tea in sf

Although I didn't live in the city of San Francisco, I have lived in the East Bay (Berkeley, Albany and Emeryville) on and off over the last 15 years. Recently we visited the City and discovered a fantastic little tea shop in Noe Valley. It's called Lovejoy's.

What I love about the place is that it has a very homey feel and inviting. We arrived a few minutes past five with another couple (with a baby in tow and one due at any moment), and despite the sign that said last seating at 5pm, and the place was packed, they let us in. We actually shared a table with them.

All of the tea pots and cups and saucers were unique. Nothing matched, and yet somehow they did. Our teapot had an owl on it.

We ordered the high tea for two and two sausage rolls. The tea we ordered had salad, which was tasty, but not exactly easy to eat. I think that the couple we were seated with had the right idea in ordering the light tea that came with fruit along with a side of crumpets and a side of sausage rolls. They also asked for lemon curd, which looked really tasty. Also, if you order a tea the sausage rolls are $2 each - they are tiny so order at least one per person.

Our tea came with scones and tea sandwiches (we got to pick two each from about a dozen varities) and sugar cookies. We got the Taylor's Tea Room Blend tea, which was great with milk. They had lots of varieties of tea though, so there is something for everyone.

There were several baby showers going on - it was a Saturday. But even better there were men of all ages enjoying tea. Usually when B and I go for tea, he is the only male there.