Sherman Library & Gardens has locked in Hazeltine’s as its next on-site restaurant, with hospitality led by Damian Orozco of San Juan Capistrano’s Tea House on Los Rios. While the property is under reconstruction, Hazeltine’s will test-drive its service with monthly afternoon tea events this summer, ahead of a full restaurant opening planned for late summer 2027. During the construction stretch, the library’s research wing is temporarily closed, although the outdoor gardens are still open for strolls and photo ops.
What Hazeltine’s Will Offer
Hazeltine’s is billing itself as a garden-forward restaurant, promising seasonal, purveyor-to-table dishes and a full bar that play off the surrounding landscape. The team describes the afternoon teas as a sneak peek at the full concept, with early details, dates, reservation links and sample menu items already outlined on the Hazeltine’s website as it builds toward the 2027 opening. The preview events are framed as celebratory garden gatherings and a low-pressure way for Sherman visitors to get a feel for the restaurant’s style of hospitality.
Afternoon Tea Previews and Tickets
Sherman Library & Gardens has listed Hazeltine’s Afternoon Tea dates as Sunday, June 14, July 19 and Aug. 16, with additional services set for Sept. 13 and Oct. 18, according to Sherman Library & Gardens. The spread features loose-leaf organic tea, strawberries and cream, seasonal tea sandwiches, petit fours and a freshly baked scone, with vegetarian and gluten-free options available by advance request. Tickets are advertised at $79 for adults and $49 for children, and guests can tack on Veuve Clicquot upgrades for an extra charge. Reservations must be made in advance, and non-members are required to pay Sherman’s regular daily admission.
Who’s Running The Kitchen
The new restaurant will be overseen by Damian Orozco, owner of the Tea House on Los Rios, a detail first reported by the Los Angeles Times. His family-run tearoom has a following for its seasonal high tea service and its restored 1911 cottage setting, as described on The Tea House on Los Rios website. Sherman officials have pointed to that track record in hospitality as a key reason Orozco was tapped for the project.
Why This Matters
The Hazeltine’s deal lands in the middle of Sherman’s "Grow The Gardens" capital campaign, a $17 million revitalization that includes a new bell-tower entrance, upgraded visitor amenities and the new restaurant space scheduled for late summer 2027, according to Sherman Library & Gardens. Garden leadership has pitched the overhaul as a once-in-a-generation refresh meant to expand programming and turn the grounds into a more active cultural hub for locals and out-of-town visitors. Those eyeing a seat at the tea previews can book through Sherman’s ticketing portal or Hazeltine’s reservation page, where seating is limited for the summer series.
