LA trip end of Jan

For general/other topics related to tea.


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Dec 8th, '08, 13:53
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LA trip end of Jan

by Vulture » Dec 8th, '08, 13:53

I am not sure how many people are around here in So Cal. I learned that Victoria was just north of me by a couple hours. I started discussing a trip up to LA to check some vendors and see what other tea mischief we could get into. So far its looking to be the 24th or 25th of January. We only have 2 places on our list so far but they are Hankook and Lupicia.

I wanted to see if there were any other people in the area interested in going. Or even if you just know some good places to stop by. If you can go, please put in which day or days you are available. You can also PM me instead of posting.

Dec 8th, '08, 14:41
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by Pentox » Dec 8th, '08, 14:41

Good call on checking out Lupicia. Personally I'm up in SLO, but might drop down for a day just to meet people.

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Dec 8th, '08, 15:38
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by silverneedles » Dec 8th, '08, 15:38

Chado Tea is ok, at least the one in Beverly Hills
Den's Tea in Torrance, they said to call if someone wants to come by(not sure if they have a store or what there)
Winghopfung supermarket in Chinatown (i hear the one in Monterey Park is better)
i'm sure wyardley & jason are more up to date :)

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Dec 8th, '08, 17:14
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by Victoria » Dec 8th, '08, 17:14

I've been to Chado, it's ok as far as the ambiance of going to a tea room, but the tea is not all that. When I questioned them on a couple of points by email, they choose to never respond. Not very good business practices to a local and potential repeat customer.

Dec 8th, '08, 17:35
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by Pentox » Dec 8th, '08, 17:35

Haven't been to any of the socal lupicias, but I bet they're great ;)

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Dec 8th, '08, 17:59
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by Victoria » Dec 8th, '08, 17:59

Yeah, you know why I want to go.
:)

Come down and meet us.

And have you seen the pics of the inside of Hankook?
Wow, some nice teaware.

Dec 8th, '08, 18:08
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by Pentox » Dec 8th, '08, 18:08

I haven't seen the pics of the inside of Hankook, but I am intrigued by what I've seen everyone else pick up. I'm a bit apprehensious about their website though.

Yeah i'll probably head down to meet you guys. Then I can finally match a face to the ever so elusive socalers.

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Dec 8th, '08, 18:14
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by Victoria » Dec 8th, '08, 18:14

Hankook has a new site now and a better server, so it seems
the problems are fixed.

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Dec 8th, '08, 19:45
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by bearsbearsbears » Dec 8th, '08, 19:45

PM me or email me for contact info if you'd like to meet up while you're here.

Another place to check out would be Tea Habitat in Palos Verdes, but it's a bit out of the way.

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Dec 8th, '08, 22:30
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by wyardley » Dec 8th, '08, 22:30

I would skip Lupicia for sure. I haven't tried their teas, but it's very typical mall tea store like Teavana or something along those lines.

Second Wing Hop Fung, and Tea Habitat. Never been to Hanook, but have always been curious to try it. There are a few other places in the SGV to check out too - Valley Coffee and Tea doesn't let you try tea and doesn't have a huge selection, but they have some decent green Taiwanese oolongs. Ten Ren / Ten Fu has several locations in the area; I personally wouldn't buy tea there, and some of their teaware is overpriced, but they do have some interesting things, especially some fairly priced yixing tea boats, tea cloths and teapot coaster thingies, electric kettles, etc.. The different locations are independently owned; I have seen some decent stuff at both the Tea Station location on Valley, and the one on Garvey / Garfield.

If I'm around then, I'll definitely be happy to meet up with any teachatters in LA over the weekend, and bbb & I can put you in touch with the other LATA folks who aren't on the forum or don't check it much.

Depending on how many people are involved, we might be able to find some place to brew tea together, either at someone's house or outdoors somewhere. At my work (Caltech), there are some outside seats with electrical outlets near them; even if I'm not there, I doubt anyone would hassle you about brewing some tea out there. From there, you're pretty close to the SGV also -- tea shops and good Chinese food.

I don't know yet if I'll be around then. I don't always check the misc. forum, so PM me or email me if you want anything specific from me.

Dec 8th, '08, 22:52
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by Pentox » Dec 8th, '08, 22:52

wyardley wrote:I would skip Lupicia for sure. I haven't tried their teas, but it's very typical mall tea store like Teavana or something along those lines.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA NO

Lupicia isn't anything like Teavana at all. There's a huge difference in the quality and selection of their teas. There are sooo many differences between the two of them.

What's your pref in tea wyardley?

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Dec 8th, '08, 23:00
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by Victoria » Dec 8th, '08, 23:00

Not skipping Lupicia, it is one of the main reasons for the trip to LA.
Besides I'm going for the teaware and also to compare it to the Hawaii store.

Dec 8th, '08, 23:12
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by Pentox » Dec 8th, '08, 23:12

Victoria wrote:Not skipping Lupicia, it is one of the main reasons for the trip to LA.
Besides I'm going for the teaware and also to compare it to the Hawaii store.
*high fives Victoria*

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Dec 8th, '08, 23:24
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by Vulture » Dec 8th, '08, 23:24

So far peps that might be going:

Vulture
Victoria
Pentox
Bearsbearsbears
wyardley
Randome T-Nerds from LA

We will probably arrange a place to meet that is safe to leave cars. Easier on gas if a couple of us carpool around town. I will make a little travel map and see whats where sometime tonight.

Bears - I will PM you later for info

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Dec 8th, '08, 23:31
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by wyardley » Dec 8th, '08, 23:31

Pentox wrote: There's a huge difference in the quality and selection of their teas. There are sooo many differences between the two of them.
Most of the stuff I saw when I went in the store seemed to be flavored / scented teas and what not. And even the types of teas that I would drink, I am pretty sure I could get a better quality tea for the same price elsewhere. Which of their teas do you think are especially good?

Their teaware didn't do much for me either. But I haven't tried drinking any of their teas, so I won't say anything else about them.

They do have those nice little clips for closing bags of tea, though.

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