Samovar Tea Lounge

03/29/2006 Posted by elizready

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.

Pros: food, tea, atmosphere

Cons: crowds on weekends, slow service

02/14/2006 Posted by gskhalsa

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.

08/21/2005 Posted by tlombardia

We ate there last night and were blown away by the food and tea pairings. Great service, 6 courses takes quite some time but it was a lovely experience overall. The cuisine was sophisticated and perfect timing from the servers.

Pros: Tea Event Dinners

Cons: Takes a long time, no

02/09/2004 Posted by teasnobismo

I just read the previous poster's posting. I don't know if I agree with that. I have to admit that I'm prejudiced and like Samover a lot (I was one of the people who discovered it, just after they opened). As somebody who has been to many restaurants and cofes and have to wait to get a seat, I appreciate the staff clearing tables moving on those people who just sit there for ages and use their laptop or take up a table. If you go there during the week or in the morning, it;s definately more quiet and you can sit there all day.

Pros: Amazing tea selection, Very helpful staff

07/31/2003 Posted by foodandwine4ever

Don't come into Samovar if you want to grab a cuppa joe and run. They'll think you're speaking an obscure Manhattenese dialect. It's a lounge, and that means relaxation. And while coffee addicts need to get their fix elsewhere, you'd be surprised at the pleasant caffeine buzz you'll get off a few of those teas. Just ask; the staff is really well-informed. Oh, and the food is suprisingly good, especially the baked goods.

Pros: Great ambience, Helpful staff, Yummy eats

Cons: Slow-ish service

07/11/2003 Posted by obaser

I am originally from a country where tea is the most common drink on a daily life. With this background I can tell yo that tea at Samovar is the best. The people running the place and the ambient is also great; one of a kind. Well done!

Pros: Food, Service, Ambient

07/05/2003 Posted by honkytonkman

I'm a die-hard tea drinker so I'm biased in favor of tea-ists. Why has it taken this city so long to come up with a place serving decent tea? So, Samovar? The Samovar guys have done an incredible job renovating the space and I saw a lot of jaw-dropping. The design is unlike anything I've seen and is cool yet comfortable. The teas, however, are what it's all about - it's a very big selection but the staff take the time to explain about the different kinds of tea including aged (!) teas. The food is good, original and tasty. There's also entertainment - a sax player when I was there and big windows for people watching. Tea is not cheap but you're getting really high quality tea in a very cool environment so you get what you pay for. There are also some less expensive teas available.

Pros: Great tea & food, Very cool space, Nice, helpful staff

07/05/2003 Posted by marchammerman

Much more than just a cup of tea, Samovar is the full sensual experience. Where else can one contemplate the comings and goings of a living neighborhood through tall windows; listen to jazz in tune with the minute to minute rhythms of the Castro; feel the textures of a unique interior design; inhale the aromas of exotic teas and taste their subtle flavors?

Pros: Unique experience

06/17/2003 Posted by cecealias

Samovar is an upscale new hot spot near the Castro in San Francisco. Although currently unmarked with a sign, it carries a savvy New York sense of style with a splash of the Mediterranean in a cafe/lounge setting. Perfect for a romantic afternoon date, a place to work on your thesis or bring your laptop to chill. Perks include free wireless internet access with purchase, large glass windows for people watching, a lounge booth and low cushion like seating in addition to the usual cafe table-chair seating. The owners and the other cafe workers are definite eye candy, but what hell, this is the Castro after all. Be warned that the prices are pretty steep. For a pot of tea, it can cost you a pretty $5 bucks, but you're not there to just drink it, you're there for the experience.

Pros: Great Atmosphere, Free Wireless Interne, Quiet Neighboorhood

Cons: Expensive