Care for a ‘Cuppa Tea?
Tea setting at Dream Come True Tea & Party Room. Photo by Danielle Austin.
In a small alcove on the Atlantic Avenue strip in Bixby Knolls lies a tearoom that helps all of its customer’s dreams come true. That is, of course, if they like tea and tea parties.
Dream Come True Tea & Party Room makes you feel like you’re being transported into a dreamlike fantasy world that you, like myself, might have imagined as a small child. It’s whimsical, magical, and even more enchanting than your wildest fantasy.
From the moment I entered the tea shop, it felt like I was thrust into an entirely new realm — as opposed to the dreary gray and white buildings that confronted me outside.
In the tearoom, I was greeted by walls painted in shades of peacock, emerald, dark teal and gold. Even the upholstery adorned in silky gold fabric had character. Soft, calming fantasy-esque music played from a hidden speaker as I sat in a wooden chair — one you might only see in lavish garden parties portrayed on screen.
The interior’s eclectic decor transports patrons into a fantasy world. Photo by Danielle Austin.
Once inside the establishment, I was greeted by the owner, Elena Maria Nilsson (previously Hassan), and was asked to sit at one of her many decorated tables, adorned by florals.
Nilsson handed me a menu, inscribed with swirling cursive letters and enough delectable dishes to make one debate over their choices.
After careful consideration, I decided to try one of the more popular afternoon tea packages on the menu, the “Marie’s Tea” package.
This option included three refreshing tea sandwiches: a tangy egg salad on white bread, a hearty turkey, lettuce and cranberry on whole grain bread, and a creamy chicken salad on whole grain.
Owner of Dream Come True Tea and Party Room, Elena Maria Nilsson. Photo by Danielle Austin.
Each tea cake, or “petit fours,” I ordered was unique as well.
The first was a hardened chocolate-covered morsel topped with a ripe strawberry. This cake’s exterior had all the consistency of the outer shell of a Little Debbie cake while keeping what, in my experience, little Debbie lacks: an incredibly moist chocolate center.
The second petit four was similar to the previous, except that it was covered in a white outer shell without the fruit. Though this cake was simpler in composition, its light and airy vanilla taste was still exquisite.
The third delight I ordered happened to be a simple strawberry shortcake.
The vanilla icing on the shortcake was wrapped around a small dollop of strawberry jelly, leaving a delightful tang on my palate. Like its predecessors, this cake, too, felt delicate, decadent and special in a way that is hard to describe — almost like you are sampling a small secret.
In addition to the sandwiches and petit fours was a dish to savor: a warm, crumbly cranberry scone. Paired with a dollop of clotted cream, each bite was a tart mixture of soft, yet dense pastry and heavenly creamed decadence.
A spread fit for the perfect tea party, complete with your choice of sandwiches, pastries and tea. Photo by Danielle Austin.
As a connoisseur of everything tea since I was old enough to throw my first tea party, not only was my inner child leaping with joy to play with rose-covered teacups again, but she was delighted to try a tea that was ten times more unique than the Lipton tea bags she used to find in her mother's worn pantry cabinet.
After perusing my tea selection, I chose the summer rose tea that expresses hints of floral fragrance with a slight tang. It brought to my mind late summer afternoons as you soak in the sunlight while sitting on a front porch.
When you order each pairing, Nilsson allows for refills. For myself alone, I drank a pot and a half of tea! Thank God it was not caffeinated.
Coupled with the sandwiches, the petit fours and the scone, this meal felt like teatime with your loving, eccentric aunt who has a curious affinity for collecting porcelain.
After all was said and done, the price of my meal came out to $38.95. For the amount of food I received, I can honestly say — not too shabby.
If you are looking for a unique, enchanting experience, look no further than Dream Come True Tea and Party Room. Your adventure is sure to be a delight!
You can visit Dream Come True Tea & Party Room at 4350 Atlantic Ave, Long Beach, CA. Visit their website to stay updated with hours and special events: www.dreamcometrueteaandpartyroom.com