server was friendly and didn't try to rush us at all (like at some other tea room).

We met Chef Fawn and told her how very pleased we were with her 'creations' and would be trying many more in the future.

In all, a merry time was had.

Thank you.

Absolutely the best pecan pie I have ever had! I don't know Chef Fawn's secret but she had better keep it under lock and key.

I took the advice of the lady in the antique shop and started with a dessert and think it is the best advice I had all day. What a lovely way to spend a Saturday afternoon...having tea with a friend, pecan pie and shopping for antiques!

We stopped in to check out the newspaper stories about this new place and have to admit the that Lisa Abrams was 100% right. The pie was amazing, the Chicken salad was wonderful and the antique store had a diverse selection with a delightfully helpful woman to help us. The decor was so nice and elegant but the atmosphere was homey and we made two new friends at the next table.

Keep the food as great as it is and the Chef as friendly as she is and we will be back again and again.

Loved everything about this visit. Especially adored meeting Chef Fawn and Heather. What a duo those two sisters are! This tea room is very lucky to have found them. I was expecting a good meal after reading all the articles about Chef Fawn but after dining I had to ask to meet the Chef. The meal was incredible and Chef didn't disappoint. She bought out additional goodies for a taste treat.

Ladies, if you haven't tried this tea room yet...get over there. This sister team of Chefs is definitely worth the visit. None of the newspaper articles were wrong.

The decor was lovely and the antique store was a definite trip down memory lane. I found the lady there a real delight and so helpful. I purchased a couple of little things but will be back.

A real winning combination!

I took my mother to the Mother's Day High Tea on Saturday and had a wonderful time. We were joined by my two sisters and my niece and all agreed that we had never seen my mother eat or laugh so much!

The food (both variety and presentation) was fantastic. That isn't even mentioning the fact that everything tasted amazing!

Five stars to the chefs on this occasion. Thanks for making this a magnificent occasion and a delightful memory!

I enjoyed this meal but it could have been so much better just by changing one thing. I was asking the antique shop woman a question about a compact in a case and was constantly interrupted by some man working there trying to rush me into the dining room.

The food was great, the service was great but why is some old man seating me? This is a Tea Room for crying out loud! As I was looking at the daily specials posted up front he started reading them to me as if I couldn't read!

As my daughter and I were deciding what to order here he came again describing the food. Again...I can read.

While we were enjoying our meal and conversation the man interrupted us again! For goodness sake, if I wanted some old man bothering me, I would have stayed at home.

Came time to check out and guess who the cashier was....Took him three tries to finally get the cash register to do whatever he was trying to get it to do.

Tell him that I am probably not the only one that feels this way.

I could have given an all excellent rating except for the stalker man that is so rude. Come on read a book or something but leave the customers alone. This is a tea room I came here expecting to get away from annoying men. If they are there I would expect them to be customers, not bothering me. I have nothing against men. I am married and have three sons. But this should be an oasis in the storm for women!

Your competitors don't have men constantly looking over the customers shoulders. Ms. M in Medina may be a man but I don't have to see him.

Also, I wondered why there has been no advertising of the antique shop. It is a great place to shop and listened to another woman say the same thing.

I will visit once more to shop at the antique shop and see if this was just a one-time bad experience. The food was good and I liked the decor.

Took my Mom for a special treat and was not disappointed. Treated like Royalty. Highly reccommend. Food and Staff were execellant.

This tea room is everything I was hoping and more. I will be back and I do recommend it to all. The way they make the tea for you is such a neat way to serve it, they have a different iced tea every day, and the server was able to answer all of my questions about the food. This tea room is the most enchanting site I have ever seen.

My goodness! This was just a wonderful visit. I bought antiques at their delightful shop and had a fantastic meal served by a doll of a waitress named Rose. The entire experience was a big A+ for my group!

We will be coming back again soon.

I must say that this visit was beyond any expectations I had! Walking in the front door to the antique shoppe and being immediately greeted by a friendly lady and taken to the hostess was like a walk through time. There was so much to see. She told me that I could look at the wares before, during and after dining.

The Old World Plantation decor in the dining room was charming as well as having many of the antique items priced! I could eat and shop at the same time!

The service was friendly, well-informed and timely. The food was well presented and delicious. I had the quiche and found myself asking for a to-go box as I was completely satiated.

My friends and I stayed longer for conversation and shopping without being rushed to leave.

Anyone who leaves this establishment feeling they had less than a good experience must have entered looking for a bad time, works for the competition or just has a mean disposition.

All restaurants open only three weeks should only wish to be so good!

I looked at the negative comments left by a previous post, noted the poor spelling and wording and realized that terrible taste and manners can exist anywhere....even on this fine site.

Southern Gardens....you should definitely be a success and we will be back many more times to come!

To the above posters with the negative remarks, while I respect an opinion as much as the next guy, I might say that some things are just better left unsaid, until I remembered that this is the Internet where even Tea House bashing has become fair game.

In review of The Southern Tea Garden let us begin with the tea itself, and my amazement that there so many kinds of tea to be had in one place, not to mention the staff that seems educated in what each variety has to offer not only in terms of taste, but how it will sit with you after consumption.

This being my first visit to a Tea Room, I was impressed with the Victorian style atmosphere, from the furniture clear down to the smallest detail like the little doll house salt and pepper shakers. It was like taking a trip back in time to when people had time to enjoy a cup of tea.

Now to the food! The menu, which is as well laid out as one could be, is just chocked full of delicious, healthy (might I stress healthy) choices not commonly found in your average restaurant. I was also delighted with the choice of deserts that perfectly compliment a good cup of tea. All of this, coupled with the excellent service leaves me with only one thing to say.

If your looking for a Tea Room in Summit County, do your self a favor and look no further folks. This is the one!

After anxciouly waiting for this tea room to be opened I was so excited about going. However, upon arriving there was anyone at the front door to seat you and since I already knew two friends were there - I just looked for them. The atmosphere was enchanting but the service was slowing. The server was knew and apparantly was training properly to inform you about their specials fo the day. The amount of food that we received was extremely small for the amount of money they are charging and them the owner tried to explain that their portion were larger than Miss Molly's and since I have been to Miss Molly;='s - I knew this wasn't true. As for the quality of the food - I wasn't that impressed after reading the qualifications of their chef. If you are just going for curiousity - I say go ahead but with the constant increase in todays economy - but might want to rethink your choice.

a charming new tearoom...the decor is Georgia southern..the food is fresh and beautifully presented...southern hospitality in a lakeside community

Southern Gardens was absolutely fantastic, the food was divine, the service was hospitable and very kind and the atmosphere was like nothing I had ever seen.