Alabama/Destination Tea Reviews

Destination Tea: Mimi’s Table & Garden Tea Room

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Where:  Sylacauga, Alabama
Style:  Vintage romance
Tea Selection: 11+ loose leaf teas
Teatimes: Thursday to Saturday, 10:30, 12:30 or 2; Private parties by reservation
Reservations:  Required
Contact: 256-404-8655
Cost: $35 Mimi’s Yellow Rose Tea; $25 The English Rose Garden Tea; $18 The Wildflower Garden Tea; $10 The Fairy Garden Children’s Tea
Destination Tea Tips: Yes, the teahouse is at the back of what looks like a private driveway, on a farm. In cooler months, you may enjoy sitting on the front porch or under the pergola. Mimi’s Table recently also introduced a brunch service, and changes its themed afternoon tea menus throughout the year.

Prices and teatimes are subject to change. Please see our Alabama Afternoon Tea Directory for the latest details.

Afternoon Tea at Mimi's Table & Garden Tea Room in Sylacauga, Alabama

Destination Tea Notes: As we walk the stone path towards Mimi’s Table & Garden Tea Room, there’s something about the lacy table umbrellas and teahouse tucked beneath the trees that brings a scene from Mary Poppins to mind (pictured below). It won’t be until the end of our visit that we learn owner Teresa Yager bought this century-old cottage in an auction and moved it from downtown Sylacauga to her property. Mary Poppins being set in the early 1900’s, perhaps there is something contemporaneous about the two scenes, and just as magical.

Tea friends, this afternoon tea is one for your destination tea lists. Teresa originally ran a catering and cakes business here, for about 15 years, and it shows in the quality and deliciousness of her menus. Named after her beloved grandmother Mimi, the teahouse is romantically decorated with florals and vintage linens and china. We were there during The Secret Garden theme, which inspired a whimsical display in the foyer, where homemade desserts and tea gifts are also for sale, and you can admire Teresa’s gorgeous wedding cake designs. Our lovely servers were Karen, and Teresa’s sister Lori, who also sews tea towels and coasters for sale. Definitely reserve well in advance, as the indoor tearoom seats about 12 guests. If we lived locally, we’d be returning to explore the changing themed menus and various afternoon tea settings in the cooler months (pergola and front porch pictured below). And yes, bring the fellas. Our teen reviewer had a great time here, approving of his iced Hibiscus Honey Tea and the hearty first course of Mimi’s Yellow Rose Tea. And he liked receiving a proper sendoff from the farm’s goats and turkeys.

Mary Poppins scene, 1964
Mary and Bert take tea (Mary Poppins, 1964)
Afternoon Tea at Mimi's Table & Garden Tea Room in Sylacauga, Alabama
Welcome to Mimi’s Table & Garden Tea Room
front porch at Afternoon Tea at Mimi's Table & Garden Tea Room in Sylacauga, Alabama
The porch’s feeders attract hummingbirds
Afternoon Tea at Mimi's Table & Garden Tea Room in Sylacauga, Alabama
The main dining room includes three tables and a powder room. And when you look out that window, you just might see a goat looking back.
Afternoon Tea at Mimi's Table & Garden Tea Room in Sylacauga, Alabama
Grandmother Mimi watches over the happy afternoon tea guests.
Afternoon Tea at Mimi's Table & Garden Tea Room in Sylacauga, Alabama
Taking in the vintage decor all around our table

Tea Selection

bottomless teas at Afternoon Tea at Mimi's Table & Garden Tea Room in Sylacauga, Alabama
Each guest is asked to complete their beverage card. We love that afternoon tea includes bottomless pots of tea! We each get to choose an iced drink plus two hot teas, and would appreciate descriptions for each, so that we know the tea variety and flavors.
iced hibiscus tea at Afternoon Tea at Mimi's Table & Garden Tea Room in Sylacauga, Alabama
The iced Hibiscus Honey Tea is a rich pomegranate color, and lightly sweetened.
hot tea at Afternoon Tea at Mimi's Table & Garden Tea Room in Sylacauga, Alabama
We love the touch of the personalized label. Even though guests may enjoy the custom of using individual tea strainers, we prefer teas are not left loose in the teapot so that they cannot oversteep.

Scones & Spreads, Savories and Sweets

afternoon tea menu at Afternoon Tea at Mimi's Table & Garden Tea Room in Sylacauga, Alabama
A variety of menus to suit the less to more hungry
quiche and soup at Afternoon Tea at Mimi's Table & Garden Tea Room in Sylacauga, Alabama
This quickly disappeared. Our teen reviewer commented that the Bacon Gruyere Quiche and Tomato Basil Bisque were very good (in teen speak, that’s nearing exuberance).
salad and quiche at Afternoon Tea at Mimi's Table & Garden Tea Room in Sylacauga, Alabama
I went with the garden salad, with strawberries, candied pecans and goat cheese.
three tiered tray at Afternoon Tea at Mimi's Table & Garden Tea Room in Sylacauga, Alabama
Afternoon tea is served, including three tea sandwiches, two scones and three desserts, all homemade.
tea sandwiches at Afternoon Tea at Mimi's Table & Garden Tea Room in Sylacauga, Alabama
Tasty finger sandwiches included Three-Herb English Cucumber (using fresh herbs from the garden), Pimento Cheese with Pickled Jalapenos and Chicken Salad with Dates & Pecans.
scones at Afternoon Tea at Mimi's Table & Garden Tea Room in Sylacauga, Alabama
The strawberry scone and peach scone had a nice crumb and made for a generous scone course.
scone spreads at Afternoon Tea at Mimi's Table & Garden Tea Room in Sylacauga, Alabama
So many choices to spread on our scones! All homemade: rose honey butter pats, strawberry jam, lemon curd and a mock clotted cream.
desserts at Afternoon Tea at Mimi's Table & Garden Tea Room in Sylacauga, Alabama
For the dessert course, we would be happy with bite-size desserts, such as a mini cupcake, and possibly then see a fourth dessert offered. However, no one was complaining as we sampled Teresa’s luscious confections: Lavendar Macaron with Pistachio Buttercream, Iced Vanilla Cookie with Rose Petals (from the garden), And Vanilla Cupcake with Raspberry Filling.
teacup etiquette 2019
Screenshot
teen reviewer at Afternoon Tea at Mimi's Table & Garden Tea Room in Sylacauga, Alabama

A very special comeback from our teacup etiquette guest host, who was long overdue for afternoon tea.

The Secret Garden Afternoon Tea at Mimi's Table & Garden Tea Room in Sylacauga, Alabama
The foyer displays the current menu theme and a sampling of Teresa’s cake designs.
baked goods at Afternoon Tea at Mimi's Table & Garden Tea Room in Sylacauga, Alabama
Customers are welcome to shop the bakery counter where homemade cupcakes, macarons and cookies abound.
tea coasters at Afternoon Tea at Mimi's Table & Garden Tea Room in Sylacauga, Alabama
Lori’s tea coasters and tea towels are darling.
pergola at Afternoon Tea at Mimi's Table & Garden Tea Room in Sylacauga, Alabama
A fabulous garden oasis awaits guests in cooler months.
farm animals at Afternoon Tea at Mimi's Table & Garden Tea Room in Sylacauga, Alabama
A farm animal farewell

Destination Tea’s Afternoon Tea Scorecard

Destination Tea's Afternoon Tea Rating for Afternoon Tea at Mimi's Table & Garden Tea Room in Sylacauga, Alabama

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DestinationTea
Tea Voyageuse, discovering the world of afternoon tea, based in Atlanta, Georgia.

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