Are you wine over beer?  White over Black?  Tea over Coffee?  Then I take it the herbs interest you.  San Francisco’s Samovar Tea Lounge is one of the cities greatest assets and fits perfectly into the towns well-known “Earthy” theme.  With locations in the Castro-Mission, Yerba Buena Gardens, and Zen Valley, Samovar is not only home to one of the largest selection of teas in the city, but also makes a great hunger ceasing stop.  I stopped by at Samovar’s Yerba Buena locations on what seemed to be the most beautiful Sunday in all of history.

The magnificent view from the outdoor table we requested on a sunny San Franciscan Sunday.  Concrete meet grass.  Tea meet lips.

The cuppa Mango Mist tea which happened to be one of their specials for the day was everything I expected it to be.  A sweet rice water base with a hint of Mango made my tongue do a summersault in my mouth.  Served as a free-leafed cluster in the mini-tea pot, each pot brewed more potent than the next to have a lasting flavor, I yearn for again soon.

A tea expert had to take Carissa back to demonstrate how to self serve her bottomless Russian Black Tea Blend.  Sugar and milk were also made available at her disposal.

Russian Black tea blend with a splash of soy milk and a dash of Splenda.

Remember the goodies I was talking about?  Here is the Grilled Duck Jook:  Rice, slow cooked to a silken custard and served with tasty toppings: scallions, toasted garlic, peanuts, nori, cilantro, sriracha, and tamari soy sauce.

Here is a closer look at the Jook.  This time it is served with Smoked Salmon instead of the Duck.

Grilled Agor Cheese, Pesto, and Sundried Tomato served on a toasted whole-wheat, seeded, ciabata, with mayo, side salad w/tarragon-balsamic vinaigrette, and fresh fruit.  Let’s just say if you had your own Agor Cheese manufacturing factory, we would so be dating right now.

Lovely handmade Vegetarian Squash Dumplings with a Spicy Sesame-Soy sauce.  My favorite part?  The shape.  I like you different.

Perfect spot to enjoy the city, catch up with friends, release your stresses on a bright green leaf and watch it flutter away in the wind.

Zen Valley

Open Every Day : 10am – 10 pm
297 Page Street
(@ Laguna Street)
San Francisco, CA 94102
Phone: (415) 861-0303

Yerba Buena Gardens

Open Sunday – Wednesday: 10am – 8 pm
Thursday – Saturday: 10am – 9 pm
730 Howard Street
(above the waterfall in Yerba Buena Gardens)
San Francisco, CA 94103
Phone: (415) 227-9400

Mission-Castro

Open Everyday :  10am – 10pm
498 Sanchez St.
(@ 18th Street)
San Francisco, CA 94114
Phone: (415) 626-4700

nJOY from nKAY

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