Jin Patisserie
By Carole Dixon
For dineLA.com
After a hectic day in LA, sometimes nothing can be more soothing than a relaxing cup of tea. Fortunately, there are many authentic tea houses from hidden gardens in Venice and art emporiums in Culver City to hip havens in Hollywood that offer ambiance, comfort and even health benefits that really hit the spot – just like a fine wine.
Family owned Chado Tea Room has three locations in West Hollywood, Pasadena and most recently downtown at the Japanese American National Museum. They also boast 350 teas on their list. The most popular and unique is the Mauritius. Grown near vanilla fields on the Indian Ocean Island off the coast of East Africa, the dusk grade, strong tea is augmented with vanilla oils and is exclusive to Chado. Another favorite is the Master’s Choice Ti Kuan Yin which is a finer oolong. According to owner Devan Shah, “The higher the elevation, the more aromatic the tea and the lighter it steeps.” This one is grown between 5,500-6,000 feet and extracted from a select bush in the Fujian province of China, and will set you back $20.00 per ounce. Coming down to earth, traditional afternoon tea is served daily at Chado or you can also order a variety of sandwiches and salads with a cuppa.
If you too drive too fast down Abbot Kinney in Venice, you might miss the wooden door leading to one of LA’s favorite hidden garden spots, Jin Patisserie. Owner-pastry chef Kristy Choo creates delicate cakes which are works of art, and offers over 30 teas imported from France and Italy. This spot is so relaxing you might stop in for quiche and a salad at lunch and stay for the afternoon tea with scones and macaroons ranging from caramel sea salt and violet cranberry to ome (Japanese sour plum) and Yuzu (citrus). Choo’s theory for the increasing popularity in LA of the afternoon tea boils down to diversity and health. “It’s something different from what people usually eat in LA at restaurants, and the concept intrigues them. Tea has always been proven more healthy than coffee – it has anti-oxidants and can help lower your cholesterol after a rich meal.” Green tea is very popular at this location, and so are more exotic flavors such as an African decaffeinated red tea with raspberry, which Kristy recommend served on ice with a pastry – or two.
If you’re feeling a bit under the weather, head down to Chinatown. Practicing acupuncture and herbal medicinal CHA Healing Arts and Teahouse could be just what the doctor ordered for improving your overall health and well-being. One of the resident herbalist and licensed Acupuncturist will either treat you with a potion on hand or create something specific for what ales you from a nagging back ache to a head cold. Their goal is to balance the body, mind and spirit with thousands of years old knowledge in Chinese medicine yet with a modernized holistic approach for the mainstream.
Zen Zoo Tea is a modern, urban café on Vine Street in Hollywood which became famous for its refreshing ‘bubble teas’ with ‘boba pearls’ made of tapioca. This style of tea originated in Taiwanese neighborhoods and is typically served cold and shaken up like a cocktail to create bubbles. The ‘black pearls’ are dropped in and then the drink is sweetened with syrup. At Zen you can choose from mango, passion fruit, strawberry, citrus, mint, blueberry and peach puree. The most requested concoction is the Green tea mint and creamer boba. The tea list is pretty simple as to not compete with the flavorful sweeteners.
Bee Bee Café on Sawtelle looks more like a hip Internet café, but they also serve the bubble and boba teas along with a variety of Panini sandwiches.
For a Japanese twist, Royal/T in Culver City takes the maid café phenomenon from Japan (complete with waitresses in maid uniforms) and translates it into a 10,000 square foot rotating art gallery warehouse style space, retail store and restaurant but also an uber cool tea café. The signature Royal/T Milk Tea is served hot and Royal Matcha green tea is preferred cold. In addition, you’ll have over 15 types of loose-leaf tea and blends to choose from including black tea with rose petals, pieces of fruit and vanilla brewed in soymilk. High tea includes mini quiches, macaroons, finger sandwiches, cupcakes, crispy spicy tuna, and Yuzu shrimp bruschetta. This is a great value for under $20, with plenty of food and tea to share among two or three people.
A little more low-key is teaforest near the Helms Bakery building on Washington Blvd. The space is minimalist but the tea list features the spectacular jasmine dragon pearls which open up when brewed almost like a herbaceous flower; and the Genmaicha – which is a green tea combined with roasted brown rice. Nicknamed ‘popcorn’ tea, be sure to listen for the snap, crackle, pop while it’s steeping. If you’re not watching your carbs, add a pastry, bagel or Panini pressed sandwich to your order.
New comer Bird Pick in Pasadena resembles a modern Chinese emporium complete with large glass jars filled with a variety of loose teas and herbs from Asia. “We are about the pure preparation and you won’t find any milk teas (like boba) or traditional English here,” says General Manager Miguel Padilla. Sit at the tea bar and order a ‘big red road’ with a floral flavor; white peony or a Dragon’s Well green tea. For the high roller, the Precious Rare White is $63 for four ounces. You won’t mind the price when you try the sweet pairings on offer from nearby Mignon Chocolate, including a green tea dark confection.
Just a block away, but a world of difference, is the Scarlet Tea Room and Fine Dining with a southern mansion drawing room feel. An impressive chandelier twinkles in the main entrance reflecting the red velvet accented décor and little gold Buddha statues. The tea is a proper five course extravaganza – but with a twist. Tea ‘happy hour’ begins at 4pm and wraps up at 10pm with live music, almond champagne and fine wines.
If you like your afternoon tea with a side of art and culture, visit The Rose Garden Tea Room at The Huntington in Pasadena for a traditional English high tea. Afterwards, you can stroll through the botanical gardens, gallery and peruse the Library’s rare book collection.
For the Anglophile, or those who prefer their high tea room draped in Chintz fabric and served on fine bone China with plenty of crocheted doilies and cozies, Paddington’s Tea Room on Robertson or Tudor House near the Promenade in Santa Monica should fill the bill this side of the pond.
Tea Rose Garden in Pasadena takes the theme a little further combining the love for two arts: taking tea and floral arranging with an onsite flower shop and garden to enjoy them both. Not to be confused with Rose Tea Cottage which has been around for 30 years, and currently housed in a historic early 19th Century building also located in Pasadena.
The Vintage Tea Leaf in Long Beach adheres to the philosophy that tea is not just a drink but ‘friendship and serenity in a cup’. Special parties and events including tea cooking classes, a Victorian Christmas and tea with Santa for up to 80 guests.
Bee Bee Café, 2012 Sawtelle Blvd, Los Angeles, 310.231.3522
Bird Pick Tea & Herbs, 10 S. De Lacey, Old Town Pasadena, 626.773.437210
CHA Healing Arts and Teahouse, 1035 N. Broadway, Los Angeles, 323.222.6000
Chado, 8422 1/2 West, 3rd Street, West Hollywood, 323.655.2056; 79 N. Raymond, Pasadena, 626.431.2832; Japanese American National Museum, 369 East First St, Los Angeles, 213.625.0414
Jin Patisserie, 1202 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, 310.399.8801; InterContinental Hotel, 2151 Avenue of the Stars, Century City, 310.789.6485
Paddington’s Tea Room, 355 S. Robertson Blvd, Beverly Hills, 310.652.0624
Rose Garden Tea Room, 1151 Oxford Rd, San Marino, 626.405.2100
Rose Tea Cottage, 801 S. Pasadena Ave, 626.793.3337
Royal/T, 8910 Washington Blvd, Culver City, 310.559.6300
Scarlet Tea Room, 18 W Green St, Pasadena, 626.577.0051
Teaforest, 8686 Washington Blvd, Culver City, 310.815.1723
Tea Rose Garden, 28 S Raymond Ave, Pasadena, 626.578.1144
Tudor House, 1403 2nd St, Santa Monica, 310.451.4107
Vintage Tea Leaf, 969 E. Broadway, Long Beach, 562.435.5589
Zen Zoo Tea, 1517 North Vine St, Hollywood, 323 962-9969
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