Blue Willow Teaspot — Restaurant in Berkeley

In the labyrinthine landscape of Berkeley's caffeinated establishments, a tea leaf falls softly, quietly making its mark. Welcome to Blue Willow Teaspot, an enclave that successfully defies categorization, flourishing as a crossbreed of a Japanese tea house, a botanical garden, and a hipster café. It is a paean to tea culture, meticulously curated yet remarkably unpretentious. Here, where eastern traditions are honored -it is met by a Western sensibility without compromising the depth of either. It's an environment where tatami-like floor seating coexists with modern counter spaces and well-appointed duet tables. Each seating arrangement is an invitation to a unique experience, whether you're steeping into mindfulness alone or sharing a brew with companions. The warmth and excellence of this establishment hinges on the stalwart team that keeps it humming. Reya, Corinne, Niko, Shafari, Ali,, Bill and more (I haven't learned everyone's name - yet!) and their tribe of tea stewards exude a level of expertise that elevates a simple infusion to an art form. One cannot overstate the care, from the sourcing of tea leaves to the act of pouring, that is poured into every cup. While my visits have largely been solitary affairs, the space expands effortlessly to include social circles, even intimate tête-à-têtes. And though reservations may be prudent for weekend visits, the venue's welcoming aura leaves no one at the threshold. In a city where coffee shops abound but seldom enchant, Blue Willow Teaspot manifests as an urban oasis where tea is not merely a beverage but a medium for community building. As I pen this review, I am enveloped in a sense of gratitude. Thank you, Blue Willow, for steeping Oakland in a culture of tea and togetherness that transcends boundaries. If the essence of a good tea house is to serve as a sanctuary from the chaos outside its doors, Blue Willow Teaspot has succeeded with understated elegance. The question isn't whether you should go, but rather, why you...

I heard that the teas here are very good from a friend of mine who is a tea aficiando. Went in today and saw some folks at the tea bar and a few people behind it. Someone said, "hi," and I popped into the restroom. I came back to order tea but got confused. It looked llike some people were getting table service (tea was being brought to their table) I didn't see the cash register because a worker was in front of it working on a display and it was very low profile. I was standing back from the tea bar - as a small child was playing in the area and people were seated at it. Nobody asked if they could take my order so I sat down at a table. I only had 15 minutes and i tried to do some work. It was hard to concentrate because I wasn't sure if I should go order or they were going to come to my table. The longer I sat there the more awkward the situation became and my time was running out.

i really like the coffee shops where the register/oerdering procedure is clearly displayed and maybe the workers even have some kind of aprons on that shows they are working there. At Peets it is always clear where you order and where your tea is picked up, even if they don't have the quality and selection that this place does. I guess these artisanal places like to keep the payment area low profile. Other than not being able to actually get any tea, the place had a nice atmosphere with good music playing. There was also several cool seating areas for those who want to sit cross-legged at a low table. The other people there had figured out the system and were all drinking tea. I hope that eventually I recover from this shame-triggering experience and am able to go there again, perhaps with my friend who knows the staff and can navigate getting a cup of...

I was excited to visit Blue Willow Tea with my friends, but unfortunately, our experience did not meet our expectations due to poor customer service and misleading information on the website.

We had booked a private room in advance but encountered several issues upon arrival. First, we were not greeted and had to get the staff’s attention ourselves to confirm our reservation. The staff seemed surprised and simply handed us one menu for the four of us, pointing us towards the private room from the bar without escorting us.

After waiting 20 minutes in the room without any service, we went to the bar to inquire about the tea service process. We were informed that staff members are not allowed in the private room and that we needed to come to the bar for service. This was not communicated to us beforehand.

We also inquired about the details of our reservation, particularly whether it included any teas. The staff seemed unsure and said they would check the website. It appeared that they lacked proper training, and no manager was present to offer guidance.

The website advertises "a commitment to helping customers find the beauty in every sip,” but we did not receive any information or guidance on the teas. We were hoping for an informative experience where we could learn more about the different teas available, but this was not provided.

If you are looking for a tearoom with knowledgeable staff who can offer a learning experience about teas, I would suggest trying a different establishment. Based on this visit, I cannot recommend this tearoom and will not...