Jason F
User's reviews
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Aristeacrats
Since moving to North Georgia, I've been to Aristeacrats three times and have really enjoyed the energy of the owners, Jessica and Dwayne. It's a good place to buy leaf and sit and drink tea. I love that it's not an 'old lady' frilly doily-filled teashop with cucumber sandwiches. My only complaint is they don't offer gongfu style brewing, but it's not realistic to expect that yet, considering the clientele in the area. Teas: at last count, over 80 loose leaf teas and herbal teas, perhaps the majority of them blended/flavored, but with many unflavored teas as well. Origins are People's Republic of China, Republic of China (Taiwan/Formosa), Japan, India, Bolivia, Africa. Decent selection of oolongs, but no Wuyi yan cha (yet!). You can also buy a cup of one of several kinds of hot chocolate. Atmosphere: Modern, hipstery (put a bird on it!), French country design palate (pastel yellow walls, white wainscoting, with warm wood and black accents) Events: every first Friday of the month, I believe, they host tea tastings which pair teas and foods for $12/person as of this review. The photos I uploaded were of their most recent. Amenities: Free wifi, garden with seating out front when the weather is nice. Food: they sell small snacks, I believe, cookies and such. They also sell coffee beans as a fundraiser for a local charity.
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Tea Habitat
Tea Habitat is the kind of teashop I wish I could open myself. The decor combines modern western and traditional Chinese into comfort and functionality. The quality of the teas is top-notch; the selection satisfies the western and traditional palates with anything from high-grade oolongs to rooibos blends. The staff go above and beyond retail/food service: they've hired tea lovers or managed to convert them into tea lovers in a short time. They speak about tea and teaware with real enthusiasm. This tucked away spot is probably the best place in LA County to get excellent Chinese tea!
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Imperial Tea Court
ITC first introduced me to gongfu gaiwan and yixing tea service, and their shop remains the only location for convenient gongfu-for-gongfu's sake that I know of in California. The selection is on the light side--three to five varieties of any genre of tea--but the atmosphere impresses. I hear reports of bad service at ITC from others, but my experience was pleasant.