mothers & family | simple pleasures

A PROPER
CELEBRATION

Tea and scones ... or petit fours

By JESSICA L. KEATING, PHOTOS BY THOMAS R. CORDOVA

SCRUMPTIOUS sandwiches, pretty petit fours and a warm cup of comfort - there may be nothing more relaxing this Mother's Day than a trip to one of the Inland Empire's tea rooms.

From soft music to ladylike place settings and multiple courses, tea sets the table for reflection and old-fashioned girl talk. "It's a little less hustle and bustle, so don't be in a hurry when you come for tea," says Eve Gaxiola-Robles, owner of Tea Garden of Eve in Rancho Cucamonga.

Brett Seliger advises the same to patrons of Aladdin's Tea Room in Redlands, which he manages for his wife, Cheri, the owner. "People come here to be spoiled and we do the best we can," he says. So, moms, put down your cell phones, turn off your computers and resist the urge for a quick caffeine fix at your neighborhood Starbucks. Slow down and stop for a perfectly steeped pot of tea - and let someone pamper you for a change.

Aladdin's Tea Room
838 Tri-City Center Drive, Redlands, (909) 307-0793 Mother's Day Tea will be served beginning at 10 a.m. May 10-11. Choose from 50 loose-leaf teas and sample sandwiches featuring fillings such as roasted tomatoes and crabmeat. Each mother will leave the store with a new teapot.

Cost is $30. Reservations recommended.

The tea room is open 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday. Reservations for parties of four or more are appreciated; walk-ins for lunch or dessert are welcome.

Tea Garden of Eve
8976 Foothill Blvd. B-6, Rancho Cucamonga, (909) 980-4177, www.teagardenofeve.com Celebrate Mother's Day the whole month of May with a special tea featuring a complete service with your own pot of tea, sandwiches, scones and dessert.

Moms who select the Queen Mum Tea will be presented with a rose and a special dessert, English trifle. Cost is $20 to $30; a children's menu is available for $13. Tea will be served from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 10-11. Reservations are required.

The tea garden's hours are 11 a.m. to 6p.m.

Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

Barbara's Victorian Tea House & Gift Shop
7491 Etiwanda Ave., Rancho Cucamonga, (909) 899-1700, www.barbarasvictorianteahouse.com Owner Barbara Lopez invites you to sample Barbara's Blend, a cinnamon spice tea, or one of more than 100 other varieties at a Mother's Day Rose Tea from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 10-11.

Cost is $18 to $25 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Reservations are required.

If you can't make it Mother's Day weekend, come by throughout the month of May for a "little something extra," Lopez says.

Martha Green's Eating Room
107 E. Citrus Ave., Redlands, (909) 792-5400 Enjoy a three-tiered rack filled with scones, tea-sized sandwiches and desserts along with vegetable quiche and four tea choices.

Mother's Day Tea will be served from 4 to 6 p.m.

May 10. Cost is $20. Reservations are required.

The Eating Room serves its rustic tea from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.

Reservations required.

Enchanted Rose Tea Parlor
120 W. Bonita Ave., Suite G, San Dimas, (909) 394-4588, www.enchantedrosetea.com The annual Mother's Day Fashion Show and Tea offers two sittings at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. May 10. Cost is $30 per person. Reservations required.

Regular hours are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.

More options for tea
British Emporium and Tea Room
908 Central Ave. Upland (909) 920-9110

Mill Creek Manor Tea Room
39904 Big Bear Blvd., Big Bear Lake (909) 866-8066

Luci's Joy of Tea
1099 Christobal Lane, Colton (909) 746-6447