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77 reviews for Satori Tea Company
Review Highlights
"And it converted me to a loose leaf tea enthusiast."
(in 7 reviews)
"I can't wait to get some more Ginger Coconut Green Tea."
(in 4 reviews)
"I had a pot of the Earl Grey Creme tea which surprised me."
(in 2 reviews)
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77 reviews in English
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Review from Celeste A.
San Francisco, CA
Updated - 2/9/2012 1 photo
Still as awesome as the first time I walked in, except with an increasingly better selection of both teas and retail items. I moved from Santa Clara to San Francisco and I still refuse to buy my teas anywhere else.
A combination of awesome atmosphere, customer service, and AMAZING tea. Go to Satori!1 Previous Review: Show all »
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10/4/2010
I love this place! There is a wonderful selection of teas, offered iced & hot. They are really… Read more »
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Review from Cindy K.
Pinkies up, ladies!! This is tea time after all.
We had an awesome Groupon - $60 tea for 4. Great deal! This deal actually sold over 1000. Wow, so I guess this place will be busy for quite some time. It was kind of hard getting in touch with someone to make reservations. They hold odd working hours. Only open certain days. Check their website for details. You can just call them and leave a message. Someone will get back to you. Also, since the Groupon thing, they've been rather busy. Make reservations at least a 2 days in advance.
This tea place is located in downtown SJ in the parking lot next to the Spaghetti Factory. It was a little hard to find at first since it wasn't located facing the street. We arrived a little early for tea, but that was no problem. They prepared our table while we took a look at their wall of tea. I loved that they had their tea set out with samples so you can smell the bouquet. Although, be warned that just be a tea may smell strong doesn't mean it tastes strong!
We each got to order our own pot of tea. I had the marzipan tea which was delicious. The crumpets are made fresh with tons of butter. Nomnomnom! Their lemon curd is the really good. Not a big fan of scones so I can't give an opinion about them. The tea sandwiches were alright. Not of much substance though. The chicken salad had more mayo than chicken. I rather did not like how they prepared the sandwiches. They put more middle on the top, which made it messy to pick one up. Tongs please? The dessert was my favorite! Their rose flavored macaron was delightful. -
Review from Esther S.
1/30/2012
Came here yesterday on a nice Sunday afternoon. Free parking across the street in the parking structure (not sure if this is every day though). The entrance is not facing the main road but rather the parking lot next to the Old Spaghetti Factory. They have a big sign with "Satori" on it too.
Upon entering, we both really liked it immediately. There were tons of beautiful and cute things to look at decorating the whole place. I love how each set up was different- the chairs/sofa/tables were all very unique and the whole place was cozy and upscale but not pretentious. They also have a big sky light that let in natural lighting and the whole place was high ceiling so you get a very open air and relaxing feel.
I had bought the Groupon deal for 2 so we each picked out our teas from a long list. We were also welcomed to smell a variety of teas they had along the wall which helped us choose what we wanted.
The tea pots were all very unique and the food came out in the 3 tiered tray. Both of us loved alll the food but ended up sharing some of them to get a taste since there was a lot of food. They let you take leftovers home.
Overall this was a great experience! The tea is unlimited and we both liked our teas very much. Staff is very helpful and attentive and the whole feel of the place just lets you relax, sit back, and enjoy! -
Review from Shannon W.
San Jose, CA
1/24/2012
Thanks to Groupon, I got to try the Afternoon Tea Experience for two. The regular price is around $60, but with the Groupon it was half off + 18% gratuity (additional $15)..
I really enjoyed the whole experience. The set up was quaint but cute and girly, exactly what you would expect of a tea place. They reserve tables for a few hours because most customers enjoy their tea and their time. So while it may seem empty inside with reserved seating and few customers, Satori does it so that they don't have to kick any customers out in order to seat new ones.
I never tried a Rooibos before but I decided to be gutsy and ended up not really liking it... The Honeybush Strawberry Rooibos tasted a bit like medicine to me. But my SO got the White Peach tea, which was amazing! I'm also a huge tea fanatic and I got so excited that their tea selection is MASSIVE, but it was really hard to choose just one.
The food provided was more than my SO and I could finish; we also struggled to finish 1 pot of tea each (it's unlimited). I think my favorite two things were the scone with lemon curd and the crumpet! Because we were so full and had more errands to run, we didn't stick around to relax much but we did have a great time.
Although, I'm not sure if I would come back here for a full-priced experience as it is a little bit out of my normal price range... -
Review from Irina s.
San Jose, CA
Came here with a friend to use my groupon over the weekend.After reading reviews (and per the groupon), I made a reservation. I called about 2 weeks in advance and it sounded like they were pretty close to being booked up but I got the date and time that I requested.
My friend and I are very much fans of tea (kinda of a given with a Russian and a Persian) so we were very excited for this place and I am happy to report we were not disappointed!
The decor was really cute and girly. The place is pretty small so I can understand the intense need for a reservation. Once you get used to being a little cramped, it works just fine.
I am in LOVE with their tea. We each got a pot of tea. I picked Dragon Eyes....really really really recommend it. A black tea that tastes like lychee, no need to even add sugar!! My friend had a pineapple/coconut one. The snacks included: scones with clotted cream/jam, an assortment of cookies, and sandwiches (tuna, potato salad, cucumber). Mostly everything was really really delicious (just not a fan of tuna or peppermint)! I do wish there was more savory vs sweet because it was a little too much.
Then we get the bill...tax and gratuity not included in the groupon. So I see tax and the EIGHTEEN percent gratuity. Wait...what? For two people? That would really be the only thing that was off; otherwise a wonderful experience. Glad there was a groupon because I don't think I would fork over $60 for tea for two. -
Review from Emily Y.
San Jose, CA
I ADORED this little place. Hip artwork with lacy table cloths - one of the cutest-ever tea drinking ambiances. :) The service was lovely and the tea divine. I will be going back. Again. & again. & again.
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Review from Leticia H.
San Jose, CA
1/12/2012
I went here with a friend who invited me after she purchased a discount tea service. It was a first for the both of us so I don't have anything else to compare to as far as tea places go, but I can say we really enjoyed ourselves and the staff were very friendly.
I am vegetarian and lactose intolerant so when I mentioned that to the server, she managed to provide me with soy milk and veggie sandwiches without dairy. We were checked on just the right amount. The place was very clean and had alot of character.
The only thing I wish they would have done is explained the whole "tea time" process a bit. They have a really long list of teas available so a little info would have been cool.
I would like to go back and recommend this place for a nice place to hang out and enjoy a conversation with a friend or two. -
Review from lucy l.
San Francisco, CA
1/15/2012 3 photos
For a mega tea lover and an even bigger fan of all that's shabby chic and Victorian, this is a must for any who appreciate the ambiance of a tea garden, your own private tea party for 2 or a bigger party on a long rustic table with romantic billowy Victorian/French dressings. The owner has been updating the furnishings since some of the earlier photos. Also looks like the artwork changes too.
I was ga-ga over all the creative dressings, linens and vignettes. Felt like I was on the set of a magazine cover, or 6 of them. I had the raspberry royal tea and my bf had the peppermint patty (an herbal chocolate mint :-) and when we mixed the two, voila, we had raspberry chocolate mint. We must have had a pot and a half each with the full monty of finger sandwiches, sweets, scones and dessert krumpets with Grand Marnier. At first blush, we both thought to ourselves that we might be hungry when we leave, but after rushing thru the sandwiches, we slowed our pace and were pleasantly surprised that the amount of food was just right for our starving tummies.
You need to reserve in advance if you'd like the full afternoon tea. I'd suggest going during the week so you can sip your endless pot of tea and totally relax and bask in heaven.
This place is beyond quaint; the decor is shabby chic heaven and the tea is devine ! Oh, they even have a kiddie tea option (with pb&j finger sandwiches if I recall). -
Review from Judi O.
San Jose, CA
12/20/2011
Wonderful little place. Relaxing, nicely appointed, relaxing, and amazing selection of tea. I have two complaints:
Not enough protein being served-lots of cookies, scones, biscuits, etc.
They charge you 18% gratuity and tax on top of your groupon!!!! So be prepared to pay about 15-20 $$$ more once you have your afternoon tea.
But otherwise, very nice. I would never purchase w/o a groupon...too expensive. -
Review from Anna M.
Cupertino, CA
1/9/2012
After buying a Groupon and reading the reviews on Yelp, this place managed to phenomenally exceed my expectations. I'm dividing this review up, even, just for ishts, because I already know it's going to be long.
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Customer service and communication:
I called in the morning to make a same-day reservation, and was told that they were booked full.
I asked if there was any chance we could drop in, mentioning the Yelp review I'd read from a customer who had shown up without a reservation, but noticed the entire place was empty [that customer was still seated, but consequently described the experience as negative and weird].
The woman on the phone explained politely that the reason that happens is because, when they get a reservation, they save the table for about three hours--since people frequently will just stick around for hours and hours and they don't want to end up in the uncomfortable position of having to kick someone out when they've paid for a relaxed afternoon tea experience.
She also mentioned that they've been booked two weeks out, since well over 1,000 people bought Groupons [and the place isn't large].
I mentioned that it was my sister's birthday and I was only in town for a short time, and that we wouldn't be able to stay longer than one and a half hours anyway, due to an appointment, so they wouldn't have to worry about us loitering into someone else's reservation--and asked if I could leave my number with them along with the time we'd like to come in, so they could call in case they had any cancellations or no-shows, or if someone left early.
Sure enough, they called within the hour, with an opening for the time we wanted, as one of their reservations had shown up and left really early.
So we got lucky--but call in advance to make an appointment [and note that if you have any dietary restrictions--vegan or gluten free, for instance--if you call ahead of time, they can cater to your needs.]
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The Experience/Value:
Aesthetically, the place is a hybrid of old-fashioned frilliness and sparse modernness, which I liked.
We were served reasonably quickly as soon as we selected our teas, and the food was more than enough to stuff both of us; we couldn't even finish when we tried [granted, we seem to have smaller appetites than a lot of people--but we're on the tall-ish side and lead active outdoor lifestyles, so we don't eat like rabbits, either]. It was all good, though the sweets were far superior in quality to the savories. We each got a flavored black tea: I got the marzipan and she got the earl grey creme. We both thought the earl grey creme tasted better--but the marzipan smelled better and went well with the food, as a milder tea.
The staff were very pleasant and attentive, but left us alone enough so that we could talk comfortably for the next couple hours.
For the Groupon price, I felt like we got a really good deal for the entire experience [$29 + $15 tip, instead of $59 + $15 tip]. While I think their regular price is reasonable, I wouldn't have the budget to come in much [if at all] for English Afternoon Tea--however, they have more inexpensive options available, and it seems that ANY good tea place you find in this area is probably going to be even more expensive.
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The Tea:
I used to work at Teavana, and despite disliking the company [but that's for another review...], have been shopping there for some of my favorite tea blends. Many of the flavored tea blends Satori carries are the same [Teavana employees will sometimes tell their customers their tea comes "directly" from them and can't be found elsewhere by consumers--that is NOT true; I've found some of their tea suppliers who ship in small quantities online for individual consumers] but, possibly because Satori is a smaller/newer establishment, the tea blends Satori carried were significantly fresher [and probably cleaner--but I won't go on a Teavana tirade right now].
Not only that, but they provide tins free of charge--they don't upsell the crap out of you like Teavana does to spend $6 on a tin worth $0.60 that you really, really don't even need [at Satori they don't upsell you at all; they're just excited about tea and it shows]. And, of course, they have a good number of teas and infusions that Teavana doesn't--like Guayusa, which I'd never heard of before.
I think I've just found a new primary tea retailer. -
Review from LSC F.
Sunnyvale, CA
1/15/2012 1 photo
Just back from my first visit to this tea room, and I have mixed feelings about this place:
The good:
- service was friendly and we didn't feel rushed at all
- the scones and warm crumpets were really yummy
- decor was modern, yet feminine (but not too girly)
- food presentation was nice (except for the wilted leaves under the sandwiches)
The so so:
- sandwiches were fresh, but I didn't care for the tuna fish
- many of the desserts were peppermint flavored, not enough variety. A little too sweet for my taste as well.
- location is not the easiest to find unless you read the helpful hints on their website
The bad:
- Worst tea I've had in a long time. I ordered the black currant and it tasted moldy.
- scary baby decor on the halls take away the relaxed atmosphere
I didn't have high expectations for this place before I went, so for the most part, it exceeded my expectations. I'd maybe go back again, especially for the crumpets, but would be very careful in my tea selection. -
Review from Gabriela G.
San Jose, CA
11/2/2011 4 photos
Slightly overpriced for what you get. $22 per person not including tax or tip. You get one scone, 1/4 of an egg salad sandwich, one chili filled empanada and 1/4 of a cucumber and cream cheese filling sandwich oh and a small cheese quiche. The tea was pretty good and they did have a large selection. However, it quickly went cold and fresh tea wasn't offered until we were about to leave.
We were there for a birthday so it was a bit disappointing that they didn't do anything special for the birthday girl (hint: a cookie or petite cupcake for her would have been nice).
I prefer Lisa's Tea Treasures in Santana Row. For that price you get dessert and a wider menu selection. Plus the decor is adorable! -
Review from Sonia P.
San Jose, CA
12/14/2011 1 photo
Victoria and her staff are awesome! They cater to all my needs at my Breakfast at Tiffany Tea party for 20
Cornish Cream Tea
$13.95 per person
Heritage English
Scones (2)
Clotted cream,
Preserves, Fresh
Lemon Curd
Endless pot of tea and its delicioussssss! :)
The place is cute and lovely. I fell in love with it, right when I step in.
Thank you so much with the amazing set up at my birthday. Everyone was impress and please. Once again, Thank you and your staff for making it magical.
JUST FABULOUS! -
Review from Elaine Y.
Cupertino, CA
10/12/2011
Thank you yelpers! We did a mother/daughter tea party this past Sunday and picked Satori Tea based on the Yelp reviews and whole heartedly agree! Satori Tea was fun and amazing. We had a Sunday tea party for 9 and it's definitely important to make reservations and pre-order your menu - HIGHLY recommend the English Afternoon - While it's the pricier menu it overs the savory and sweet and is worth EVERY penny. They have an excellent pastry chef that makes everything fresh and they have macarons! I LOVE macaroons!! But I have to say - their apple crumble was the best ever, right up there with the macaroons! And I loved lathering up the scone with that delicious home made butter with lemon curd or strawbery jam.. actually the strawberry jam was a mix of something - all I know is I couldn't stop eating it!
Their homemade pastries, jams, butter, breads... homemade everything is pure heaven! My daughter now wants the cream cheese/cucumber sandwiches and I can't do it justice as Satori! I love the fact that they have the teas in jars - out for you to smell and pick. The list is extensive and so hard to choose - so I guess I'll have to keep going back. What's nice about going with a group and everyone having their endless teapot is we got to all try each others so that made the experience even more fun!
I noticed the comments about how "girly" it was and I have to say - I disagree. Girly is the places I've gone to with flowery chairs and tons of overstuffed pillows... and very tight seating. I think Satori hits the right balance!! And Victoria and her mom are just awesome! Always checking in on us and making sure we have hot full tea pots! I drank two pots!! The pinapple mango was delicious - and the all the ones my friends and kids had were great! The ginger peach - perfect, white peach, jasmine pearls, oh and the honey strawberry - so glad someone at the table had that one...
Also found out that Victoria mixes things up depending on the season - guess I'll just have to keep going back to check out the seasonal offerings!! A definite MUST to attend - OH and btw - for first timers - I ddin't realize their front door is not on San Pedro but in the parking lot after the Market and before Old Spaghetti Factory... but they have a huge awning so won't be hard to find! -
Review from Victoria G.
San Jose, CA
12/12/2011
This place is super fun and super cute. I went here with my girlfriends. We dressed up and had tea with the little cute sandwiches accompaniment. We met the owner who was patience and showed us the wall of tea where we could see/smell the different types of tea there was. For $13.95, you get one pot of tea plus one sconce. For $29.95, you get a unlimited pot of tea and an assortment of sandwiches (cucumber, tuna, etc). All in all a very fun experience.. I would definitely come back.
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Review from hadley y.
San Jose, CA
1/27/2012
Nice selection of tea in a quaint little tea house. Sandwiches taste ok, but the sweets are not impressive. I bought the groupon " tea party for four" for about $60, but still had to pay tax and gratitude of $31. Overall, I don't think it justified the price....will I come back....probably not....
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Review from Shaf K.
San Jose, CA
12/13/2011
I've had tea here twice with friends and each time it was a wonderful experience! It reminds me a bit of Crown and Crumpet in SF but is slightly more affordable and accessible. I really like the decor and ambience. Nice to know that I won't have to trek to SF when I'm in the mood for afternoon tea at a non-frilly establishment. Not that I dislike the frills, but I prefer a more modern style. I also like that you can drop in for a cup of tea and that there are no appointments required for tea. The staff is kind and attentive as well.
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Review from Stephanie A.
Milpitas, CA
Updated - 12/28/2011
My friends and I think this place is lovely and adorable. It's no wonder why.
1 Previous Review:
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12/19/2011
My friends and I think this place is lovely and adorable. Everyone loves it, and its no wonder why.
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Review from Kayoko I.
San Jose, CA
11/13/2011
Experience over there was a bit strange. Their web site did not state that they operate by reservation ONLY.
When I got there Sunday before 11:30am, only one customer was there. It's a very small place with only 6 - 7 tables total. Victoria told me that they operate by RESERVATION ONLY but since it was only two of us, she could squeeze us in if we sit at a tiny table at a corner. I thought it's okay and my friend agreed later. The table was as tiny as only two tea pots and plates completely filled the surface. Since we ordered the afternoon tea sets, they needed to bring another tiny table in front of us.
The strangest part was that the place was not filled while we were there all the time but still Victoria didn't let us sit at a decent size table. After one person left and before my friend showed up, she didn't offer me to move that empty table. For all the time we were there, only another party of four that occupy one table was there. I felt like we were punished because we did not make a reservation. Although the tea and food was good, I probably would not go back there because of this strange experience and try somewhere else which has bigger menu of afternoon tea set. -
Review from Mei-Lin P.
Mountain View, CA
9/27/2011
As an Asian, I grew up drinking tea: ice-cold and sweetened at buffets, plain and hot with Asian food, mixed with lemon and honey as a cold remedy. I recently rediscovered high tea after my sister hosted my bridal shower at a resort offering afternoon tea service.
So far, Satori is my favorite tea house. It has been open for about 3 years, and I anticipate this place will be around for a long time. The people who run it are Welsh, and they understand what entails a proper tea. The first time I went with a friend and we ordered the "half-tea" experience, which is tea with sandwiches. The sandwiches are made from scratch using homemade bread, as are the pasties. If you want the pastries, make a reservation in the afternoon for the "full-tea" experience, as there is no pastry chef on site.
The portions are generous. The second time I went with two friends, we could barely finish the food. Some places charge you an arm and a leg and give you one bite of five items. Not so for this place.
There is an entire wall of loose teas from which you can make your election. The owners are very helpful in helping you choose if you need help. Each person is served unlimited tea in their own pot along with lemon curd, preserves (both homemade) and clotted cream. Not whipped cream, but proper clotted cream, which is simply whole cream milk indirectly heated over water or a steam bath then allowed to cool in shallow pans (thanks Wikipedia!).
Their website is great for learning about tea, including a handy-dandy visual tutorial showing how you can use gauge the temperature of the water by simply looking at the size of the bubbles. This is really helpful if you like to drink more delicate teas such as green and white varieties, as these need to be steeped at a lower temperature.
This is a great place to dress up and be a girly-girl with your friends. Highly recommended. -
Review from Ali P.
San Jose, CA
9/26/2011
My husband and I stopped in before this place had officially opened, and it's been wonderful to see it grow. Victoria and her mother are really nice people, and Victoria's ability to blend tea is amazing.
I recently stocked up on some teas for the winter, and I'm constantly amazed by how fantastic fresh tea can be. It's a far cry from those nasty bags you get in the store.
Their tea service (sandwiches, scones, pastries) is also amazing - one of the best I've ever had (and I've had a lot of tea services). Be sure to call ahead to make sure there is availability.
And be sure to stop in for some tea! -
Review from Carlo F.
San Jose, CA
7/7/2011
At $3 a cup for vastly superior tea, a variety of choices, pleasant decor (ecclectic art, fresh cut flowers and pastel color walls) and atmosphere, you can't go wrong at Satori. They were really helpful in helping my companion and I pick out the perfect teas and snacks. The light and friendly conversation with the staff adds more to the experience.
I ended up having a iced cranberry hibiscus tea with perfect sweetness, my friend got a iced mint green tea. Together we had their homemade scones ($1.75 each) which originates from a family recipe from Wales, England.
Having such a decorative and quiet place to enjoy tea and conversation really makes me rethink the joy of tea time compared to the usual hustle and bustle of a popular coffee shop.
My friend and I will most defiantly go again. -
Review from Kathy N.
San Jose, CA
5/24/2011
It was time to do a bit of exploring during lunch. Yelped a bit for some milk tea to come across Satori Tea - it is quite the gem.
I stopped by a few minutes before they opened at 12:00pm on Tuesday (today). Not opened, but Victoria came right at 12 to open up and invite me in. Victoria owns this quaint little place with her mother.
Upon entering, you'll find small tea pots, timers, filters, a whole wall of her Satori brand and all kinds of tea related and miscellaneous items. Decor is nice and atmosphere is pleasant. I decided to sit at the counter to get more personal attention and to be able to talk to her. She's quite informative and sweet.
Their hours are a bit different and not standard business hours, so make sure to check before you head there.
So many teas to choose from, but I ended up with the Aislaby Ceylon - great with milk and sugar. Although I think I'm on a caffeine high at the moment, but I loved it.
I ordered a whole pot and was given a choice of sweet or savory treats. Sweet it is - she proceeded to bring out a crumpet and two scones for me to devour with some jam and butter. The crumpet was topped with Grand Marnier butter - May I have an extra piece please ?? - of course, I didn't ask - but that's what I was thinking. The scones are just perfect. I've had scones before, sometimes too dense, sometimes too hard and not moist - but these were fantastic. It was a must-have according to Victoria. I'm glad I tried it.
Although her pastry chef was out of town on an emergency, there were still treats to be had. I've only tried a few, but I can't wait for more when she's back.
She will also let you sample any of the tea if you were interested. I actually love teas with hints of rice - reminiscent of the teas from sushi restaurants - the good kind =P. So she brewed up a sample of the Genmaicha and it was perfect.
All together it came out to $16.33 - a bit much, but you're paying for the experience and I did get a whole pot of tea. If I had more time, I would be enjoying a book on one of her seating arrangements on the open floor with my tea with milk and sugar in hand. =)
I'll come again and I'll make sure to bring others.
Also, you're able to order to go if you don't have the time to sit and enjoy. $2.75 for a cup and she takes cash or credit cards.
There are a few things I would improve on, but I can talk to Victoria about that the next time! =) -
Review from Celeste B.
San Jose, CA
10/13/2011
oh. em. geeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
the most quality tea I've had to date is Starbucks blendeds. This place makes me say Starbucks who? I had the vanilla tea, iced. The flavor was so concentrated and delicious. Totally worth $4 for just a medium sized drink.
I love all the ambiance here too. I need to bring my Kindle to work and come hang out here during my lunch hour. So relaxing.... -
Review from Jessica B.
Sunnyvale, CA
4/26/2011
**BEST... green tea**
The Coconut Green and Coconut Ginger Snap are incredible!
I was so sad when Satori disappeared from the Sunnyvale Farmer's Market so imagine my surprise when I reunited with them at the Campbell market and learned that they have a retail store in downtown San Jose! These are the best teas I have had. They have clever flavor pairings and all the best gadgets for brewing and serving. I purchased a cup with its own built in loose leaf strainer so I can carry it on the go with me and have yummy tea wherever I am. (Starbucks is kind enough to give me hot water if I buy a little snack, FYI!) And another note for loose leaf tea drinkers.... Bodum has an awesome individual serving coffee press/travel cup which doubles as an excellent loose leaf tea brewer! -
Review from Lydia V.
San Jose, CA
9/23/2011
Delicious teas and macaroons. I thought the prices were a bit steep (pun intended), but if I needed a drink while in the area, I'd definitely be back.
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Review from katherine h.
San Jose, CA
4/30/2011 1 photo
Cutest little gem I've seen!
My boyfriend and I came here for some afternoon tea and we had a wonderful experience. After both studying abroad in London where "going out for afternoon tea" is similar to the States' "going out for a cup of coffee," I've been trying to find a tea house that had the same atmosphere as those I've experience in London. This place hits the spot.
We called in ahead of time to ask if we had to make reservations, nope we don't! Whoever picked up was also kind enough to let us know that they would not be serving sandwiches today because they ran out after a bridal party came in earlier today. DARN!
The place itself is a bit hard to find. The entrance is located inside the parking lot right next to Old Spaghetti Factory. The moment we entered we were greeted right away and being excited that I was, I yelled "we're first timers!" To that the lady who greeted us began to show us their tea selections and menu. She invited us to open any tea containers we liked to see which fragrance we liked and what tea we would like to order. THERE WERE TONS! To narrow it down I asked her if they had any tea with ginger. I forgot what she suggested but it was a tea that she was super excited about and started telling me about it's background. "Heavily caffeinated from Ecuador. It will give you a boost of energy and allow you to have a full night's rest with positive dreams." Interesting!
The orders (w/ sugar and milk):
The "ginger tea that gives positive dreams": Sorry I forgot the name of the tea! :\ It came out in a huge pot. :) I liked it but it had a bit too flowery taste to it.
Golden Li Buo: The boyfriend said that it's "bitter at first but has a sweet after taste."
Heritage Scone: Think of a biscuit with raisins and that's exactly what it is. I picked out the raisins because I don't like them. Other than that, it was yummy and not dry. I like it!
Macaroons: I've been craving for these, so I was super happy that they served them here. An order has three different macaroons. A bit chewy which is how I like them, sweet and just simply perfect!
The tea house itself:
It's a really cute place with little small antiques and decorations throughout the store. Wonderful atmosphere.
I'm definitely coming back here to try their other teas and food especially the sandwiches since they ran out today. If you do go, I suggest to call them ahead of time just to make sure they didn't run out of something or if they're currently hosting a large party. :) -
Review from kim n.
8/28/2011
As an iced tea fiend, you can't help but notice when a place advertises that it has over a 100 iced tea varieties. As we stepped in, we noticed a very serene, and flowery space, with all sorts of art and frankly very girly interior design. If you're a guy, your nuts get checked at the door. In fact I saw a fellow come in with his GF, looking highly emasculated, and I'm thinking she has his pair in a jar somewhere. But that's beside the point. They carry quality product and a vast array of it. For a sunny hot day, the iced tea hit the spot in not only a refreshing way, it was delicious. Only 99+ more to try. While we were waiting for a tea to steep it seems like there was some crazy dress up tea time party about to convene, so we grabbed our beverages and high tailed it out of the surreal Alice In Wonderland scenario...
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Review from natalie y.
Palo Alto, CA
2/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
This tea place was a little hard to find at first. I parked in the parking garage on San Pedro street. After wandering the streets for 5 minutes and still not being able to find it, I called them. It turns out the shop is hidden behind Peggy Sue's. When I walked over there, I realize that there was an entire parking lot right in front of Satori that you can enter from Almaden Ave.
This tea shop is very very different from other tea shops that I have been to. It has such a modern decor that it almost seems futuristic. There were not a lot of tables, so it seemed almost awkward to be the only one sitting at the table and being served afternoon tea.
One thing I love about this place is that they have every kind of tea leaves on display, allowing you to go and sniff them all before you decide on which tea you would like to drink. Their portions are very large compared to any other tea rooms that serve high tea. I purchased a http://trubate.com coupon for tea-for-two, and it came out to 12 "not so mini" sandwiches, 4 scones, 2 crumpets with rum butter, and 2 full tiers of assorted desserts which included 2 French chocolate macarons, 2 shortbread cookies, 2 cupcakes, 2 eclaires, 2 truffles, and 2 cream puffs.
Service was excellent, and our server was very kind and polite. Also want to give a thumbs up to the classical violinist (?) (I totally forgot what instrument he was playing) who was serenading us during our tea time. Will somebody let me know how often he plays there?Listed in: Afternoon Tea Time
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Review from Rachel L.
San Jose, CA
3/8/2011
I love finding new, anomalous places to go in the South Bay, and high tea fit the bill perfectly. My mom happened to find a "Tea for Two" deal on Trubates, but honestly, I probably would've just as easily given them a blank check and let them write in whatever number they wanted next to the dollar sign. The overall experience was really that good!
The best advice I could give a first-timer here is to skip [insert whatever meal you were planning on eating before you came to Satori]. Just trust me on this one. After sitting down, we were promptly given a three-tiered tray of finger foods that included such deliciousness as crumpets with melted brie and apple, cranberry scones, and a small army of mini tea sandwiches. Then came another crumpet, this time with rum butter, followed by a two-tiered tray of desserts. We left gastronomically satisfied, and wishing the waistline on our pants had a bit more give. Now I almost understand why people buy jeggings. Almost.
Moving on to the pièce de résistance - the tea - I can't say enough good things. I'm usually an English breakfast kind of girl because I can't stand when tea is overpowered by more pungent fruity or flowery flavors. However, I decided to be brave and chose a peach and apricot black tea, whereas my mom chose an apple-flavored green tea. Both were subtle, refreshing and absolutely delicious. I can't wait to go back! -
Review from Natalie Q.
San Jose, CA
5/27/2011
Hooray Satori!!!
I have never loved coffee, but I can never turn down a cup of tea. Satori brings samples sometimes into the place I work, and I was in love immediately. They have so many delicious selections, and I have never had a tea i didn't love! PLUS, the place is quiet, quaint, and, to be frank, much more reasonable for tea than some of the other tea houses in the area.
Thank you Satori! San Jose has needed you! -
Review from Kristin W.
Mountain View, CA
4/4/2011
Woo-hoo! A tea lounge in San Jose that has a wide variety of tea and tea services? Yes please!
As soon as you walk in, the first thing you'll probably whisper to yourself is: "cool". Because it is cool - contemporary art hangs on the walls, a mixed array of chairs and tables are comfortably placed in the main area, and relaxing instrumental music plays softly in the background. What I like best about Satori Tea is the owner's story (from the Satori website):
"A tea enthusiast practically from birth, I started taking classes and learning about tea as early as seven. My dream has always been to open a tea shop, but what I thought would be a full-time hobby in retirement became a full-time career shortly after college. I graduated from Boston University and embarked on a unfulfilling career in fashion. Rather quickly, I realized that I wanted to do something that gave me creative freedom, rather than stifle my independent spirit. I've always loved tea and designing my own brand of fine, organic, healthful teas was a natural step."
Both mother and daughter work side by side in serving the tea. There is a wide selection, and there was even a type of tea that I was not familiar with that had just been evaluated by the FDA (forgot the name exactly, but the kind I got was called 'Amazon Fire'). We also got a strawberry green tea that smelled like Pez candies and tasted delicious. An entire pot of tea is about $7.50. Honestly, that's not bad at all for good quality tea. If you buy a tin of tea, it's about $8-12, which is an awesome value (a tin will make at least 20 cups of tea).
A disclaimer for some of you tea connoisseurs out there like me: this isn't the best quality tea within the bay area, but it's good quality. I am just thrilled that it's nearby and I don't have to drive up to San Francisco if I ever want a tea lounge experience. -
Review from Lan N.
San Jose, CA
2/22/2011
San Jose needs more tea places with knowledgeable staff and owners, and delicious pastries. On President's Day, Peter V. and I decided to try this place out for numerous reasons. When we got to the place, Victoria, the owner and her mother were there. We went inside, excited, only to be let down by the fact that they were closed. What made this place so awesome and our trip so great was the timing. After making some small talk, Victoria was so kind as to offer to brew us some tea. We couldn't turn her down, of course.
I had the Strawberry tea which was delicious and Peter V. had the earl grey creme. The teas were good enough but what sealed the deal for us was the omg, it-melts-in-your-mouth-macarons. I've been on a quest for some time now but never have I tasted such delicious marcons. It was made specially for them by a British pastry chef who also has the same name as the owner, Victoria. The cinnamon macarons went so well with my strawberry tea that I was so closed to buying the entire tray. They were so sweet to us. We wanted to pay for the teas and macrons, but they said it was on them. To return the favor, we bought some raisin scones and I wasn't surprised but they were delicious as well!
Wait for my second review on the full tea service experience. I'm really curious to try their other teas which all sounded too good. Their list of teas is extensive enough but not overwhelming. Yay for tea places in DT SJ! -
Review from Sarah D.
San Jose, CA
2/8/2011
I love this place!
It's very well decorated and the employees are all very polite.
It's a great place to just sit with a few of my husbands and I old friends and get caught up on each of our crazy lives!
We usually get together every few months and since we don't see each other that often we always have plenty to discuss. The employees didn't seem to mind how long you stay even if you've been sitting for over 2 hours.
We make it a rule to try a new tea each time but since we usually stay a few hours and then start ordering some of our favorites.
The Green Tea is always very good. I just can't get enough of that Irish Tea! I even bought some to take home!
I highly recommend this place for your next tea time!
Thanks for reading another Sara D's Approved review.Listed in: Sara D's Approved Tea Lover…
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Review from Jessica N.
Campbell, CA
4/9/2011
Service here is excellent! Tea here is very tasty as well. We came here on a Sunday, literally at closing time. I was disappointed, because I braved the streets (parking) in Downtown SJ (okay, it wasn't that bad, but still) and walked all over because we couldn't find it. We were about to turn around and leave, but they said we could come in and get some tea to go. I told her what kind of tea I usually drink and she suggested the Magnolia Oolong iced without sweetener and it was perfect. My Boyfriend got the Mountain Oolong, and it had a thicker, more smokey flavor. Very delicious.
I'd love to come back to this tea lounge when it's open and have the full experience. Also, they have a neat ipad attachment to scan your credit card. Even though it's kind of cool, if scanning your card into someone's personal, internet-ready device makes you uncomfortable (paranoid), bring cash. -
Review from Lauren K.
San Jose, CA
8/28/2011
This is as good as it gets.
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Review from Priscilla G.
San Jose, CA
8/28/2011
I came upon this place because of Groupon. The staff was really really nice and helpful in helping me to choose tea. I liked the White Peach tea (iced)/ The decor is soo so awesome. The parking can be validated by the tea staff. Bottom line: Get the White Peach with ice :)
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Review from Allister D.
Sunnyvale, CA
It's interesting how people these days forget about simple social hours like having tea time. It disappoints me how so many people from all ages have developed a taste for "fake tea", basically simple sugar and syrup mixed with flavored powder with probably a hint of tea, thats it. But surprisingly, thats where customers come. Kinda sad :/
Lately my gf and I have been on this tea time zone trying new teas and experiencing more of that traditional lifestyle. You see, tea started in China but its surprising to learn that Great Britain was one of the last European countries to adopt the beverage. "In fact, the first European to write about tea was the Portuguese priest Father Jasper de Cru, in 1560." (http://www.amazing-gre...)
Satori has made me appreciate tea more. The story behind this tea house is about a woman named Victoria. As a young girl she always had passion for tea and even took tea etiquette classes with her mother. As Victoria grew up, she traveled around England and different parts of Europe to try more tea houses. Ever since then, she and her family built this tea house called Satori! It's located in the heart of downtown San Jose and is pretty young since its only been standing less then 8 months only! I like this place a lot because not only is their passion for tea is great but the tea they brew, the foods they serve, and the decor around this house is astonishing. I like how Satori wants to remind and bring back the old traditional way of having tea time. -
Review from Sunny D.
11/18/2010
I like my tea straight forward so I'm not really a fan of flavored teas that just tastes like I'm drinking flavored water. Thankfully Satori was different.
I was really happy to find the wide variety of teas offered here. I was even more happy when I told the girl working there what I was exactly looking for (something spicy but strong) and she gave me exactly that, and it was delicious. I didn't expect that.
The atmosphere is very cute, the owner decorated it adorably. The serving style is also equally adorable. They bring your tea out in little wooden trays with your own mini glass tea kettle. (look at photos).
Two suggestions I could make for the place:
1. Put on some music :) I could hear some was on but it was sooooooo quiet, almost silence in there. I suggested we sit outside bc I felt like anyone in there could hear our conversation. Plus if we had fallen silent it would have been awkward if there was no background noise. You're decorations are so hip and cool why don't you put on some music that mirrors that?
2. You brought out fortune cookies with our tea, that was interesting. But I would have rather wanted some biscuits we could have purchased to eat with in addition to our tea or some sugar cubes. The fortune cookies seemed a little off in serving with tea.
Overall though I really like the place, I would definitely come back with some more friends. -
Review from Thomas L.
San Jose, CA
9/10/2011
So, I am not a tea connoisseur, I love tea but I don't know much about it. I finally got myself over there on the day my Groupon was going to expire and I enjoyed it SO much. Besides the fact that both Victoria and her mother (Tamara) were so welcoming and HELPFUL, me and my mother felt taken care of and not embarrassed to ask questions, and even though we came in right around 6:30 (half an hour before closing), they were both super helpful. It's the kind of place that if you were having a really stressful day and you just wanted to relax and unwind, you can enjoy some tea and a nice open environment to just de-stress. I'm super happy to have discovered this place.
