ArTeA Shop — Restaurant in McLean

There were pros and cons to ArTeA, but the bottom line is that the tea service was NOT worth the price. We each paid about $113 after taxes and built in tip- way too much. Pros: the staff was nice and attentive; the drinks and teas were interesting combinations; everything seemed clean; the savory fare was interesting and most was tasty (although we all agreed, not the sweet potato stack!); we did not feel particularly rushed; the food presentation was very pretty. Cons: the sweet items were overly sweet and not to my taste, especially the matcha macaroon cookie; the scones were tiny and there was a wide variance in the size amongst the table; the butters that were served were tasty enough but did not go with the scone at all (example, mushroom butter with a date scone) and there was far more butter than the tiny scone could handle so there was a lot of wasted butter and lemon creme; the price (you only got eight little bites, tea, and a cocktail so $40 to $50 dollars would have been much more appropriate). I would consider going back for tea if their prices were significantly lowered, and I did see some tasty looking restaurant food going by our table which I would potentially try in the future, but as it stands now I cannot in good conscience recommend the tea service due to the...

Newest boba and dessert shop in McLean is a 10/10 and I would highly recommend. I’m posting this after our second time stopping in (within 1 week) and everything we have tried so far has not missed.

The boba is customizable by sugar level, boba options, and dairy/non-dairy milks, and my favorite flavor so far is the honeydew pistachio! If you want something lighter for the summertime I also tried the peach-lime today with peach popping bubbles and it was bright and refreshing. My favorite dessert so far is the ice cream raspberry macaron with it’s tart and sweet filling and fluffy shell, although the snickers macaron is a close second as a fancy and more fulfilling spinoff the of beloved classic candy bar.

Lastly, I’d like to mention the shops policy of fair prices and no-tipping— a model I think more restaurants and shops in America need to adopt. The shop owners explained this to us today, but even before they mentioned it I thought their prices were fair and competitive with other boba/dessert shops in DC (and those still encourage large tips to be added to the bill!).

Both times we have visited the owners have been there, and have been absolutely lovely people. I hope they get even more business in the future, I would love to see ArTea become a staple of the local food...

Spent a lovely afternoon last Sunday at ArTeA Restaurant with a friend. We were welcomed with a warm cup of complimentary caramel tea that tasted like a cozy hug in a cup. That was just the beginning.

I opted for the Sunset Lemonade which was very refreshing and a great accompaniment to a vanilla scone speckled with dates that was served with a trio of spreads: Lemon Curd (zesty sunshine), Red Bell Pepper Butter (sweet and savory surprise), and Mushroom Butter (umami magic).

We’d preordered two “towers”: the Diving Tower and the Delightful Tower - one savory, one sweet, one savory—both delicious. My favorites from the Divine tower were The Pineapple Beef Puff Pastry, Sweet, savory, flaky and the Pistachio Chicken Bites.

True to its name, the Delightful Tower was a sweet lover’s dream! Each tier offered a playful mix of treats—from the rich Snickers macaron and vibrant Matcha mousse cube to the delicate pavlova crowned with cream and berries. We adored the coconut raspberry panna cotta, the blueberry lavender heart, and the cheerful pops of fresh strawberries and blueberries. We paired it all with two lovely teas: lavender and lemongrass leaves—both calming and aromatic, the perfect way to balance all the bold bites.

Overall? 10/10 would sip and...