Tam
User's reviews
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Shaharazades Tea Room
I'm almost tempted to not add my review of Sharazade's because I feel that it's my own little sanctuary and I'd hate to see it become more crowded. But I love this place. It's my favorite of the tea shops I've visited in Md and WV. The loose tea assortment is wonderful, with some great robust selections. The food is consistently delicious (though I'll admit I stick to my favorites: Spanakopita and the excellent frittata). And the atmosphere is so warm and cozy, I'm always tempted to stay the whole day. Regarding the service: Sharazade's is a small shop with a very small staff and is *very* popular. I generally visit during off-hours and get wonderful service. The *only* time I've ever had slow service was on a day during peak hours when every table in the shop was full. And now my secret is out and I'll never be able to get my favorite table again...
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Teavolve Cafe & Lounge
With a more contemporary attitude and decor than most other tea rooms I've visited, Teavolve is a wonderful change of pace. The atmosphere, as mentioned, is very serene, much like the proprietress herself. She also makes wonderful recommendations if you're not sure which of the many pages of offerings to choose. My own recommendation is to get there close to opening time while it's still fairly quiet, because this shop seems to be becoming *very* popular. This popularity is well deserved, as both the teas and the food are delicious. (I've yet to visit Teavolve for any of their Friday night spoken word events, but those sound like fun!)
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Lost Dog Coffee
I love this place. It's a nice, *real* alternative to the false, forced cheer of Starbucks and other independent shops I've been to. This is a funky little coffee shop in a funky little college town, and it's always bustling. The owner once told me that his homemade chai is the best, and he's right. That and iced Mahgreb Mint are my Lost Dog favorites, but there's a huge selection of fair-trade loose leaf teas that I'm gradually working my way through. They also offer an assortment of pastries, but I've yet to try any of those.