lupicia tea

This shop is such a gem for tea lovers, it almost redeems the Century City mall for me. We fell in over the holidays on the hunt for gifts and ended up taking care of a good part of our list in this store alone.

They have an amazing selection of teas and an incredibly knowledgeable staff. They carry everything from a line of more than 200 loose teas - many of which are hard to find or original blends - to beautiful tea pots and accoutrement, and great gift boxes and holiday sets. The prices aren't cheap, but are reasonable for the quality. And even if you're not in the market to buy, they're very generous with the samples.

Their specialty is Japanese tea (given that they have more than 80 locations in Japan, this shouldn't come as a surprise), so if you're a fan, this place needs to go on your favorites list. The Gyukoro Green is great, as is the selection of Genmai Cha. Other favorites include the Sweet Dreams blend (cut ginger, chamomile, dried apple, fennel, bluemallow), which is a must if you find yourself sick, and one of their top-sellers, the Champagne Rose (black tea). If you like spicy, the chai selection is fantastic.

To learn more, you can check out their website which has recently been translated to Engrish.

Westfield Century City Mall
Los Angeles, CA 90067

elixir

** Update ** Sad to report, the rumors are true. Elixir is officially closed. (7/12/07)

If you're looking for a little zen on the westside, than this is the place to be.

They've got more tea than you could shake a stick at (well, I guess you could shake a stick at it, but I can't imagine why you'd want to), and a beautiful little garden to sit outside and enjoy it in, by day and (torch lit) by night.

They offer a slew of "elixir" tonics - Virtual Buddha, Liquid Yoga, Chi Devil and Morning After are a few of my pics - which can be had hot, or, cold and sparkling, (they seem sweet, but fear not, no added sugar) though for me, the real draw is their amazing variety of tea which can be enjoyed by the pot. Try the Gen Mai Cha or the Bengal Chai with milk and honey - they won't disappoint.

In the market for a little splurge or to take something home? They have an amazing selection of tea and teapots for sale, though unless money is no issue, you're probably better off looking for quality ceramics in J-Town. Sage, incense and all sorts of earthy goodies are also readily available, and at far more reasonable prices than their teapots.

You'll notice they're also a complete herbal apothecary with a full line of herbal tinctures and tonics for all that ails ya, and if you're lucky the herbalist will be in to help you navigate the myriad bottles of this and that.

As others have mentioned, it's worth checking out their calendar for events and goings on. Some evenings, there's live music out on the patio facing the garden or the card readers will be out doing their thing.

Tip: The Bodhi Tree bookstore is right across the way, so it's worth checking both places out if you have time.

8612 Melrose Ave West Hollywood, CA 90069
(310) 657-9310

zen zoo

Considering I come to this Zen Zoo at least once a week, it's only fitting that I give it a great review.

Whether you're in the mood for a delish tea boba concoction (they have a dozen or so named after the signs of the Chinese zodiac), a light meal or organic/vegan sweet treat, they've got you covered.

The staff are fabulous and always happy to give you a sample of this or that.

The hidden, little upstairs dining area is a great find and perfect for a quiet lunch with a read from Borders next door, or an impromptu business lunch.

Tip: If you're in the market for some "alternative" service, or just happen to be curious about what's going on around town, there's a little community board on the wall near the front door that's nearly always jam packed with new business cards.

1517 N Vine Street
Hollywood, CA 90068
(323) 962-9969