Restaurant DeGolyer

Located inside the Dallas Arboretum, Restaurant Degolyer offers a tranquil and relaxing lunch. During my visit for lunch, I chowed the Niçoise salad and the shrimp and seafood stuffed avocado, which left me thoroughly impressed. The dishes were expertly prepared and presented by Gil’s Elegant Catering, reflecting the talent of Executive Chef James Sparks. The outdoor courtyard seating provided a serene and calming ambiance, making it an ideal spot for a relaxing meal. I fed a squirrel. I confess.

+3

Perfect place to eat lunch/brunch while at the arboretum! We came in around 1:30pm on a Saturday and were seated quickly (within 10 minutes). We sat outside and enjoyed the live music and the scenery. I got the tea plate platter and my boyfriend got the salmon salad. Both were good. Also recommend to get their bottomless mimosas!

Passionate staff, beautiful setting. Romantic. Multiple plant based options, all are good.

I got the seafood avocado salad, husband got the salmon, son got the grilled cheese. Mine was absolutely delicious; highly recommend. Husband’s salmon was a little dry but still palatable, son didn’t like the grilled cheese and loved the French fries; but he prefers Kraft cheese on his, not real cheese. I thought it was good.

Our lunch server Denise was really great. Weather for Memorial Day weekend was perfect so we sat on the outdoor patio with a terrific unobstructed view. I ordered the caprese salad, it was very fresh and a good portion size. Slightly disappointed that a cocktail menu wasn’t available only beer and wine.

I recently escaped to the DeGolyer House Tea Room at the Dallas Arboretum and found it to be a flawless blend of history, elegance, and flavor. Sunlight pours through large windows, illuminating delicate china and crisp linens as you settle in. The three-course service begins with a velvety seasonal soup served in a petite demitasse, followed by an artful selection of tea sandwiches—think smoked salmon, chicken salad and curried egg salad among others—and finishes with petite pastries: lemon tarts, chocolate-dipped strawberries, and freshly baked scones with clotted cream and house-made jam. Service here is the real standout (Olivia particularly, but all the staff, really). Our server anticipated every need, seamlessly refilling bone-china teacups and even smuggling for me an extra chicken salad sandwich which was the most delicious tea sandwich ever. Each course was paired with a thoughtfully chosen tea— chamomile, robust black English breakfast, and a rotating herbal infusion—that complemented the flavors beautifully. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply craving a refined afternoon retreat, this tea experience feels like a mini-vacation amid the gardens and is absolutely worth savoring.

The service was the worst. Love most of the food. The soup was too cold. But that is due to service. I got Seafood Avocado Salad. Such a beautiful view outside fall weather.

If it's nice enough outside to stroll at the arboretum it's nice enough to enjoy brunch on the patio. The food was amazing, with huge portions that I couldn't finish. The potatoes were some of the best I've had. Seasoned so you don't need any salt. Come hungry because you'll leave stuffed. The waitstaff were exceedingly attentive. Our drinks were never empty, and there's refills on the non alcoholic selections. Do note that the drinks are limited just due to the location. There's drip coffee but not lattes, tea and juice , etc. The line starts well before 11, but there's actually a good amount of seating. Patio tables can easily seat 4-5 and you can see white Rock lake from there. Bring the whole squad.

Diego was so nice! Customer Service overall was amazing. We felt so welcomed, and the food did not disappoint. Really enjoyed their chicken marsala. I also like their mushroom soup and dessert. Thank you Diego and the rest of the team Who topped off such a beautiful afternoon at botanical Gardens in Dallas, Texas. So grateful for things like these!!!

Please follow us on Facebook and Instagram at SNDTRAVELS & Eat Well Travel Often I got to admit that when it comes to eating at city attractions my expectations are pretty low. Usually you pay for prepackaged food at tourist prices. We decided to give the Restaurant Degoyler at the Dallas Arboretum a shot because it was such a great atmosphere and day. What a nice surprise to find an enjoyable meal. Diane and her parents both had the club sandwiches and I had the Salad Niçoise –" a Provencal Style Salad with Broiled Salmon Filet, Organic Baby Lettuce, Poached Potatoes, Green Beans, Kalamata Olives, Poached Eggs and Tomato Wedge" . Very good combination and well cooked salmon. The salad was fresh and crispy. The sandwiches were also fresh and well portioned. Diane had the rosemary chips and her folks had the French fries. Both of which they fully enjoyed. To finish off Diane and I shared a Creme Brule that was smooth and tasty. Overall recommended four thumbs-up 👍👍👍👍.

Exceeded expectations! One in our party preferred dairy free and gluten free and the offerings were great! Everything was amazing!

I recently discovered Restaurant DeGolyer during a visit to the Dallas Arboretum, and it absolutely exceeded expectations. Tucked inside the historic DeGolyer House, the restaurant offers one of the most enchanting lunch settings in Dallas, with indoor seating or a breezy outdoor loggia overlooking White Rock Lake. From the moment we sat down, we were greeted by friendly, genuine service. Our host, Diego, went above and beyond, warm, attentive, and constantly making sure we were comfortable. His positivity set the tone for the whole experience. The menu is simple but thoughtful: fresh ingredients, clean flavors, and multiple plant-based options that all delivered.  What I loved most: the combination of ambiance + food + service. Dining there feels romantic but relaxed, perfect for a date, a special treat for yourself, or a calm afternoon with a view. All in all, Restaurant DeGolyer is a hidden gem that balances scenic elegance, delectable food, and heartfelt service. I’ll definitely be back, and hope to bring friends who’ll fall in love with it too.

Went for weekend brunch, really delicious! Everything tasted really good. I took my friend for her birthday and when I told the waitress that, they gave us a little slice of lemon cake which was really delicious. Overall really good food and very sweet staff :)

Had the kids summer afternoon tea experience. The atmosphere was lovely and service was great. Such a nice opportunity to get fancy and take the kids for an experience combined with a walk at the park. We were lucky with it being not too hot and cloudy to enjoy the walk there from the car and walk around after. The food was fresh and tasty. Our girls loved it. Especially the desert part 😉 The serving was beautiful.

Lovely tea room at the Dallas arboretum. Staff is well trained on proper tea service.

My family loved our experience here this afternoon! We ordered the Stuffed Avocado Salad, Grilled Cheese W/ Tomato Soup, and Salad Trio. They were all AMAZING! The service from Hugo was excellent! We will be back so he can make us some more French 75’s!

I recently visited Restaurant DeGolyer in Dallas and really enjoyed it. The view of White Rock Lake is beautiful, and the outdoor seating makes it a perfect spot to relax. The food is fresh and tasty, with simple but satisfying options. The staff is friendly and attentive, which makes the experience even better. Definitely a great place to enjoy a meal while taking in the scenery.

My Daughter and I drove from San Antonio for a spring break visit to tour some Dallas sites. We had lunch at this beautiful restaurant! We didn't have a previous reservation and had to wait an hour. That was understandable. We used that time to continue touring the Dallas Arboretum. The ambiance was wonderful at the restaurant, and our server and the staff were friendly and attentive! My Daughter had the Chicken Picatta, and I had the Salad Nicoise. Both were absolutely delicious!!! The menu has so many other amazing items. This will be our go-to restaurant when we visit again!

Great vegetarian options! The cauliflower steak was fantastic, eggs were delicious and my friend enjoyed his fish & chips. Service was a bit slow due to the crowd, but the ambience and delicious food made up for it!

Delightful setting. We had lunch here . Excellent salmon with a lemon butter sauce, husband had caprese burger special. Son had a french dip sandwich which he enjoyed. The tomato basil soup was awesome...homemade and gourmet...so fresh! Relaxing music. Cool air conditioning delightful on a hot day in the Arboretum. Very good service. Water glasses stayed full! I accidentally left my credit card in with the bill and the waiter ran after me to give it back! Most kind and appreciated!

R Morretti

I recently discovered Restaurant DeGolyer during a visit to the Dallas Arboretum, and it absolutely exceeded expectations. Tucked inside the historic DeGolyer House, the restaurant offers one of the most enchanting lunch settings in Dallas, with indoor seating or a breezy outdoor loggia overlooking White Rock Lake. From the moment we sat down, we were greeted by friendly, genuine service. Our host, Diego, went above and beyond, warm, attentive, and constantly making sure we were comfortable. His positivity set the tone for the whole experience. The menu is simple but thoughtful: fresh ingredients, clean flavors, and multiple plant-based options that all delivered.  What I loved most: the combination of ambiance + food + service. Dining there feels romantic but relaxed, perfect for a date, a special treat for yourself, or a calm afternoon with a view. All in all, Restaurant DeGolyer is a hidden gem that balances scenic elegance, delectable food, and heartfelt service. I’ll definitely be back, and hope to bring friends who’ll fall in love with it too.

Katie

My family loved our experience here this afternoon! We ordered the Stuffed Avocado Salad, Grilled Cheese W/ Tomato Soup, and Salad Trio. They were all AMAZING! The service from Hugo was excellent! We will be back so he can make us some more French 75’s!

Kristina Simkin

I recently visited Restaurant DeGolyer in Dallas and really enjoyed it. The view of White Rock Lake is beautiful, and the outdoor seating makes it a perfect spot to relax. The food is fresh and tasty, with simple but satisfying options. The staff is friendly and attentive, which makes the experience even better. Definitely a great place to enjoy a meal while taking in the scenery.

silas halabiscus

Went for weekend brunch, really delicious! Everything tasted really good. I took my friend for her birthday and when I told the waitress that, they gave us a little slice of lemon cake which was really delicious. Overall really good food and very sweet staff :)

Mary Tsilov

Had the kids summer afternoon tea experience. The atmosphere was lovely and service was great. Such a nice opportunity to get fancy and take the kids for an experience combined with a walk at the park. We were lucky with it being not too hot and cloudy to enjoy the walk there from the car and walk around after. The food was fresh and tasty. Our girls loved it. Especially the desert part 😉 The serving was beautiful.

Aishwarya Agarwal

Great vegetarian options! The cauliflower steak was fantastic, eggs were delicious and my friend enjoyed his fish & chips. Service was a bit slow due to the crowd, but the ambience and delicious food made up for it!

Erin Steed

Lovely tea room at the Dallas arboretum. Staff is well trained on proper tea service.

Debra

My Daughter and I drove from San Antonio for a spring break visit to tour some Dallas sites. We had lunch at this beautiful restaurant! We didn't have a previous reservation and had to wait an hour. That was understandable. We used that time to continue touring the Dallas Arboretum. The ambiance was wonderful at the restaurant, and our server and the staff were friendly and attentive! My Daughter had the Chicken Picatta, and I had the Salad Nicoise. Both were absolutely delicious!!! The menu has so many other amazing items. This will be our go-to restaurant when we visit again!

wendy boettcher

Exceeded expectations! One in our party preferred dairy free and gluten free and the offerings were great! Everything was amazing!

Allison Batchelor

Delightful setting. We had lunch here . Excellent salmon with a lemon butter sauce, husband had caprese burger special. Son had a french dip sandwich which he enjoyed. The tomato basil soup was awesome...homemade and gourmet...so fresh! Relaxing music. Cool air conditioning delightful on a hot day in the Arboretum. Very good service. Water glasses stayed full! I accidentally left my credit card in with the bill and the waiter ran after me to give it back! Most kind and appreciated!

Erin Wilson

If it's nice enough outside to stroll at the arboretum it's nice enough to enjoy brunch on the patio. The food was amazing, with huge portions that I couldn't finish. The potatoes were some of the best I've had. Seasoned so you don't need any salt. Come hungry because you'll leave stuffed. The waitstaff were exceedingly attentive. Our drinks were never empty, and there's refills on the non alcoholic selections. Do note that the drinks are limited just due to the location. There's drip coffee but not lattes, tea and juice , etc. The line starts well before 11, but there's actually a good amount of seating. Patio tables can easily seat 4-5 and you can see white Rock lake from there. Bring the whole squad.

Cindy Ramirez

Diego was so nice! Customer Service overall was amazing. We felt so welcomed, and the food did not disappoint. Really enjoyed their chicken marsala. I also like their mushroom soup and dessert. Thank you Diego and the rest of the team Who topped off such a beautiful afternoon at botanical Gardens in Dallas, Texas. So grateful for things like these!!!

Sara Govero

Located inside the Dallas Arboretum, Restaurant Degolyer offers a tranquil and relaxing lunch. During my visit for lunch, I chowed the Niçoise salad and the shrimp and seafood stuffed avocado, which left me thoroughly impressed. The dishes were expertly prepared and presented by Gil’s Elegant Catering, reflecting the talent of Executive Chef James Sparks. The outdoor courtyard seating provided a serene and calming ambiance, making it an ideal spot for a relaxing meal. I fed a squirrel. I confess.

The Restaurant Degolyer experience is exquisite! The servers, Olivia and Hugo in particular, were incredibly friendly and personable, as well as knowledgeable about the menu and teas. The tea selection changes around, and the ones we were presented with were lovely. As a tea fanatic, I loved this experience! Not to mention, the food and snacks were delicious and so well made and presented. The inside of the the restaurant was so beautiful and elegant, and the ambiance became an integral part of the full experience. Unfortunately, the Arboretum itself charges plenty of fees for you to even access this restaurant, but the experience at Restaurant Degolyer (managed by Proof of Pudding catering) was fantastic!!

My friend and I had a lovely experience here after the nightmarish cluster of unorganization that is the Dallas Arboretum itself. It's important to note that the property is owned by the Arboretum and you still have to pay the $20 parking and $25 per person admission even if you want to eat at the restaurant. Which sucks but HOWEVER!!!!! The restaurant itself is managed by Proof of Pudding catering company, NOT the arboretum. Everyone working there was incredibly knowledgeable and kind. We booked a tea to celebrate my dear friends engagement/bachelorette. The food and tea were exceptional, Olivia and Hugo were both incredible servers. The building was stunning, incredible atmosphere despite the dead, sad botanical gardens outside. Restaurant Degolyer does the best it can in a crappy situation, and truly shines through it. If you can deal with the hidden arboretum fees, I highly recommend this experience.

Ariana Elena Perea

The Restaurant Degolyer experience is exquisite! The servers, Olivia and Hugo in particular, were incredibly friendly and personable, as well as knowledgeable about the menu and teas. The tea selection changes around, and the ones we were presented with were lovely. As a tea fanatic, I loved this experience! Not to mention, the food and snacks were delicious and so well made and presented. The inside of the the restaurant was so beautiful and elegant, and the ambiance became an integral part of the full experience. Unfortunately, the Arboretum itself charges plenty of fees for you to even access this restaurant, but the experience at Restaurant Degolyer (managed by Proof of Pudding catering) was fantastic!!

El

My friend and I had a lovely experience here after the nightmarish cluster of unorganization that is the Dallas Arboretum itself. It's important to note that the property is owned by the Arboretum and you still have to pay the $20 parking and $25 per person admission even if you want to eat at the restaurant. Which sucks but HOWEVER!!!!! The restaurant itself is managed by Proof of Pudding catering company, NOT the arboretum. Everyone working there was incredibly knowledgeable and kind. We booked a tea to celebrate my dear friends engagement/bachelorette. The food and tea were exceptional, Olivia and Hugo were both incredible servers. The building was stunning, incredible atmosphere despite the dead, sad botanical gardens outside. Restaurant Degolyer does the best it can in a crappy situation, and truly shines through it. If you can deal with the hidden arboretum fees, I highly recommend this experience.

We had brunch, which was very good. Nice portions! Service was friendly but slow.

Update (3/25/22) same amazing staff and they now have gluten free bread! I wish they had more gluten free options though and I'd skip the "bliss chocolate cake" because it was literally just a store bought gluten free brownie; it looked embarrassing next to my partners dessert. Always have loved this place! I have been here several times, the staff are very friendly, the food is of great quality, and the decor is lovely. However, it is weird how they have a Sunday Brunch only menu that is unavailable for the rest of the week. This place is also only open for a small window of hours out of any given day, only for prime brunch into lunch time hours, but I do wish they would close at the same time as the rest of the garden. The items are also a tad pricey, and it's irritating to think about having to pay for parking plus park entry fees (which can easily add up to $30) just to set foot into this place.

+2

Great food, great atmosphere, exceptional service and attention. A nice little detour from the walking around the gardens. Only slights would be the prices are borderline b/w reasonable and pricey and automatic gratuity of 20% for parties of 6 or more. Perhaps for a party with lesser people I would give 5 stars 100%.

Food presentation was great! Taste was OK. Iced tea is flavored and not my favorite. They charge 3% "tax" for using a credit card. Food is pricey.

There was a 45 minute wait which we were okay with because the patio is really quaint and we were ready to sit for a bit. My friend got the Monterey chicken sandwich which she loved. I got the three sandwich (because I was feeling fancy) and they were just okay. They didn't feel fresh, the bread was a little stale. We shared a tres leche which was really good. Definitely recommend for the view and ambiance.

The atmosphere is amazing, service is splendid, but the food is not great. Tea is good tho. I guess if you are coming for the Arboretum then it's totally worth it. Cuz the afternoon tea is 62 dollars per person including tip parking and the arboretum ticket.

We went on a very windy day. After having the potted flowers blow over on our table thrice, we opted to remove them and put them in a larger planter. The soil that scattered all over the table would have made it undesirable, if not impossible, to eat. That brings me to the next point: the service. While someone took our initial drink order, an excessive amount of time elapsed before a waiter approached us. He seemed very stressed out and immediately apologized, saying that several tables were “just thrown upon him.” I am guessing that he had just came onto shift.? We also heard him apologizing to several other tables of people that were seated before us. Honestly, he seemed very overwhelmed. All in all, it did not take the food long to arrive after our order was placed, so that was awesome. He did refill my tea with the sweetened peach tea accidentally once. I was not a fan. Maybe we just caught them on an off day, and the high wind gusts were not conducive to the most leisurely lunch, but the atmosphere and views are very lovely.

Heather White

We went on a very windy day. After having the potted flowers blow over on our table thrice, we opted to remove them and put them in a larger planter. The soil that scattered all over the table would have made it undesirable, if not impossible, to eat. That brings me to the next point: the service. While someone took our initial drink order, an excessive amount of time elapsed before a waiter approached us. He seemed very stressed out and immediately apologized, saying that several tables were “just thrown upon him.” I am guessing that he had just came onto shift.? We also heard him apologizing to several other tables of people that were seated before us. Honestly, he seemed very overwhelmed. All in all, it did not take the food long to arrive after our order was placed, so that was awesome. He did refill my tea with the sweetened peach tea accidentally once. I was not a fan. Maybe we just caught them on an off day, and the high wind gusts were not conducive to the most leisurely lunch, but the atmosphere and views are very lovely.

Tutu Lin

The atmosphere is amazing, service is splendid, but the food is not great. Tea is good tho. I guess if you are coming for the Arboretum then it's totally worth it. Cuz the afternoon tea is 62 dollars per person including tip parking and the arboretum ticket.

The Degoyler is okay. The food isn't bad, but it's not super delicious. The drinks though are great, especially their tea. They also only have regular hot coffee. If you're looking for a lunch bite, I would go to the other restaurant by the entrance.

The atmosphere is great. Service is great. Food was ok. The afternoon tea was the basics but some items seem to be store bought. Didnt care for the cucumber sandwiches or Petit fours.

+6

First time doing Tea Time in the Gardens. Was very surprised at how amazing the Tea and the little bites were. Would like to try out this place again But not without a little bit of concerns here and there. For the minority this Tea time was very white. Believe me and my partner were the only minority. Even with that it was odd because our service was nice but with issues. Felt the service wasn’t as attentive as they were with other tables. We were the only table without a little flower arrangement. And when asking for things we were slightly gaslighted. I even asked if we could get our picture taken and no one ever helped us. But meanwhile the other tables had theirs taken without question. All n all. Good bites and tea. Needs a little more diversity and attentiveness to guests.

Dennis

First time doing Tea Time in the Gardens. Was very surprised at how amazing the Tea and the little bites were. Would like to try out this place again But not without a little bit of concerns here and there. For the minority this Tea time was very white. Believe me and my partner were the only minority. Even with that it was odd because our service was nice but with issues. Felt the service wasn’t as attentive as they were with other tables. We were the only table without a little flower arrangement. And when asking for things we were slightly gaslighted. I even asked if we could get our picture taken and no one ever helped us. But meanwhile the other tables had theirs taken without question. All n all. Good bites and tea. Needs a little more diversity and attentiveness to guests.

The bugs are absolutely insane while eating. Can’t go 15 seconds without having to swat a fly. No motorized fly swaggers for the table that most other outdoor patios have. Talked to Robert the GM and he didn’t care.

My mom and I had lunch at Degolyer house. The food was extremely disappointing. It was very bland and low quality. Campbell’s soup is better than the tomato basil soup. It didn’t even taste like tomatoes. I had the tea sandwiches and my mom had the Waldorf salad. The sandwich was mostly bread. I would not recommend eating here at all. Despite the food, the service and atmosphere were lovely.

Overpriced and poor atmosphere. I chose to eat here for my date knowing it would be expensive, but I thought the food and atmosphere would be worth it. IT’S NOT. I paid $106 for my partner and I, and the only thing we enjoyed was the $20 sandwich. Going back in time I would have only gotten that and saved myself $85. The food is good, but not for the price. Small portions and the prices were double or triple what they were worth. The deviled eggs weren’t bad, but were probably the worst I’ve ever had. I’m not sure what special about their “taco special”; $24 for three puny tacos? I’ve had better street tacos for $1 each. Wasn’t a fan of the basil drink they recommended with it. The only good thing was that the raspberry chipotle chicken sandwich. That was good! We sat outside and instead of being surrounded by the garden, there’s a giant stage with black grounding that completely ruins the atmosphere. Not to mention it was the Mexican festival, so lots of crying kids screaming around you. 0/10, would NOT recommend.

Food was great. Olivia was one of the servers, she was great amazing. However, one of the male server who brought in food items was not so great, i asked him if he could take a picture for us. He said he was busy and there were so many people in line. Okay, i was just asking for a quick 5 sec shot. Also, I have never heard any servers in restaurant say that before. It was definitely an experience that left a bad taste despite food being great.

arzoo dahal

Food was great. Olivia was one of the servers, she was great amazing. However, one of the male server who brought in food items was not so great, i asked him if he could take a picture for us. He said he was busy and there were so many people in line. Okay, i was just asking for a quick 5 sec shot. Also, I have never heard any servers in restaurant say that before. It was definitely an experience that left a bad taste despite food being great.

Savannah

Overpriced and poor atmosphere. I chose to eat here for my date knowing it would be expensive, but I thought the food and atmosphere would be worth it. IT’S NOT. I paid $106 for my partner and I, and the only thing we enjoyed was the $20 sandwich. Going back in time I would have only gotten that and saved myself $85. The food is good, but not for the price. Small portions and the prices were double or triple what they were worth. The deviled eggs weren’t bad, but were probably the worst I’ve ever had. I’m not sure what special about their “taco special”; $24 for three puny tacos? I’ve had better street tacos for $1 each. Wasn’t a fan of the basil drink they recommended with it. The only good thing was that the raspberry chipotle chicken sandwich. That was good! We sat outside and instead of being surrounded by the garden, there’s a giant stage with black grounding that completely ruins the atmosphere. Not to mention it was the Mexican festival, so lots of crying kids screaming around you. 0/10, would NOT recommend.

Visited around 12:30 PM on a Wednesday last week for lunch. While the food and service from the staff were solid, what really stood out was the behavior of the general manager—unfortunately, not in a good way. Throughout my visit, the GM was largely absent. When she did appear, she was constantly on her phone and disengaged from the team. Rather than offering support, she seemed more interested in scrolling than stepping in. I watched as she spoke to staff in a harsh, dismissive tone and snapped at a server simply for not reacting quickly enough to her presence. Even more unprofessional, I overheard her speaking negatively about another staff member—within earshot of customers. It was uncomfortable to witness and created a really tense atmosphere. The servers were working hard and doing their best, but they’re clearly operating under toxic leadership. It’s disappointing to see good employees trying to thrive in an environment like that. Management sets the tone, and right now, it’s not a good one. Would love to return, but not until something changes at the top.

The price of the food is extremely high for the quality and amount served. The food tastes average. And the portions are in the small side the price is expensive

This was the most disappointing experience I have ever had at a restaurant. I made this reservation over a month ahead prepaid. It was meant to be a nice holiday experience for our family and my mom, who visiting from out of town. The service was extremely slow, the servers were not attentive at all and whenever they poured the tea they were spilling in the tea saucer and on the table. Our tea experience started at 2pm and it took over 30 minutes before we were served the first course, which was a soup in expresso size cup. It was then another 30 minutes before the second course arrived, which was also disappointing in size and taste. At this point a manager came by to ask how everything was. I do give them full credit for doing their best at that point to make us happy. However, by that time the experience was ruined. I appreciate the managers stepping up and taking care of us, but this was not the experience we were looking forward to. We didn't leave hungry, they let us order food from their restaurant menu and they were very nice! Regardless, I would not have reserved this seated tea had I seen pictures of what was served. Also, if I knew that we will only be served tea and an espresso size soup for the first hour, I would have passed. I did ask the waiter for more soup and I did ask for the second course, however nothing else came until after the manager checked on us. My daughter is 10 years old, it was unacceptable that she had to wait that long.

I took my elderly parents and six month old infant to the arboretum. It gets very hot there and I was assured by the visitors center when we arrived that we could sit inside at this restaurant which was an important factor of us buying memberships in the first place because my baby and mother have underlying health issues and would need a place to escape the heat later in the day. It was 100 degrees outside with high humidity and my baby was getting overheated. The restaurant wouldn’t let us inside not because they didn’t have seating capacity but because they don’t allow children inside (the visitors center knew I had an infant with me). They told me they didn’t want the baby handling the fine china they use for tea. I told them I desperately needed to get my mother and baby in out of the heat and that my baby wouldn’t be using the china because she’s only a few months old and is in a carrier anyways. They still refused to let us inside. I asked if there was at least anywhere in the park we could just go that had AC so they could cool off for a few minutes because of their health condition but the hostess replied that the restaurant was the only place with air conditioning. We had walk a ways to get back to the car to turn on the AC. I later found out there is at least a gift shop with AC not too far from the restaurant we could’ve gone to. I can’t believe after spending an arm and a leg on memberships this is how we were treated. I can’t believe how awful, unsympathetic, and unhelpful people can be.