Ryan L.
Yelp
Goldfish Tea doesn't have any Goldfish, but they should. But they do have Tea, and they have a lot of tea. They have many different kinds that appeals to many different tastes. I've tried several of their teas and they've all been very good. The staff is very helpful and gives a lot of good descriptions of the tea. Furthermore, they serve more than just tea, including coffee drinks and food.
So here's the deal. When you go there you pick the type of tea you want (green, white, black, oolong or pu'er). There's many varieties of each type. They are priced by three different categories. You then select how much you want. You can get an individual cup, a small pot for a small group or a large pot for a large group. The tea is served on a tray with a timer. You steep the tea according to the timer. Remove the tea strainer, pour, and enjoy. Then if you want more put the strainer back in, take it up to the hot water bar and pick one of three spigots according to the type of tea. Fill with water, start the timer again and repeat as many times as needed. I love that it's so easy to steep and resteep your tea.
The interior is comfortable with many chairs and tables. There are some couches and chairs with cushions. There are some large tables for a big group. The walls are lined with tea sets and tea for sale. Winding across the ceiling is a beautiful silk "river" that I believe is from China. They also have games and magnetic poetry to occupy your time. In addition, they provide free wi-fi that's not currently password protected.
My only complaint is that the ambiance is not as comfortable as I would like it. It can either be quiet and relaxed or vibrant and busy. As another person stated, the lighting is a little too harsh for the place. I think dimmer lighting could create more ambiance and a more relaxed atmosphere.
At my most recent trip, the shop was quite noisy. There was a large group talking about starting their non-profit organization, the owner's child was watching a loud DVD, overhead music was playing, people were shouting across the store, a man went to the bathroom and his timer went off for a long time before someone stopped it. The timers are loud and a little obnoxious. I know that the owners have little control over the noise. However, sometimes it's just too much. If I was still in school I don't know if I could study here, and I often prefer some background noise.
Thursday evenings are open mic night. I attended once and the performances were not bad at all. However, it's quite loud so it's not the night if you're looking for a quiet, intimate place.
If you want a locally-owned alternative to the big coffee chains, please support Goldfish Tea. It's a beautiful place and a great way to experience tea in a sophisticated yet easy way.