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: 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    

The Four Seasons Hotel, Washington, DC

Visited: April, 2008. Meal: Afternoon tea.  Type of tea served: Teabags.  Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Average.  Food: Fair.  Service: Poor.  Appearance: Good.
Comments: After reading the great reviews here a group of four friends made a reservation to have high tea at The Four Seasons in Washington DC. Well, what a disappointment!!! The waiters we had assigned to us were missing half of the time, we had to ask 5 times for more hot water, the food while it was fairly good, it was minimal, and for whatever reason they seated us in this one sigle table near the bar while there were empty tables in the tea service area. Overall the service was 
overpriced ($37/pp) for what we got. Oh, and afterwards, my stomach didn't feel very well. Very, very disappointing!
Would you go back? Sorry, no.
Reviewer: SAB 4/08  Add your review   

Visited: November, 2007. Meal: Afternoon tea.  Type of tea served: Loose leaf.  Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent.  Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: I am the daughter of a traditional, tea-loving, English mother. I grew up with afternoon tea every day and believe me, I KNOW how a traditional afternoon tea is to be served and the Four Seasons does an excellent job. The sweets are very rich, the finger sandwiches are traditional yet varied (cucumber, curried chicken, salmon, etc.) and everything is nicely presented. The tea selection is traditional yet again, with plenty of variety for caffeine, or decaf-lovers, or people who liked flavored teas. The service is excellent. You feel like you've had an elegant sufficiency afterwards. I've been several times in the past couple years and will continue to go every time I desire a taste of my English side. It's well-worth the money.
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: English-tea expert 2/08  Add your review   

Visited: November, 2006.  Reviewed: November, 2006.
Meal: Afternoon tea.  Type of tea served: Loose leaf and teabags.  Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Fair.  Service: Good.  Appearance: Good.
Comments: Ive had tea here for years - most recently this past month. The tea is excellent however the food is average at best. The service is ok - could be better for the price and venue.
Would you go back? Maybe.
Reviewer: EE  Add your review   

Visited: December, 2005.  Reviewed: December, 2005.
Meal: Afternoon tea.  Type of tea served: Loose leaf.  Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent.  Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: This was our first time and we had a wonderful time. The staff at the Four Seasons were so nice and helpful and really made our experience there even better. The food and the tea were excellent. I will definitely be returning there again.
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Arlene W.  Add your review   

Visited: September, 2005.  Reviewed: September, 2005.
Meal: Afternoon tea.  Type of tea served: Loose leaf.  Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent.  Service: Excellent.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: Of course, this is a first class hotel with first class service and food. It also has great ambiance, and there is valet parking (for a fee, of course). However, the overall price tag is more affordable than the Ritz-Carlton on M Street in D.C.
Would you go back? Yes, can't wait!
Reviewer: Kathy L  Add your review   

Henley Park Hotel, Washington, DC

Visited: December, 2000
Meal: Afternoon tea.  Type of tea served: 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   

The Ritz-Carlton Washington, Washington, DC

Visited: August, 2005.  Reviewed: September, 2005.
Meal: Afternoon tea. Type of tea: Loose leaf. Served: In a teapot.
Tea: Excellent.  Food: Excellent.  Service: Good.  Appearance: Excellent.
Comments: The food is excellent here, but the tea selection is small. Reservations are strongly encouraged. However, the price tag is steep with a tea service charge. It comes out to around $90 for two.
Would you go back? Maybe.
Reviewer: Kathy L  Add your review 

Tea Cellar at Park Hyatt Washington, Washington, DC

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: 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