Tea Time!

I have always wanted to have afternoon tea.  As someone who is obsessed with British culture, this is one I wish we did here in the U.S. And the siesta from Mexico, but that's a different post.  


So when my friend Brandy asked me to go to the Chado Team Room in Hollywood I literally squealed with excitement. Literally! How did I not know this existed? I would eat cucumber sandwiches, and sip tea with my pinky in the air!  Let the fancy begin!


We met on a perfect Sunday afternoon.  They have several locations including Pasadena, Los Angeles, Downtown L.A., and India. Yes. India.  Since we couldn't make it overseas, we chose the location in Hollywood.  I didn't realize until we got there that it was the H. Wood bar. It had been transformed into a tea room during the day.  How unusual! But also, not what I had envisioned a tea room would be.  It was more of like a hip flea market tea room that you'd find in a artsy film. Mismatched leather couches, a bookshelf full of nameless books, and a smattering of tables.  Inside the mahogany bar was beautiful. But it was so dark and melancholy.  It didn't seem appropriate for a quick afternoon tea. So despite the chill in the air, we sat outside under the heat lamp.

The menu was full of delights!  Sandwiches with an Indian flare (Punjab: Eggs marinated in our Lapsang Souchong Smoked Tea then combined with Mayonnaise and green onions $7.95) to more traditional U.K. eats (Limerick: English Cucumbers served on buttered bread then decorated with Cream Cheese and green onions $7.95)  We decided to get the Afternoon Tea Tier. It comes with a sampling of 6 different sandwiches, scones and berries, and 2 deserts.  Plus you get to pick a pot of tea!  All for $18. Not too shabby.

The tea book at Chado is lengthy and hard to navigate if you're not a tea expert. Which I am not.  So our waiter was very helpful in asking us questions about what kind of tea we like and what flavors we enjoy. He then brought some tea canisters to our table and let us smell it to decide if we wanted to try it.  This was a great idea because some teas I thought I would like, smelled like a potpourri satchel. So we picked our tea with confidence and let the conversation begin!  

Three hours later, we had completely stuffed ourselves with delicious sandwiches, two pots of tea and scones. I thought the sandwiches were excellent!  The Smoked Salmon (open faced on dark rye bread with cream cheese then topped with baby dill and a slice of lemon) and Souchong Chicken Sandwich (Shredded smoked Chicken Breast combined with mayonnaise and Cranberry Lingonberry sauce) were my favorites. The tea was just what I wanted, but you have to drink it quickly because it gets cold.  When you're done with your pot, there's a tea leaf reading guide in the back of the menu.  I found out that something new was coming into my life involving a friend. Huh. Maybe a visit to a new tea room with my friend Brandy?  Damn those leaves are good.

Overall I had a lovely time.  I don't think I would revisit the H. Wood location. It feels too Hollywood. And everything else in this town is already too Hollywood. Sometimes you just want to escape that for a bit. I was expecting doilies, and high back chairs.  But we got leather couches and heat lamps. So if that's what you're looking for then this is your place.  Chado isn't a traditional British tea room. It's more of an Indian tea experience. But still a great way to catch up with an old friend. And no one will glance twice if you want to raise your pinky in the air while sipping your tea.

Hollywood Location 
1738 N. Orange Dr.
Hollywood, CA 90028
Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 11:30AM to 6:00PM 

Phone: (323) 871-2262

Happy Tradventuring!

Heather