Ye Olde King’s Head
116 Santa Monica Boulevard • Santa Monica, California 90401
yeoldekingshead.com • 310-451-1402
One glance at the name of this establishment will tell you most everything that you need to know about its identity—unapologetically British and charmingly quaint. Ye Olde King’s Head, an institution in Santa Monica, California, is a multi-use pub, tearoom, gift shoppe, and bakery combined into one. Since 1974, patrons of this humble restaurant continue to return for “a taste of Britain on the West Coast” and a friendly face inquiring if they would like their “usual” today.
“The King’s Head,” as locals lovingly refer to it, began as a bar, and then a restaurant came along, and eventually, the tearoom was opened a decade ago by Scottish native, Christine Mcintosh. The pub’s classically British hearty fare of bangers and mash, fish and chips, and a traditional Sunday roast had to make room for dainty, tea-size bites to coexist in the same space. Christine was the right person for the job, as she had just completed 20 years of dedicated work at a nearby tea venue and was asked to join the staff at Ye Olde King’s Head specifically to create a tearoom. “Before I came to America, I didn’t do afternoon tea,” Christine proclaims. “There was a Scottish lady that I would do tea with here. We would go to the fancy hotels that were lovely and expensive, and we would have tea. The tearoom I have here, I want it to be affordable for people, cozy, and friendly—a bit more of a warm feeling.” After one short conversation with Christine, it is evident that the “warm feeling” she desired has been effortlessly achieved. Customers rave about the palpable hospitality and friendliness radiating from the tearoom manager with every kind word and “thank you, lovey” that is mustered.
Anglophiles will adore that afternoon tea at Ye Olde King’s Head remains quintessentially English regardless of its location. The Traditional Tea Service, for $30 per person, features a scone served with Devonshire cream, a medley of vegetarian and meat-filled tea sandwiches, a cocktail sausage roll, a quiche, a few pastries with petit fours, and a delightful Victoria sponge. The Royal Tea, available for $35 per person, includes the aforementioned items along with a glass of Champagne. The prices for both services might be slightly higher on special occasions. The tea choices offered at the tearoom are British favorites, of course, from well-known brands, like Twinings, Taylors of Harrogate, and Barry’s Tea, with English Breakfast and Earl Grey being the most popular. Green teas and herbal blends are also available.
Taking tea at The King’s Head at any given time is certain to be memorable, but especially when attending a specialty teatime for a holiday or celebratory occasion. For Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day, bridal showers, birthday parties, and more, Christine purposefully crafts the menus and décor to be impeccably suited for the event at hand. The attention to detail and level of care that go into planning for each occasion are easily recognizable, even at first glance. And if anyone thought—for only a second—that Ye Olde King’s Head would forgo commemorating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in June, then they would be sadly mistaken. In true British fashion, the California tearoom is planning a big celebration to honor Queen Elizabeth II’s historic reign with homemade scones and copious cups of tea.
Stepping into Ye Olde King’s Head, even for the very first time, is like walking into a familiar neighborhood diner where the waitress knows your name by the end of the meal and you’re already discussing when you can return for another delicious plate. It’s exactly like that analogy, only a bit more posh and a lot more British.
Ye Olde King’s Head’s afternoon-tea service is available Wednesday through Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.; reservations are recommended. The restaurant and pub are open Monday through Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
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