Tea Reviews: Washington DC

Ching Ching Cha, Washington, DC

Visited: August, 2006.  Reviewed: May, 2007.
Meal: Just a cuppa. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: Gongfu style.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: n/a. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: Easily the best place for tea in Washington, DC. The atmosphere is tranquil, the service is friendly and the preparation of tea is superb. Although you may be able to get better quality teas over the internet, the teas are still very good and the selection is excellent. Prices are high, but not unreasonable when you consider what you are getting: a little slice of nirvana.
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: eca.masters Add your review

Visited: December, 2003.  Reviewed: December, 2003.
Meal: Just a cuppa. Type of tea: Loose leaf and teabags. Served: In a teacup.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: n/a. Service: Good.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: As you enter, the first thing you feel is an aroma of burning incenses. Walking up through the little hallway my attention was drawn to the stack of chinaware lined up beside the wall. Many different cups, shapes, designs of Oriental nature. Turning left, I notice two floor seating tables under a skylight, surrounded by cushions. Remove your sandals and take a seat if a table is free. Regular tables and chairs are also available. It's a nice quaint old tea room/tea shop to browse objects of interest, like books, packed teas, etc. There are many varieties of Chinese teas available. I would suggest you start of with any black tea blends with fruits (like mangoes, berries, etc.). The mango tea I tried first has a very pleasant aftertaste. The service is polite and fast. Vegetable steamed dumplings, steamed vegetables, and other non-vegetarian light fare is available. If you are in Washington in the vicinity of Georgetown, visit Ching Ching Cha.
Reviewer: Narayan Add your review  

Empress Lounge at Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Washington, DC

Visited: January, 2009. Meal: Afternoon tea.  Type of tea: Loose leaf.  Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent.  Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: I've been to dozens of tea places around the region and this place is unparalleled. For once, your $32 charge is worth it. You get a dessert buffet (all you can eat of sandwiches, scones, and desserts) and even a chocolate fountain--all in a sophisticated setting. A great way to relax with friends. But a dangerous place for a diet! (And for potty snobs, one of the most elegant restrooms around.)
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: ceecee63  1/09  Add your review  

Visited: December, 2008. Meal: Afternoon tea.  Type of tea: Loose leaf.  Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Average.  Food: Fair.  Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Average.
Comments: Tea is brought to your table; the food is served at several buffet stations. The lines were long, hemming in all the window tables and making it difficult to get anyone’s attention to keep our tea warm. The servers were gracious when they came, but clearly overwhelmed. Three types of sandwiches were served: sliced egg on white bread spread with curry mayonnaise, turkey tortilla rolls, and chicken quesedilla wedges. All were dry, dull, and indifferent. The pastries ranged from excellent mini scones and mini muffins to store-bought cookies [the European butter cookies that come in tins]. However, the worst part of our tea was attempting to leave the lobby lounge where the tea is served. We were held back by officious hotel personnel as a celebrity and her entourage waltzed through the lobby to enter their waiting limos. For that reason alone - requiring average citizens to restrict their movements in deference to a celebrity, I would never walk into the Mandarin Oriental Hotel again.
Would you go back? Sorry, no.
Reviewer: inickels 12/08  Add your review  

Visited: April, 2008. Meal: Afternoon tea.  Type of tea: Loose leaf.  Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent.  Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: this tea was amaizing i never had better food and the waiter waiter was so nice.
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: ssphantomfan 4/08  Add your review  

Visited: February, 2008. Meal: Afternoon tea.  Type of tea: Loose leaf.  Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent.  Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: Indelibly memorable experience!: the tea choices were displayed on a tray with samples in small cups. We were encouraged to smell and discuss the teas with the server jasmine pearls, leaves of provence, lovely loose leaf Chinas and herbals, assams, etc. The buffet of scones, sandwiches, and sweets was absolutely luscious -- the best I have had in ANY afternoon tea in Washington. The final touch was a South American-style jazz guitarist who began playing at 5, which was perfect. I recommend this afternoon tea UNCONDITIONALLY!
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Laurel 2/08  Add your review      

Henley Park Hotel, Washington, DC

Visited: October, 2008.  Meal: Afternoon tea.  Type of tea: Pyramid teabags.  Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Fair.  Food: Poor.  Service: Good.  Appearance: Average.
Comments: For the cost, we would've gotten so much more at the Four Seasons. I should've gone with my gut and stayed with my old faithful. My 13 y.o. could've prepared the tea sandwichs. It wasn't as savory as what I'm used to. Because we were a big party, they charged us a $75 setup fee to find out we were the only people there and the only set up they had to do was push the tables together. It was a waste and I'll never go back.
goback Sorry, no.
Reviewer: portia.hickson  11/08  Add your review  

Visited: December, 2000.  Meal: Afternoon tea.  Type of tea: Loose and bagged.  Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Fair.  Food: Fair.  Service: Poor.  Appearance: Fair.
Comments: This was a disappointing tea all around. The tea was only warm, the pastries were clearly not fresh or baked on the premises and tasted store-bought. The tea room was a small room with only three tables for four each, right off the lobby and next to the bar, and rather smoky from the bar. The service was indifferent, and our group of eight waited a long time to order, to receive our tea and food, and for the bill. We had been trying for months to book this tea, and realized that the small size of the room prevented our getting in sooner. We were so dissatisfied that we would not return unless we heard that the food and service had been completely changed.
Reviewer: Karen Johnson Moy  Add your review  

Renaissance Mayflower Hotel, Washington, DC

Visited: December, 2007.  Meal: Theme tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Good.  Food: Fair.  Service: Good.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: I went for the Christmas tea at the Mayflower hotel. It was decorated nicely with a live harpist. But the teen disco in the room next door interrupted the quiet ambiance of tea. Our service was lackluster and routine. The tea was good, but we only had one strainer for a table of five and the tea leaves were floating loosely in the pot, unabled to be removed and quickly turning bitter. The tea sandwiches were really canapes--very small and very eclectic. And chilled, obviously pre-made. Nothing truly outstanding for the high price. I much prefer dedicated tea rooms than the hotel experience--and I've been to the Ritz and the Jefferson in DC for tea for the same experience.
Would you go back? Maybe.
Reviewer: ceecee63  12/7  Add your review 

Visited: April, 2001
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf and teabags. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent.  Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: This is a wonderfully ornate hotel and tea room, with lots of chandeliers. It looks very posh, but is not intimidating. The waiter was attentive and funny, but didn't rush us. A harpist played on a balcony, and tables are set far apart. Can't remember how much it cost, but not cheap. Everything was delicious.
Reviewer: Carole  Add your review   

Visited: December, 1999
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent.  Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: Wonderful ambiance and food! We went with a large group of "girls" and the service was still excellent. A harpist played, the room was pretty and I'd highly recommend. 
Reviewer: kiki361@yahoo.com  Add your review   

Tea Cellar at Park Hyatt Washington, Washington, DC

Visited: February, 2009.  Meal: Tea tasting or flight. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: After reviewing all the tea rooms in Washington and asking my girlfriends, The Tea Cellar at the Park Hyatt Washington came very highly recommended. We reserved the Tea Cellar for a Tea Tasting which I had never done before. The loose leave tea selection was great and very reasonably priced ($7 for a glass teapot easily serving 3 to 4 cups) We decided to take the White Tea Tasting with 4 different teas including a delicious Jasmine scented "Royal White Star of China" that blossomed in front of us. Our servers were excellent and very knowledgeable. All my friends had a great time, and we will definitely be back soon.
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Elizabeth Johnson 4/09 Add your review  

Visited: May, 2007.  Reviewed: May, 2007.
Meal: Just a cuppa. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Poor.  Food: n/a. Service: Fair.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: My server was not trained on how to prepare tea. The water (taken from the tap) was tepid. The pot had not been pre-heated and the infusion was weak. What little bouquet the tea possessed was fragrant enough, but the tea had no body (probably due to the botched brewing). The prices (on average about $18/pot) are extremely high for the quality of tea being offered. The tea is incorrectly stored in see-through containers. The decor and ambiance, however, are excellent.
Would you go back? Sorry, no.
Reviewer: Chris Add your review     

Washington National Cathedral, Washington, DC

Visited: November, 2008.  Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Pyramid teabag. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: The Tea room is in one of the Church towers and has a wonderful view of Washington. The table is covered with crisp linens and fresh flowers. Each table has a teapot and three layers of the traditional goodies. I especially enjoyed the curried chicken salad. All the sweets were yummy. The serving ladies are knowledgable about tea and the cathedral. I made my reservation last minute and they were most gracious. The Tea and Tour of the church is highly recommended. The shops offer wonderful gifts. The garden was out of season, but promised a great spring display.
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Susann Courtney  12/08  Add your review

Visited: June, 2004.  Reviewed: May, 2005.
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Good. Service: Good.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: I celebrated my 54th birthday with 10 friends here. The view is awesome, the cathedral is a national treasure (be sure to ask to see the humorous sculptures), and the food is very good. It is ok to ask for seconds though they did run out towards the end. As long as food is there, you can eat your fill. I heartily recommend the Tour and Tea.
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Dr. Chambreau, Holistic Educator Add your review   

Visited: October, 2004.  Reviewed: November, 2004.
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: Two weeks ago we went to tea at the Cathedral. The food is just as stated in Nancy's write-up. We made our reservations a few months in advance. You could try to get in at the last minute and depending on the time of year you may get lucky. They are very easy to deal with. The tour was an architectural tour lead by a former teacher and student of one of the on-site schools. There was a lot of walking involved. Everything was beautiful. There is a wonderful Cathedral store that is fun and carries a large selection of different and interesting things to buy. I highly recommend this experience. It is one of the great sites in D.C. 
Reviewer: Teas by Tamara Add your review   

Visited: March, 2003
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Teabags. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Good.  Food: Good. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: The Washington National Cathedral offers a Tour and Tea on Tuesdays and Wednesdays throughout the year, by reservation, recommended six months in advance. The tour of the Cathedral begins at 1.30pm and culminates at 3pm with Afternoon Tea in the St. Paul Room of the Pilgrim Observation Gallery, which offers a magnificent view of the nation's capital. This delightful Afternoon Tea is co-sponsored by the Cathedral Visitor Programs and the Herb Cottage of All Hallows Guild. As a guest at the afternoon tea, you are entitled to a discount in the Herb Cottage gift shop.
The Afternoon Tea consists of a graduated three tiered serving tray. The bottom tray held the tea sandwiches. There was an assortment of cucumber sandwiches garnished with fresh dill, chicken salad in a phyllo cup, and egg salad. The middle tier held the cutest little raisin scones and chocolate brownies. The top tier held heart shaped sugar cookies that had a cayenne pepper topping. Crispy, crunchy, and with a bite. These trays were already on the tables as we sat down. Once seated, the hostesses provided steaming hot pots of Earl Grey tea. If you don't enjoy Earl Grey, the hostess is happy to provide another teapot of hot water and a selection of assorted teabags. Linen napkins and colorful table toppers graced each table. 
This is a delightful way to spend the afternoon while vacationing in DC. 
Reviewer: TakingTeaWithNancy Add your review   

Willard Hotel, Washington, DC

Visited: January, 2009.  Meal: Royal tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: My husband and I chose to spend Valentine's Afternoon enjoying a lovely afternoon at the Willard Hotel having tea. We started with a glass of champagne and followed with a very traditional afternoon tea. They served five different types of tea sandwiches, scones with devonshire cream, lemon curd, rasberry and orange preserves, and a variety of sweets. The server came by three different times to warm our tea, ask if we needed additional scones, etc. A harpist played during the service which really helped make it special. Finally, I would say that the servers were all very attentive. A truly delightful way to spend a few quiet hours. (Tea with champagne was approximately $47/pp; $37/pp without champagne.)
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Carol 2/09  Add your review

Visited: February, 2008.  Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Teabag. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Good. Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Good.
Comments: While the Willard Hotel (near the White House) does a good job of serving a traditional British afternoon tea (my mum is English so I know the drill), it wasn't my favorite afternoon tea room in D.C. It was a little more pricey than my favorite (the Four Seasons in Georgetown) and the food wasn't quite as good. The other part that disappointed me was that it is served in "Peacock Alley" or an area of the hotel that serves as a walkway for guests and local D.C. shoppers to walk through the hotel to other shops and such. For that reason, there were kids running and people constantly walking through your sitting area, which took away from the ambiance and interrupted your conversation. My friend really liked it, and I would probably go back if she wanted to, but I still prefer the Four Seasons who does everything perfectly!
Would you go back? Maybe.
Reviewer: freedman618 7/08  Add your review