NC
User's reviews
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The Mad Hatter Tea Room & Eatery
After reading all the excellent reviews of the Mad Hatter, I decided to call with a few questions prior to making reservations. I was very impressed by the selection of loose leaf tea they offered and by the wide variety of food I was told they serve and was becoming quite excited to book tea for a group of my friends. However, being pregnant, there are several dietary restrictions that my doctor has asked that I follow. After I inquired if they would be able to substitute other sandwiches in place of the ones my doctor had asked me to avoid, I was shocked by how rudely I was treated. I was told that there were many pregnant women in the tea room that very day eating the sandwiches I was unable to eat. I was questioned about why I couldn't eat those items if other pregnant women could. And the person I spoke with sounded skeptical that I was actually following medical advice! Regardless of what her personal feelings about my choices are, all she had to do was politely let me know that the tea room was unable to accommodate dietary restrictions and that they hoped I would join them after I could resume my normal diet. Had she done this, I would likely visit this tearoom with my friends after the birth of my child. However, I am so turned off by the rudeness with which I was treated (and my friends were all shocked when I told them what transpired) that we are unlikely to ever patronize this establishment. Fortunately, The Mad Hatter was the only tea room of the many I contacted with such a disrespectful attitude. While the quality of food and a wide tea selection are the most important criteria for us, we will not patronize places that do not treat people with common courtesy and respect.
Tearoom response:
While we strive to accomodate many dietary restrictions there are occassions when it is not possible. In your situation your had medically prescribed guidlines that we were not able to accomodate. You had asked if we had a special menu for pregnant woman which was confusing as we have many pregnant woman eat in our tea room. We apologize that you felt questioned and disrespected as that is never our intent. We were only looking out for your well being and your childs in telling you that we would not be able to accomodate your dietary restrictions. We did invite you to come relax with your friends after your newborn arrives and your restrictions were lifted. We wish you a blessed and happy birth of your new baby.
The Mad Hatter's