06/24/09

One of the Best

by gonzo3000

The decor here is a perfect representation of the food and overall experience while at the tea room. The backyard, with the oak benches and unique lighting, feels like my own backyard in the summer. Inside, the cool vintage looking wall paper and green tiled bar give the tea room a sort of country appeal, yet with the preserved commercial feel of the original building space still in tact, you know you are in Williamsburg.

The food is what I like to describe as a French inspired take on American classics. My favorite part about the menu are the specials. Though the original menu is filled with tasty food as well, the specials are what bring me back. The fish sandwich, the scallop ceviche, the carrot soup... any description I could write couldn't do them justice. The steak tar tar brunch (with deviled eggs and bread cooked in truffle oil) is amazing; I find myself eating it at least two Sundays a month. Then there's the full bar, the great selection of beer, the cocktail menu, the knowledgeable bartenders... it's really what you might call a world class bar of it's own inside a top quality restaurant. I go to the tea room for drinks more often than dinner.

The staff is exceptional, I'm always greeted with a smile, and it's not uncommon for the waiters/waitresses to remember your name. I can't remember the last time that happened elsewhere. Some of co-workers can't even remember my name.

In conclusion, get there!

• Pros: Great Staff, Great Drinks, and Better food
• Cons: Can get busy, but eating by the bar is usually an option

03/10/09

Love this place!

by CSMobileUser

We love this place. Great food and amazing atmosphere

12/03/08

Went Downhill

by tpersis

My husband and I went to Roebling Tea room about 2 months ago.

I have had decent meals there in the past, but this was his first time. What a shame that the service and food had declined.

We went for an early dinner on a friday, hardly anyone was there,

but the waitress felt the need to rush out our food.

My husband's very thick pork chop came out raw. It used to be tasty, but they now serve it with a pickled garnish all over it, so that is up to the taste buds, of who, I can not imagine. The waitress had already been unpleasant telling us we didn't order something, (a side) when I knew we did, and she must have not heard us correctly.

Instead of agreeing with us, or even bringing it out she just said "no, you did not order that".

My flank steak was actually ok but I felt it was overpriced for what it was, and almost all sides come separate. The atmosphere is still very nice,

but the service and quality of the food cancels the nice part out.

A friend who came in for drinks at the same time, also ended up eating there that night and agreed it had gone down hill. Why does this always seem to happen in the 'burg?

• Pros: Ambience
• Cons: Snotty hipster know it all waitress and raw pork

09/30/08

An OK place

by Michele84

Atmosphere is great. Food is good and fresh, but quality wasn't anything special. Menu is interesting in that it is not everyday dish.

The waitress on the hand was half way to retarded. EXREMELY slow, whispered everything that came out of her mouth so that we had to struggle to hear anything she was saying over the music. She also had NO IDEA what anything was on the menu and could not explain ANYTHING. Horrible service, decent food.

08/04/08

the meat is on the program

by jsanby

This is one of my favorite restaurants in the whole city. They have a wonderful approach to food and ingredients, and fresh (and I mean FRESH) specials every night. Originally we started going there for tea, but discovered the real attraction is the food. Their beef specials are the best; every night they have a different cut of freshly butchered meat prepared in the most rustic and delicious fashion (they actually purchase a whole cow every week and have it butchered). The NY strip was the best EVER.

Ironically it's my favorite restaurant to take my veggie friends, too. One night after dining on fresh vidalia onions and deep-fried garlic shoots, we needed a palate cleanser, so the manager suggested fresh radishes! We had wanted something fruity, but decided to take a chance on it anyway. The salted radishes turned out to be a great suggestion. They cleared up the stinky garlic breath and they were delicious. It was great!

Read the specials menu carefully. You'll usually find some funny commentary about the date or the ingredients or something. I only wish it wasn't so dark in there, it can be hard to see what you're eating. There was better lighting dining outside on the patio.

• Pros: freshest seasonal ingredients, big cuts of meat, delicious everything, great decor.
• Cons: very low lighting, too bad cuz you can't see the decor.

05/29/08

Light-filled cafe that works for brunch, lunch or after-dinner sipping.

by Karen Hudes

The Scene
High, arched windows, a green-tiled counter and white wainscoting make this former factory space an attractive spot for an afternoon bite. During the day, Williamsburg residents in search of sandwiches and fragrant teas wander in, some taking to the sectional couches in back for coffee and wine, while evenings are quieter.

The Food
Flavor-packed sandwiches of pressed gruyere, mustard and escarole, and snappy bratwurst with braised onions, paired with a fresh potato salad dressed in creme fraiche and dill, are among the strongest offerings. The pulled pork arrives dry and overwhelmingly salty, and the sardines on crostini are chopped into characterlessness. At dinner, the staff becomes flummoxed, serving appetizers and main dishes at once and off-temperature, rendering an otherwise sharp mac and cheese chilly. In this potentially soothing room, it's best to keep it simple: a burger never fails. Of the desserts, the smooth chocolate pot au creme is the way to go.

02/09/08

Great Atmosphere

by shetalksfast

Went for tea and a bite to eat early on a Friday. Got great comfy seats in the back, the vibe was really nice and relaxing. We ordered light plates (salads and mac and cheese) the portions weren't huge, but the prices were fair and the food tasty. The service wasn't professional but it was friendly and fit the atmoshpere. I've seen a lot of bad reviews but I really enjoyed the place and would go back. It's a great for people who don't drink alcohol but like to go out at night.

• Pros: great space
• Cons: I could see it getting very crowded late night or weekend brunches

08/21/07

Best Value, One of the Best of Williamsburg

by oliveolive

I am surprised by the negative reviews of this place. It is one of my favorites in Williamsburg for a number of reasons. First, it's a great space, with high ceilings, comfortable seating options, and well thought out decor. Secondly, the menu changes daily so there is always something new to try. Yes, the menu is small, but at least you never get bored with the options. The food is usually delicious and unique for a reasonable price. It's a cafe, and not a "restaurant" but I think that's part of the real appeal. Plus they always play good music, especially if you like 60's folk classics like Bob Dylan, or more recent mellow indie stuff. I for one am glad they don't allow laptops after 7, I thinks it's depressing to go into a cafe and see everyone sitting alone, staring into their computer. I mean, there are also coffee shops in the neighborhood if you want to work on your paper for school or write your novel or whatever. This place doesn't really have that kind of a vibe to it. Honestly, as a local, I am so glad that this cafe exists.

• Pros: Food, Ambience, Unique Menu
• Cons: Servers are Cute but not especially professional

06/11/07

The garden is happenin'

by boompotty22

I've been to the RTR countless times: weekday lunch/snacks, a few breakfasts, evening dessert, even stop in just for a tea or coffee. Its always been fine but not great. I've never been disappointed, yet I've never been blown away. Basically this place has enormous potential and I hope it continues to thrive - its locations is great, the space is welcoming and comfy for the most part, and the food is fresh, drinks are lovely. I finally had my first experience with the garden which I was thrilled about!! I was already tipsy to begin with and my fella and I wanted to have more wine. We were very happy with the wine selection, it was small, but we were very familiar with the wines they offered so that was nice. The price was $10 or under for a generous pour (thank you!). I had the white from Alsace which was $8, fresh, crisp, and chilled just so. We got the munchies and ordered the daily special cheese plate. It was a good selection but I was rather disappointed it did not come with any bread or crackers or fruit or honey or, well, anything....but we were both on our second glass of wine and feeling good so we let it slide. It was just cheese on a plate. Duh. I understand full well this is not a restaurant, rather a cafe, but still, a little something would have been nice for the price ($12/$15). The waitress also did not tell us what the cheese was so I grabbed a menu and we figured the cheese out that way. Regardless this is a nice place to grab a drink (good beers, nice wines, specialty drinks are rather cool), and I love a place that serves gerkins and interesting sandwiches. We'll go back, but its not my first choice. I will go back when I want to drink wine in a garden. The people/crowd were unpretentious hip people.

• Pros: garden is lovely!! beer and wine selction
• Cons: cheese plate was just cheese. on a plate. Service could have been more attentive. She was nice though.

05/13/07

Great weekend spot for relaxing

by tobydog22

We visited the Roebling Tea Room for a light lunch on Saturday. The willow tile makes the room feel airy and restful. The tea selection is amazing, ranging from whimsical choices (such as "Moonpie") to more traditional types. The frittata was delicious, as was an unusual ricotta and fig spread sandwich strewn with dried cherries. Both accompanied by a fresh baby arugula salad. Prices are very reasonable. We loved it & will definitely return. Lots of choices for vegetarians.

• Pros: Pleasant ambiance, great tea selection
• Cons: None, really--we liked it all