In other parts of the world, tea is considered a customary social ritual. But in L.A., the idea of sitting down anywhere other than your cubical for more than a tick is as distant as Istanbul. For those of you who manage to wrangle your friends away from their MacBooks for a few hours, we’ve gathered a list of the city’s top spots for tea. So sit back, absorb some antioxidants and indulge in something steamy.
Navigating: tea time
Best spots to grab a cuppa
By Krista Simmons
Special to MetromixDecember 5, 2008
Chado Tea Room
8422 1/2 W. 3rd St. - Los Angeles323-655-2056
Chado revitalized tea drinking in the L.A. area, and it’s easy to see why. This afternoon tea room is all class, minus the pretension. There are more than 200 offerings of tea, including the tantalizing chocolate chai. Chado offers sandwiches, salads, soups and pastries.
Funnel Mill
930 Broadway - Santa Monica310-597-4395
A truly unique tea drinking experience, this shop presents an age-old ritual to a modern Santa Monica clientele. The Funnel Mill practices traditional Chinese cha tao (tea etiquette) when serving. There are more than 30 special blends available, including the renowned pu-erh, which is aged for more than 18 years. The tea menu lists harvest years and places of origin, giving a humanistic quality to the delicate leaves.
I Love Boba
339 E. 1st St. - Los Angeles213-620-0887
We love boba. Chasing those sweet little balls of tapioca around a cool cup of sweetened milk tea with an oversize straw is the beverage equivalent of a golden retriever chasing his tail. The vibrant neon decor and supersonic light fixtures at this Downtown hangout add to the playful ambiance. Make a day of your boba adventure and cruise around Little Tokyo afterward.
Rose Garden Tea Room
1151 Oxford Road - San Marino626-405-2100
East or West—take your pick. Both of these tea rooms at the Huntington Library offer stunning locations to enjoy a cuppa. If you’re craving oolong, head to the newly opened Liu Fang Yuan (“garden of flowing fragrance”), where you can take in the intricate latticework archways, pointed-roof pavilions and Chinese cherry blossoms. If you opt for traditional English tea at the Rose Garden Tea Room, you’ll overlook three acres of tended rose gardens. After you enjoy your scones, sandwiches and gourmet cheese, you can peruse the rest of the grounds.
Marrakesh
13003 Ventura Blvd. - Studio City818-788-6354
Sip on some Moroccan mint tea while watching seductive belly dancers shake their bon bons. Does the thought of a bon bon make you hungry? No worries—tea is served with baklava.
The Belvedere at the Peninsula Hotel
9882 S. Santa Monica Blvd. - Beverly Hills310-788-2306
If you’re looking for a truly relaxing afternoon experience, the Peninsula’s high tea, held in the Belvedere's Living Room, is your spot. A harpist strums classical tunes as guests enjoy scones, handmade preserves and sandwiches. The pear caramel tea would even make prim-and-proper Queen Elizabeth jump for joy.
Dr. Tea’s Tea Garden & Herbal Emporium
8612 Melrose Ave. - West Hollywood310-657-9300
Mark “Dr. Tea” Ukra has developed a cult following for his famous herbal tonics and remedies. The doc has been all over the media, from Access Hollywood and NBC Nightly News. He’ll help you craft a blend that’s tailored to your needs, and then you can kick back in the outdoor Zen garden.
The Spot
17200 Ventura Blvd #202 - Encino818-783-2233
What better way to end a big night out than with a warm cup of Persian tea? Though the line might wrap around the corner at 2 a.m., it’s well worth it. Take a seat on the carpet, grab a hookah if you like, and sip the rest of your night away. Tea comes with a honeyed pastry that tastes fab when dipped in the black tea. There are free refills, but watch out—the tea is caffeinated.
Ten Ren Tea
8612 Melrose Ave., - Melrose HeightsThis Taiwanese tea purveyor serves a wide variety of teas from the Far East, including white tea. This varietal is believed to have a greater concentration of antioxidants than green tea, and therefore could be the most beneficial to your health.
Urth Caffe
451 S. Hewitt St. - Los Angeles213-797-4534
This fair-trade and organic cafe in the Arts District is a must-hit on the tea circuit. The recently opened Downtown location is also used as their roasting facility. Urth ensures that all its organic teas are purchased directly from the producer, guaranteeing ethics as well as quality. Flavors such as lavender lemonade and the Amazing Grace breakfast blend are sure to tantalize the taste buds. Tasting and roasting courses are also available.
What other people are saying...
marinagal from Marina del Rey - December 16, 2008 at 12:06 PM
Ritz-Carlton, Marina del Rey offers a traditional afternoon English tea time in their lovely lobby area. Choose a seat by the fireplace, or in a c...
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