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Categories: Restaurants, Tea Rooms [Edit]
Neighborhood: CastroMon-Thu. 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Fri-Sat. 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Sun. 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.
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Entertaining a friend from London comes with high Tea expectations so we choose Samovar Tea Lounge
She opted for the English Service w/ the Shitake Quiche. Large portion...absolutely loved the quiche w/ its paired salad & fruit.
I also thought it was funny that she couldn't get over the fact her scone was triangle-shaped instead of English round.....oh the horror! But after 1 bite, all was forgotten b/c it was yummy
I chose the Squash Dumplings - not really dumplings but more like wontons. Thickish, greasy wontons w/ a dollop of squash filling They were just okay in my opinion & the portion was very small
My hit of the day however, was their Lavender Lemonade! Light, refreshing & lots of lavender flavor w/out being soapy.
English Breakfast Tea was steeped perfectly for my friend - props for meeting her high English expectations!
There were many, many teas to purchase as well but no "ingredients list" we could find & my friend likes to know what's in her teas before purchasing so we left empty handed but w/ full tummies.
Sure would like to go back for that lemonade!!
Samovar makes me feel like I'm in a movie set in 1920's Southeast Asia. In that movie, I am a well to do, cultured personality to whom the finest of teas and scones are served. The spicy decor, period music, and staff formality complete the setting. It is a day-dreamy, indulgent experience.
Then, when the tray of great things arrives, my thoughts come back to reality. The house chai (no non-fat requests allowed) and dried cherry scones hit the spot. The mint tea is also good - cleansing. And, the chocolate chip brioche bread pudding is something every patron should try (order early though as it requires ~15 min to be warmed to perfection). I also recommend the smoked salmon ceasar - rich parmesan, crispy croutons and artichoke hearts.
Only drawbacks are the prices, crowds, and lack of wifi. Try the $10 sandwhich + tea special (only off peak hours) if you want to sample this place on a budget. Go early to beat the lunch wave. And, if you sit near the window, you can pick up the free wifi signal from Urban Bread across the street.
this place is so full of cuteness! My friend Cynthia B. and I went here last night to have dinner (and I must say that this is really an inappropriate place to eat dinner, hence tea lounge) so we snacked on a load of other dishes. If I can even recall what I had last night, I think salmon quiche with cheese and crackers with the fruit and honey (omg so yums!) and squash dumplings, i had the fudge matcha brownie thing for dessert and she had a coconut pudding. We ordered Hika Sencha, which was supposed to have a slight fruity taste to it, but it just tasted like regular green tea. As in no flavors. But still it was quite good, nonetheless.
I got the fudge matcha brownie free because the waitress thought I was hot. Just kidding. I don't even know if she's gay. Anyway, it's because they ran out of green tea mousse.
I would definitely try this place once at least (like last night) to have a tea experience, and although the food was good and surprisingly filling, I would suggest eating elsewhere first before coming because they don't really have many options at all for a food menu. Also it's quite expensive, most items are at least $11-17, if you're willing to pay that. You'll be paying around $11-14 for tea. There's no alcohol here either. That's just to give you an introspective.
Yes, I officially love this place. I bought a Groupon (http://Groupon.com) for $10 for $30 worth of tea. It ended up being an overwhelming amount of tea for two people- but totally worth it! All of the teas we tried were incredible. It was really relaxing lounging on pillows and sipping tea, especially being that it was a chilly day. We also tried their squash dumplings with miso dipping sauce (AMAZINGLY GOOD), and their smoked salmon caesar salad (YUM). The waiters were really helpful and nice to us. Like I said, I love this place!
Came here after watching Diggnation. Parking was terrible but nice location otherwise.
I ordered the 4 Seasons Oolong Tea and the Curry Egg Salad Sandwich. I found a hair in my sandwich which was fucking disgusting. It was short and black and looked like a pube. I would've given them a one star rating had they not promptly replaced it.
Loverman ordered the Jasmine Lemonade and the Turkey Sandwich. The gruyere cheese and fresh whole wheat bread made up for the mediocre turkey.
Both beverages were just okay. I have much better tea at home and the prices were outrageous. I did love the way they presented them though.
Service was great. I read in someone's review that you can't get refills for the tea so I didn't bother asking but one of the waitresses asked me if I wanted more water so I'm assuming water refills are allowed. A lot of the seating looked really interesting. We were seated off to the side on an outdoor table while being indoors.
Oh and the chairs were gross. I first saw them all stained and figured it was okay since I know how hard it is to clean suede. Then I sat down and felt tons of crumbs and food remnants. Eek.
We would definitely come back for the food but will pass on the beverages.
I have heard of Samovar Tea Lounge as a franchise for the longest time. I have never been because I'd rather either go to a bar or drink my strong espresso straight up from North Beach or from my family's Italian kitchen.
I finally made it to Samovar a couple of weeks ago to meet a long lost kindred spirit - she evolved to be a tea person, and I desperately needed to connect back with her.
We were at Samovar Tea Lounge.
Quite an interesting venue - very Zen like ambiance with a dash of hipster (given that we were at 18th @ Sanchez).
I agree with the prior Naysayers, over $10 for a tea?
However, the conversation that ensued, was a continuation of a lifetime discussion of ... would you believe - HI-TECH? then life, then about ... tea.
It was the best Saturday night experience.
When I need a quick dose of Zen I head to Samovar.
During our Indian summer, it's beautiful to sit outside and order the Jasmine Lemonade.
The Turkey Sandwich is probably the best I have ever- probably because the bread is freshly baked, thick slices of turkey and you can tell the cheese is quality plus the plate comes with a salad and fruit slices.
This is the best tea house in my book. I love the Moorish tea service...the Halloumi kabobs are something to write home about. The setting is relaxing and comforting. My only complaint is that they allow people to hang out and sit on their computers....definitely takes away from the ambiance.
Tonight I went for dinner and tea. It was delicious. My favorite was the smoked salmon quiche. Great salad. Ambiance.
Prices definitely steeper than the tea.
The desserts were nothing special, and the moroccan tea service was overpriced and mediocre. Swervice was excellent, however. We ordered the moroccan tea service which came out on a pretty hammered-copper tray along with two traditional teapots. The server went into a shpeil about the origin of the copper service, and then poured the hot water from one teapot over mint and oolong leaves into the other teapot. after it steeped for a while we drank it out of small glasses. The whole thing came to about 50 bux with tip which was huge for just a small sampling of tea and a few bites of desserts. The desserts weren't too memorable, some cookies, dates w/creamy cheese and walnuts, and a mousse/cake which was quite bitter and not very palatable.
Seems like we paid for service, which was excellent but the mediocrity and small amount of food left me thinking that this place is a bit pretentious.
[Green Zebra Coupon: 10% orders $10 or more]
I came in here for a moment of relaxation between lunch Lark Creek Steak and dinner at Pancho Villa (one does these things when one's best friend is moving to Japan where they don't know what a burrito is and the only beef one can get is Kobe-style).
We'd been up since 7am devouring all of our favorite San Francisco foods and we're pretty tried at this point. I, for one, had a fever and uncomfortable shoes on: Samovar was the place to go.
We ordered "Earl Red" tea which, exactly as advertised, was awesome for the Earl Grey lover who's had too much caffeine already. Since we we're just stopped over on our way to dinner, eating a lot seemed like a bad idea but since I was about to die of the flu, we ordered Jook.
For those of you who don't know, Jook is a Chinese-style rice porridge, usually served with chicken, duck, pork or tofu. Samovar most definitely does not make authentic jook but their "new Asian" style rice porridge was pretty darn good -- they didn't skimp on the seaweed or ginger and gave us sliced, toasted garlic to put on top which added a great touch.
It was pretty pricey but I got a big pillow cushion to sit on so I was happy.
This is a sweet little corner of the city. The atmosphere is great and the tea and combinations of tea and food are carefuly chosen. It's sometmes a little pricy and I would have preferred a larger selection of food, but overhall nice little place.
I love this place!
I have been a few times now, and each time have had quite a lovely time. The staff is really friendly and helpful (even when we have more than likely overstayed our welcome), and the teas are fantastic. The snacky treats they serve tend to be quite delicious as well. Sure, the pricing is a tad on the high side, but for the level of service and ambiance, you really can't complain too much. Great spot for conversation and beverage consumption, studying, reading a book, or what have you.
And, I have to say, they have the nicest smelling and one of the cleanest bathrooms I have ever seen - you may laugh, but I have seen some nice places to eat/drink lose points in my book for having filthy restrooms. It's the little details that can make or break a place, and Samovar seems to hit all the little details just right.
What can I say that 374 people haven't already said?
I think this place is a great happy hour alternative; less sloppy libations, a tea list that would rival a great beer list, and a comfy casual setting to catch up on your latest mandrama.
The waitress spent almost 10 min describing different teas to me and I want to go back and try them all!
YUM...
If you like Blood Oranges as much as I do (my favorite fruit) and like pu-erh tea, then Samovar has a treat for you.
Ready? [drum roll please...]
Try their delicious Blood Orange Pu-Erh tea! [ok, did you see that coming? hahaha... if you didn't, then I'd be worried] The sweet (and a bit sexy) server brought it out and kept the hot water coming regularly. I talked and chatted for over 2 hours, but couldn't stop sipping my tea. As for the tea itself, it's very earthy with that fermentation thing going that all pu-erhs have. The smooth and awakening hint of the zingy/sweet blood oranges really accent this tea nicely.
Samovar--one day I will try that $50 cup of tea. It's more expensive than crack! Oh, maybe not, but it's still crazy expensive and they keep it in the vault.
Wednesday, my friend called me with one request for our late dinner: that it be something warm & something sweet.
Enter: Samovar Tea Lounge.
The atmosphere is conducive to good, long conversations. The music (an eclectic mix of modern, low key world music) is turned down enough so you don't have to shout. The comfy wooden bench by the window is cozy & intimate. This place really pays attention to "Indian inspired" details: from the menu on wooden boards to the decorative, cloth "chandeliers." It makes for a laid back and unforgettable experience.
The food was simple, not too heavy and delicious. My friend had the turkey, tomato & Gruyere sandwich and a pot of green gyokuro tea (there's the "something warm" he was craving.) The gyokuro tea was $18 for a pot (wowza!) and tasted very earthy. Our waiter steeped the needle shaped tea for five minutes before serving my friend a small cupful. I had the squash dumplings with a dipping sauce that was perfectly acidic, salty and sweet. The squash dumplings had a wonderful "won ton" wrapper and was sprinkled with onions. I will definitely be getting this again. I also had the rice pudding (yum-full of cinnamon) and a black tea-masala chai tea (and there's the "something sweet" my friend was craving. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.)
And, just to top off great atmosphere, awesome company & conversation, and food worth coming back for--service was impeccable. Our waiter was a very cool dude.
Our bill was $50 not including tip.
P.S. They don't have many carnivore offerings, which is never a problem for me, but may be a downside for any meat eaters. Oh, and they serve brunch "all day, every day." That's music to my ears. Oh, and the ceramic cups & tea pots are so very pretty.
EXIT: two very happy, still feelin' good & light, tea sippin' fans of Samovar.
Me &and my best friend checked out Samovar this weekend and loved our first tea lounge experience! The Castro location is small in size and got pretty busy fast! Loved the zen-like ambience with the yummy aroma of freshly cooked french toast. The variety of freshly brewed hot teas & iced teas rock! We tried a Hawaiiaan oolong tea that only they carry, Lychee Black tea & Iced Green Tea. The scones were baked fresh and served with a delicious cream & jam and their squash dumplings were tasty. Can't wait to visit their other locations and try more tea!
I dislike tea- I'm a coffee person and for years my friends have been trying to get me to drink tea, with no success.
But, I LOVE Samovar!
The atmosphere is calming and tranquil. The tea is delicious, and I was utterly surprised when I found myself saying that, since I don't enjoy tea often.
I even found myself asking my boyfriend if we could go back again because I really enjoyed the entire experience.
I had the cheese platter also, which was delicious and the perfect amount for one person or two people to share.
Ahhh I fell in love with this place as soon as I stepped in. The food is amazing, the decoration is beautiful, and the tea is just so comforting.
I just haaate the fact that I paid $20.00 for lunch &a pot of tea that isn't even refillable.
One of the coolest, most chic places to have tea in SF. I've had high tea at really classy places and Samovar is relaxing and comfortable. It's got a lot of windows and great service....comfy seating and delicious foods. Plan on spending roughly 25 a person which is kind of a drag but hey, you're in the city and paying for the vibe.
Stopped by here for a tea and good conversation. Perfect corner spot with a long bench along the window to people watch and sip tea. We had the Jasmine Pearl and the jasmine lemonade. Perfect. It was late so no goodies to nibble on. The service was prompt and not overly fussy. If you don't know what you want the wait staff is super knowledgeable and will give some good recommendations. Ootherwise sit back and enjoy good tea and good company.
I love is Samovar Tea Lounge, which helps take away the doldrums of the cold with a massive variety of fresh and unique teas and a loungy ambiance that brings the warmth. It's kind of hidden away, with nonchalant local stores nearby and houses to either side. However, when you enter, you feel as if you've entered a warm and comfortable desert lounge with large bench-like seating and pillows, and walls made out of bamboo and art...
Read more at:
http://www.sanfranceli...
Samovar makes me so very, very happy. It is such a peaceful place to hang out, relax and even get some work done! Since I am not a coffee drinker and my liver now refuses to obey me, I turn to Samovar whenever I want to have a nice long chat with friends in a conversation-friendly environment. Perfect for brunch (food is excellent), lazy afternoon tea or a way to wind down the evening.
I'm ready to patronize one in Burlingame! Come on, Samovar, venture outside the City!
add one on for the same great place with what seems like additional seating options that were missing from the time I went 2 years back.
We sat in the front corner window which allotted for a crapload of welcome sunshine onto my being. I'm not really seasonally depressed, but sun does seem to stir the serotonin levels a bit higher then normal.
One really can't go wrong with the chai either.
Josh, the dr. and I sat and chatted and sipped and loitered in the sun till our cups were empty vessels.
yay.
Give in to the power of the TEA!
I ventured in yesterday after wanting to drop by for so long.
After a…
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Sooooo.. Labor day Monday we're bored as usual and we decide to go for a stroll. Don't know hoe a nice walk in the Sunset led us to tea in the Castro, but it did. So, we ended up at Samovar, get a great spot (outside, especially nice for a warm day like this). We ordered tea (Bai Mudan was my favorite) and we got the Platter of tea sweets with green tea mousse that was awesome and the coconut rice pudding which was also great... BUT! 3 stars only because the service was horribly slow! Someone please tell me why it takes almost half an hour to br ing the check when there's hardly anyone in the restaurant? But yeah, aside from the service, everything else was great...
This place is quite nice. Has a great selection of tea. Great place to meet friends for a cup of tea or bring the parents too.
Can be a bit to too SF new wave hippie at times though, but overall it's worth it.
"Dear Friend,
Please come meet me at Samovar at the corner of 18th and Sanchez. We can have tea and catch up. Can't wait to see you.
Lychee black tea with honey and lemon, please...."
I always order the same thing and order from the same waitress. She's this young woman with hope that beams out of her like sunshine. She takes off every 6 months to go travel for a month and tells me about all her adventures around the world and her love for burning man.
The tea comes out on this rectangular wooden tray, black tea pot, slices of lemon, thumbnail of honey, and a tiny ceramic fired teacup with a notch in it for your fingers. The ritual of drinking tea is calming and soon the outer world of fast paced life just kinda fades away into this perfectly warm place....tea & honey.....
Perfect place to curl up and read a book, write in journal, get caught up on work, or catch up with friends. Please also tip well, because you have to support the waitress on her travels.
The tea was fantastic as was the service. The snacks were just as tasty - I ordered the English Breakfast (three teir dish)
This Samovar is one of my favorite places to spend a cold afternoon. I love how the tall windows fog over when it's cold and gray out. The long back table is a cozy place to sit and relax with a friend over some tea and nibbles. I particularly enjoy the Moorish Mint tea. I'm usually more of a black coffee kind of guy, but that little pot of tea consistently gives me a happy warm feeling.
I'm def into tea...and Samovar peeps know their tea. They are knowledgeable about types, brewing, infusion, etc. This was also the priciest tea bag at $10. I love my oolong...but not sure it was worth it.
I've been to both the one by the IMAX theater as well as the one here in the Castro. Both offer great food, service and quality. If you want a cute intimate neighborhood feel - go to the one in the Castro. If you want a city view with big windows then go downtown. Either way its a good idea.
Highly recommend the Tea Service.
English Tea Service is my favorite. You have a choice of Salmon or Mushroom quiche as well as fresh fruit and a scone with butter and jam. The tea compliments the meal perfectly and looks spiffy in their fancy pinky up tea cups.
If you prefer a darker/stronger tea, they have a tea service to match your taste.
Easily one of my favorite places to relax and spend a leisurely meal sitting in the sun and enjoying the city with your friends.
This place has made me a tea convert. I did go through a brief green tea phase and went off of coffee for about a year, but I have never considered myself to be a tea connoisseur. I went here for an afternoon with the girls, and it was perfect. I ordered the Monkey Picked Iron Goddess of Mercy. I swear that's the real name, and I'll admit that the name was the reason I ordered it was because of its crazy name. The tea was heavenly, with a nice floral taste. I did feel like I was asking for ketchup to put on my Kobe beef when I asked for sugar, but the waiter made it seem like no big deal. The little cookies, etc, were so cute and tasty!
Perfect place for a casual afternoon with friends!
The aroma of the teas are so intoxicating. It's very expensive for the teas, but you can tell they're expertly done. The waitstaff is always there to get you more hot water and the tea can steep several times before its flavor fades.
I was here for brunch on Sunday with my gay boyfriend and we had a great time. The outdoor area is great for people watching and you aren't forgotten being out there.
The food was really good, too, and very inventive. I think I was just hoping for a bit more flavor, but it was good nonetheless.
Pleasant atmosphere: check!
I've sat at the tables near the bar which are just fine, and next to the windows (a little cold), but always try to get the low tables with cushions up in the corner. Cozy!
Yummy food and tea: check!
Lots of great dishes for vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike. Their Japanese Maki Bowl with tofu is especially delicious, as is their Egg Bowl. Warm, perfectly flavored, and totally satisfying. As for the tea, I recommend their house bottomless cup of black tea. You'll have energy for days!
Friendly service: check!
I've always had friendly, efficient service here. Lots of cute waiters and pretty waitresses who are happy to answer any questions. :)
yesterday, whilst prancing about in SF blissfully excited to be home, I ran straight into a telephone pole and knocked myself out for several minutes.
I think I glimpsed heaven for a moment before I was revived..
..and whatdyou know, heaven looks and tastes exactly like Samovar tea lounge.
with a fog machine.
being vegetarian would be an absolute pleasure if I could eat here every day.
Ask your server for recommendations; it's the right thing to do.
I'm doing it! I'm giving Samovar 5 stars. I _am_ a huge tea drinker but 5 stars is still a lot. I really like Samovar's selection, I like that they have so many organic and free-trade options, and I like the atmosphere. I know others have said you pay for the atmosphere, but I would expect to pay $6-$10 a pot for really good, unique pot of tea. The staff was also quite attentive without being overbearing.
I went to Samovar last night to calm the sake buzz I got from halving a large sake bottle at Eiji. I ordered the earl red--the perfect combination of two of my favorite teas--and my friend ordered the jasmine pearl. We were really quite happy with our selections and I imagine we'll be going back very soon.
To be #333 is the only reason to do a review. I like numbers that can be divided by the first number in the string (3 x11 = 33)...makes me feel whole...speaking of feeling whole, man o man, how nice is it to carve out some real estate at Samovar and drink some of their awesome teas?
Seriously, I've spent many a study session here when I lived around the corner. It is also a great place to meet up with people to have a drink too..very social and open place.
The tea selection is very good and has something for everyone. The service staff knows their shit and will tell you how to brew your selection and the whys and hows. Good to know because I always leave in too long and suffer the consequences.
It is a little bit pricey...but let us compare. If I were at a cafe that served beer/wine...I'd probably get 2 for a little over an hour...that would equal min $8 to max $15...plus a tip. Little pot of tea (which essentially is hot water run through dirty leaves) it is about $6-8. Plus a tip. Expensive yes...but alternatives are actually pricier.
Great outside tables on a nice day. Tables are great inside on overcast days.
Cozy.
I went to dinner at Samovar last week and was really impressed by their tea menu and food options. My friend and I shared the Indian Tofu Curry Service (comes with a Chai tea) and it was awesome. The service was great-- very attentive and offered great suggestions. Their servers are, of course, very knowledgeable about their extensive tea menu. Feel free to pick their brains if you're overwhelmed by all of the options. My only criticism is that it is a little pricey for a small pot of tea-- around $10 and you can't refill it because they've already removed the leaves. Overall, a good casual place to grab a bite to eat. And naturally, if you're a tea person, you should give it a try.
My friend took me here and ordered me the "Ocean of Wisdom", which apparently is a blend of Rooibos and Honey Bush from South Africa with Ginger, Clove, Cinnamon, and Licorice from United States. It was deep and earthy, with a subtle cinnamon and sweetgrass sweetness that drapes the tongue. Complexly warm from the ginger and cloves.
Okay, now that I'm done cutting-and-pasting from the website... Um... it was nice tea. I'm not really a tea person. Too many options, I didn't even know where to start. If you're not a connoiseiur, this place will zoom by over your head, to say the least.
Service was VERY slow, it took almost half an hour to get... a pot of tea. And it wasn't busy.
A fun experience, in a way, perhaps too booshwah for me. But next time, just on principle, I'm ordering the "Monkey Picked Iron Goddess of Mercy"
For the longest time, I've had a peculiar obsession with tea. And not just tea, but teacups, teapots, tea sets, tea accessories, and all things tea. Go figure. I don't know where it came from, or how my obsession got started. The more exotic the tea, the better. The more unique the tea accessories, the better. The more funky-shaped the teapot, the better. When I travel to other countries, I even go out of my way to find teapots, and preferably full tea sets, to add to my unofficial teapot collection. I have a gorgeous soapstone dragon tea set from Lao; a hand painted coca tea set from Peru; and a shiny brass tea set from Turkey, just to name a few. My fascination with tea has even spread into other beverages such as coffee, pisco, and sake, with my Turkish coffee set from (yep, you guessed it) Turkey. I also have a pisco set from Peru, and a Japanese sake set from, well, uh, Chinatown. But whatever. At least I didn't have to travel far for that one!
As you can see, I'm clearly OCD about tea. So imagine me at a place like Samovar...like a kid in a candy store! Warm herbal elixirs to soothe my soul, balance my qi, and (hopefully) make me wiser. Yep, obsessions are expensive.
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