Samovar Tea Lounge
(415) 626-4700
498 Sanchez St
San Francisco,
CA
94114
37.7612
-122.4307
Neighborhoods: Central, Castro
What People Are Saying About Samovar Tea Lounge
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
Woven mats cover the floors, a Buddha holds court in a corner, and gold curtains frame tall windows at this elegant, low-key lounge. Staff here takes tea seriously -- the extensive menu offers rare picks like 1993 cultivated menghal select leaves -- but service is as friendly and unpretentious as it comes. Light bites include tea-infused dishes like ginger tofu tea soup and green tea mousse along with curry egg salad sandwiches, edamame with toasted seaweed and rice bowls.
User Reviews
arisalomon
July 21, 2008
who needs chain cafes when you've got authenticity like this? great food and tea and fridnly service too. we have come here about once a month for years.
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elizready
March 29, 2006
This was more than mere tea, it was an experience. The food I agree is overpriced and the portions are tiny, but I have to admit it's very good. I love the atmosphere. My only complaint was the noise. When it's busy, it's way too noisy. The service was way too slow. I ended up being there for like 2 hours. I ordered the Russian tea which came with wonderful black tea, 3 tiny salmon-filled crepes, a bergamot-flavored bread pudding, and a deviled egg with caviar (which was my favorite part!). That cost me $15, and I was still hungry after so I ordered an egg salad sandwich. Spending $25 for lunch including tip was WAY more than I wanted to spend. They have an amazingly diverse menu though.
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gskhalsa
February 14, 2006
As a reader of countless Citysearch restaurant reviews, I have finally decided to put in my .02$ on Samovar, a genuinely enchanting tea lounge, perfectly suited for a casual romantic occasion. Admittedly, this is my first official encounter at a tea house and I had second thoughts about the seemingly unrealistic claims of robust flavor and delicate aromas, so I cheated and ordered a Moroccan mint tea (a tea I was already familiar with, allowing it to act as a benchmark). Said tea is a close to a liquid nectar as one will taste this side of the Milky Way galaxy. In addition to the marvelous tea and morsels, our server was equally sweet and pleasant.
read full reviewThe Details on Samovar Tea Lounge
Where to Sit:
At the entrance, two large benches covered in colorful silk pillows give a view of the busy corner's foot traffic.
Category:
Restaurants, Diners, Coffeehouses
Restaurant Special Features:
Lunch Spot, Quiet, Brunch, Cheap Eats
