Lovey's Tea Shoppe — Restaurant in Pacifica

After seeing the owner respond so quickly and reading the response; thinking back upon my travels and being told by servers that Americans have an abroad reputation as "serving ware" thieves that think they are entitled to these "souvenirs", I can understand why the trackable reservation may be required for the dainty cups and pots in the ritual, I revised my review to a neutral 3 because it should have been made clear before I ordered that it was being served in "to go" paper cups, as I would not have ordered if I knew that. As an alternative, I suggest one try the restaurant ware stores on Clement street in San Francisco, there one can find reasonable nice simple ceramic cups and pots for general use in house. Paper cups really taint the taste as well as the experience.

the original review below...

Disappointing experience - I have never in the hundreds of tea houses I have dined in all over the world and locally, both english style and asian, had "dine in/for here" tea served in a paper cup. What is the point of that for sit down dine in tea. Tea served at a table should be properly served in an actual ceramic cup, it does not have to be a dainty one, but not in a paper cup where the paper cup can be tasted in the teas. The irony is that there are, in this tea dive, hundreds of fancy used ceramic and porcelain tea cups for sale. When my tisane came, it was in a paper cup and when I told the server the tea was ordered "for here", obviously, I received an extremely curt reply stating I had to reserve online for the entire tea service if i wanted a proper tea experience with real cups... Um... so I cannot just walk in the almost completely empty tea house and have a proper cup of tea with just a scone... What I received was bagged tea in a paper cup, just like you would get at a fast food place. Hello, don't call yourself a tea house if you cannot do tea right. I wish I could say the tea was good, but it was not as the light tisane tasted...

I don't know why they changed their way of doing things, but this was my third time here and I won't be back ever. As an aficionado who has enjoyed high tea all over the world, I was really disappointed in Lovey's Tea Shoppe. It wasn't just one thing. I didn't like that I had to pay in advance. The price for afternoon tea with tip is $70 USD, so I was expecting a small amount of fabulous. I will say my Darjeeling tea was delicious. What I really didn't like was that they serve your lunch one thing at a time. I like to choose what I'm going to eat when it's all in front of me, which is something every other tea shop offers - except this one. The sandwiches are all made from the same bread. When you're done, you are offered a choice of scones. Then you get one single scone. Mine was overcooked and flat. One scone? They actually wait for you to finish that before they bring you half a crumpet. I didn't want a crumpet (English muffin). But what put me over the edge is when they finally brought out the tray of sweets, you could only choose ONE. This was just too much for me. I choose a chocolate petit four which was mushy, so I didn't eat it. I understand that costs have gone up, but this was just ridiculous. No one came and asked if everything was okay. I swear I was annoyed about this for days afterwards, and it upset an otherwise lovely time with a childhood friend. I will never go back to this place. I felt so ripped off. For the price I paid for my sandwich, overcooked scone, half a small crumpet and one mushy sweet, I could host a tea for a dozen of my friends. It's not like you're paying for atmosphere either, it's a little dive shop by the freeway, they don't play music, they sell the jam for a few dollars more than the shop that actually makes it across the street. Do better, Lovey's. You used to be enchanting. And I think people who like your place just don't...

This is an absolutely delightful experience and one any true tea lover shouldn't miss. My first time was as a birthday present and I simply fell in love. Since then I have gone back three times and just made a reservation for my upcoming birthday.

It a charming, quaint, and very cozy tea shoppe. The space is tastefully packed with tea paraphernalia and the most delicious teas to buy and relive your visit. Lovey herself is adorable and a devoted tea snob who knows everything about each tea she offers. But novices don't shy away, she is warm, friendly, and happy to explain the pleasures of tea drinking.

The food is good but the pastries are excellent. There are several type of tea services to choose from and the list of different teas is impressive. The meals and teas are serviced on mismatched tea cups and plates Lovey has collected. It really adds to the experience.

Best of all when you take your seat the outside world just melts away. It is some of the most relaxing and pleasurable hours I have ever spent with friends. I have taken many back including my sisters who of Scot/Ukrainian heritage we all know our teas.

Do yourself a favor and plan a visit. You will not be disappointed. Every time I go back I find a new tea to try. But every time I do return I always buy the Lady Grey decaf which can't be found anywhere...