The culinary offerings truly embody a fusion of flavors. This is not your typical Chinese restaurant; the dishes surprise with unexpected twists that elevate the dining experience. The hot and sour soup is not my favorite. It's a bit too spicy for me. The service is fast. Servers are polite and responsive. Ambience is cozy. Place is clean. read more

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I really wanted to love this place because the decor is adorable, and I love the Asian-inspired tea service. Unfortunately, this was another spot I fell for through the social media hype, but in the end, I just wasn't impressed. We made reservations a month in advance, and we were able to get seated 30 minutes early when we arrived ahead of schedule. For $45, you get a pot of tea, 1 scone each, petit fours, and four small sandwiches/savory bites. The scones didn't even come with cream or jam. Isn't that standard for any tea service? We were still hungry, so we ordered extra sandwiches. At some places, they replace sandwiches for free, but we weren't sure if there was a charge, so we proceeded anyway. When we did, the waitress didn't mention anything about the extra cost, so we didn't think much of it. When she brought the plate over with 3 small sandwiches, she said it would be $5 extra. We thought, 'That's not bad,' but that's not the case. We were surprised at the end when the bill came to learn that it was $5 per tiny bite. I wish she had been clear about that. Some of the items were enjoyable but not out of this world. The service was painfully slow, that we had to go up to the counter to hand over the payment. Gratuity was also automatically added at 18% for our party of three, and we weren't informed about it beforehand. I've dined at plenty of places where gratuity is included, but transparency is key--it felt sneaky, and I wasn't impressed. Cute concept, but it's not worth the money or the trouble. Sadly, I won't be coming back. read more

Tea Modern Chinese - Tea Rooms Near Me - Orange, California

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Had a great experience here. Cute and simple decor. Friendly service. Happy and bustling ambiance. I can't remember if there was music being played or not. The tea was great, I got the earl grey crème. The finger foods were tasty. read more

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I'm a big fan of afternoon tea and the concept of Asian fusion tea set was really intriguing and that itself did not disappoint! My friends and I got 3 teas to share: dahjeeling, jade, and ti kuan yi to have a variety to try. They each paired well with different bites. I'd look on their website for what hints each tea has! As for the food, it was all solid and delicious! The most standout from the savory was the curry chicken basket. The waffle "basket" was so thin with a perfect crunch to pair with the curry filling. The quiche dumpling was good with the sauce but lacked something on its own, really interesting concept though. The egg sandwich was amazing and the cucumber open face was delicious. For the sweet, the matcha vanilla panacotta was the most unexpected, light and not too sweet. Black sesame cream puff was a next favorite with a nutty flavor. I docked a star because though we started off with good speed of service, granted we came at opening and very few customers, at the end we had to wait a very long time for our card to be taken for payment, and when we tried to give it to the server, she gave us an odd look. Then after giving the card with the check, it took even more time to get it back for us to leave. The party next to us was waiting a while to even get their tea order. Hopefully they have more staff soon or figure out the timing of providing service. If you're on a time crunch, I'd recommend coming when it's less busy. read more

Tea Modern Chinese - Tea Rooms Near Me - Orange, California

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Ambience was 5 stars. The decor and vibe was a hit! Tea was 4 stars. I loved that they brought out test tube samples of all their offered dried tea for you to smell and see. I chose a fruity tea based on this - the bloom tea. It was super aesthetic and beautifully bloomed in the clear tea pot, great for photo ops. Food was 3 stars. Certain pastries and sandwiches were stale...notably the quiche potsticker wrapper was too tough and chewy so we knew it was sitting out for while before being served to us. The bread on the egg salad sando wasn't fluffy or soft but rather stale. The flavor for the matcha panna cotta didn't fit right with me; generally panna cottas are light and milky/creamy but this one didnt taste like much of anything except the matcha on top. Needless to say, it didn't "wow" me. My favorite was the black sesame hazelnut chouz and the egg salad stuffing, aside from the bread it was sandwiched between. Service was 3 stars. This is where I docked off stars for my review. Our server was very much lackluster in enthusiasm and helpfulness. I asked for recommendations for teas and she was unable to respond with her thoughts. Specifically, I asked for a recommendation between two teas and she said responded with something along the lines of "i am not giving you a recommendation because you may blame me if you dont like the choice." To which I responded, it's ok - i'm not holding her liable for anything, i'm just asking for an opinion...she didn't check on us after serving the tea and food but instead another personnel helped us although I still saw her around the restaurant. The ladies bathroom needed toilet paper and toilet cover refills as well as a floor clean up. Since it was towards the end of the lunch hour and they were closing for the dinner service, I figured they'd tidy the room once closed. read more

Tea Modern Chinese - Blooming tea - Tea Rooms Near Me - Orange, California

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Tea Modern Chinese in Orange delivers a fresh take on Cantonese cuisine, balancing tradition with contemporary flair. Our meal featured a mix of bold flavors, delicate textures, and eye-catching presentation. And the interior is SO STUNNING! Everything we ordered was so carefully prepared and served. The execution was solid across the board, and the thoughtful plating added to the experience. Plus, the service was superb! Such thoughtfulness and the timing for when all the dishes came out felt nicely planned. Would definitely return to explore more of the menu! What we ordered: Steak on Crack Honey Walnut Shrimp Hong Kong Steamed Fish Crispy Bird's Nest Noodles Hojicha Tiramisu read more

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What a treat to dine at this new Chinese restaurant that offers afternoon tea and dinner service. We wanted to go for afternoon tea, but the vegan options are very limited. But, we were able to go for dinner when the vegan options are plentiful. I'm always encouraging restaurants to expand their vegan options, so this is a gentle hint to add vegan choices for afternoon tea! The decor and atmosphere of the restaurant is rich, modern, and refined without losing warmth. Excellent service from our server, Cindy, who was cheerful and engaging. (Thank you, Cindy!) The food was excellent! We had a mix of meat eaters, vegetarians, and vegans in our party. Everyone agreed that the dishes were tasty. I put pictures of what we ordered. The food was served hot which is important to us - Chinese people, if I can speak for us, do not like lukewarm food! Each dish had a distinct flavor profile with a nice blend of traditional flavors with modern flairs. I hate going to restaurants where every dish is just the same generic mix of carrots, bell peppers, onions, and water chestnuts (bleh) with different proteins. That was NOT the case here. They serve quality food designed to awaken your senses! Compliments to the chef and kitchen! Also, very reasonably priced in my opinion! Situated in old town Orange, a very cute, quaint locale. It's busy but there is ample parking. Give Tea Modern Chinese a try! I think you'll be delighted! read more

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My friend Ronnie, and I went here to celebrate my birthday, and the care and dignified spectacle of this almost ethereal joint made me feel like precious royalty visiting a neighboring princess's tea party inside her lavish Pagoda. She did not skim on the fancy, she simply made the fancy accessible and cool. Meaning that this place does not offer your grandma's tea service, so leave the string pearls at home, and embrace the effortless chic of a soaring crane flying over the Summer Palace. Finding parking near the joint is a trial of patience, but, it is Old Town Orange, parking scarcity here is as common as lack of dry in an ocean floor. Ronnie and I got there about 10 minutes early, and I came with an almost dead phone. I asked a staff member named Eliza, if I could charge my phone. I had my own charger just for such cases. She led me to the back, and I connected my phone. Then Ronnie and I began the tea experience that this place offers, which arrested my thoughts to the present moments--- everything was just so well curated, I felt like whimsy and spectacle met and gave birth to a quiet experience that was bursting at the seams with joy. The joy could not fully reap the seams because the place was hushed but every person felt the found of happiness, they could not just show like one would at a Rave. As soon as you came in, you could use small paper cups (like the one dentists use to give you mouthwash) to sample the different varieties of teas available. I have no shame when it comes to my experiences, so I prepared to taste every team, and every tea I did taste. Why? Life is to short to not sample every team in front you--- does that qualify as a fortune cookie saying? The worst tea for me, was an Oolong tea known as Orchid. I could taste the soil used to grow the Orchid. Some might say that it was an earthy flavor, I say sure, but the earth has dirt that grows life and beauty, I get it, but still I do not to taste the world's fertilizer. However, in general being able to taste all tea's, in a procession, allowed me to decipher which tea was for me. It also left my mouth feeling all confused but in a good way. Like I had just won a small amount at Bingo, that was big enough to cover a car payment, but was not sure on what the next steps were to claim the prize. I was frazzled but in a good way trying to decide what to do amidst the jumble. The decorations of this place were minimal but glorious. Big fans, adorned the walls. I once saw an anime where a girl used a big fan as a single weapon. She found a way to make a big fan useful. Here they were just decorative. The place also had this picture of an Asian woman in traditional garb, old timey, viewing birds, maybe small parrots? Ronnie could not decipher the facial and posture of the woman as she looked at the birds. If you visit, maybe you can. There were red flowers (and balloon lanterns), wise men statues made out of faux jade, and other instantly recognizable Chinese cultural decorations. I was immersed. I was in the Pagoda. Eliza and Jenny, two staff members, engaged with me with respect and jovially, they were part of the tea party, not servers. For instance, Jenny asked her manager if I could receive a glass of champagne because it was my birthday. That is a new friend helping my tea party glow, not a server brining my tiers. Eliza never made me feel like a bother, and she educated me on what I ate and the history of the place. They should both be proud of their work and presence. The decorations, Jenny and Eliza and the rest of the crew, and even the guests with their fashion and own tea party stories made me feel transported into that princess Pagoda I mention above. That is why I hated when an Amazon delivery guy entered to give a package. I know he was doing his gig, but still he shattered the illusion that I was being hugged by a red dragon within the Forbidden City. Yeah the tea made me feel that way. I got a crisp apple one, not any other kind. The tea food was grandiose. It was dainty, pretty, and delicious. The savory items beat the sweetness ones easily. They had a chicken salad canasta. The vessel had a crunch crust, kind of like a savory waffle cracker. The biscuit with whipped butter, and strawberry jam was a grand delight. I loved that the strawberry jam came in a small, individual jar, just for me! As I was eating the delights in tiers, I was like I am not going to be full. I ordered a second batch of the biscuits, the Curry Chicken basket, and the vegetable wonton that tasted a lot like sweet potato. Truth be told, the tea and finger foods were all so good, but, adornments to the whole experience. I guess, I am trying to say that one goes here for a moment of relaxation and stimulation, not for the food. But the food, certainly helps. I would strain myself to find a fault in the experience, so I have no negative tea to spill! I cannot wait to go again. At 45 dollars I felt like the value favored me! read more

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Came with my bookclub for tea today. I had high expectations based on the reviews and was excited to try a tea with some Asian twist. I was expecting the sweets that accompany the savory foods to be geared to more Asian style and the teas to be what I'm used to at home since I have a lot of those flavors. Boy was I wrong. We had one person in our party with dietary restrictions and cannot have dairy. We called and emailed before making a reservation to make sure they can adjust the tea menu or substitute other items for her. When we asked they had no idea what we were talking about. It took a lot of back and forth checking with the kitchen to find out what she can and cannot eat. At the end we asked if they can substitute some of the vegetable pot stickers they have on their regular menu. I didn't take a picture but she got four plain vegetable pot sticker, an egg sandwich and a cucumber bread. Compared to everything we got, it was sad. Since there was dairy in all the desserts she couldn't eat those. But at least maybe give her more pot sticker or something else. As for the rest of us, the food and tea were lacking in so many ways. The cucumber bread had no flavor, the scone was so small and we got one plate of butter and ham for a table of six. The desserts were soooooo sweet. Like immediate diabetes sweet. I couldn't finish the raspberry or the lemon one. The tea was just sad. I got the ti kuan yi and tried the other teas as well. None of them had flavor even though there is a huge teabag. It was like drinking warm water which was sad. There was no aroma that came off the teas or flavor. As far as the service, we had to keep asking for sugar and cream. The waitress had mentioned if we don't like the tea they charge $5 to change to a different one but she never asked after if we liked the teas. Lastly there is only one restroom so don't wait until you need to go just in case it's occupied. It was also out of toilet paper and toilet seat cover and I had to tell the workers to refill it. Good thing I always have my own tissues for just this reason. After tax and tip we paid $58 each. Am I still hungry? Yes. Would I go back again? Not for the tea service. Maybe to try the food on the menu but this tea service was a rip off. read more

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I didn't know what to expect when walking in as the restaurant comes off more high-end and very modern. After ordering our food and a tea, we were happy to see when it came out and it was all really yummy! Everything was well portioned as a shared dish, even with two people we still took home some leftovers. Our waiter was also extremely polite and friendly, helping us look over the menu and make recommendations. read more

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This place is a Chinese Modern restaurant, and the food is pretty delicious! Everything was a solid dish, but the wagyu potstickers and the yuza tart was my personal favorite. The ambience is nice, and the service was amazing. Our server was Bean, who was super attentive and very friendly. This OC area is also so nice, with a cute cozy vibe. (8/10 recommend) read more

Tea Modern Chinese - Tea Rooms Near Me - Orange, California

Was able to come back for afternoon tea and my friend and I really loved it! I think the price is pretty reasonable for tea. There are some standard items on the menu you'd normally associate with high tea and a few Asian inspired items, which I really loved. All the savory options were great but I really loved the chicken curry savory. For the sweets the sesame and matcha panna cotta dessert stood out for me and loved the scone. The other two desserts were good but too sweet for me. The tea selections were great. Loved my tie kuan yi oolong. They have smelling samples to help you choose the tea you want and that was a nice touch. They were about 10 minutes late in seating us but once we were seated service was friendly and attentive. Would absolutely go back and do this tea again! read more

Tea Modern Chinese - Tea Rooms Near Me - Orange, California

Randomly saw an IG Reel about this tea spot and had to make the trek out to try it with my tea club ladies! It's a set menu of assorted bites and each person gets a pot of tea for $45 per person. Every little bite was delicious but my favorites were the cucumber sandwich (had a nice salted butter base) and the sesame Nutella cream puff (try the grey stuff, it's delicious!). The service was super friendly and attentive. You could tell the ladies enjoy working here and talking about the different teas with customers . read more

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Come on the weekends to enjoy the duck. The Peking was juicy and tenders the skin was not greasy! Came with pancakes and pickles. I love it a lot. I also tried the black pepper beef. The beef pieces were soft and tender. I also got the shrimp fried. Everything tasted so good with steamed rice. I also got their steamed fish. My whole family loved it. Try their wine. Free parking on the back. - Peking duck - Black pepper filet - Hong Kong style steamed fish - Honey walnut shrimp - Yuzu meringue tart - Diet Coke - 2020 mason Chardonnay Napa valley read more

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**Afternoon Tea Review** The menu is accessible on their website. My favorite savory item was the curry chicken salad basket. I loved the japanese curry flavor paired with the waffle basket. Other items were standard for afternoon tea, like egg salad and cucumber sandwich. I thought the quiche dumpling was innovative, but not my cup of tea. It is an egg filing in dumpling wrapper. I would like to see some variety in filling options, since the egg seems repetitive. The egg salad and cucumber sandwich tastes exactly how you think, no additional asian flavor that stands out. For an asian or asian inspired establishment, the sweets are too sweet. However, I loved the options of asian fusion flavors. I think the sweetest was the yuzu meringue tart and raspberry lychee mousse and least sweet was panna cotta. The best dessert was the raspberry lychee mousse. The black sesame hazelnut choux was one of kind, it reminded me of a black sesame ferrero rocher. Despite it being really popular and busy, the setting was very beautiful and calm. I think our service was adequate. Looks like afternoon tea service is currently only served indoors, but I did notice their patio. Their bathroom has a code too, ask the host for it. Orange Circle is always busy on Sundays, so I would allow extra time to find street parking. Overally, I would return for a special occasions only. Since the total ends up being $65/person with tax and gratuity included for two people. read more

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This place seemed very promising through the photos and website so I reserved a spot through the Resy app on the website. I very much was looking forward to going here with one of my best friends but we were very disappointed. When we checked in they gave us a wonky table that didn't stop moving next to the entrance. I kept getting hit by customers bags as they left. I asked the waitress, Alyssa who was incredibly kind to please move us to a booth that I had reserved. She said that it didn't say that on her end which I am assuming was not the Resy app but just the restaurants website. I had to pull out my phone and show her where it said that I had indeed payed and reserved for a booth. She went to ask about that and came back to tell us that no booths were available anymore but went ahead and moved us to another table. The food wasn't anything impressive. You could honestly microwave better small bites from Trader Joe's frozen aisle. The decor was cute but the fake flowers at the window are loosing their color due to sun exposure so they look dirty and dusty. I think that the table next to the entrance could be tossed and replaced with a little waiting area or bench for customers that are waiting to be seated. There was a mother with a baby who was standing there for some time waiting to be seated and another patron walked in with friends who was never attended and just left. Maybe a hostess would help this place run a little better? I don't think the waitresses should be doing all the front end work. Overall a very uncomfortable experience which is unfortunate since I drove to this place from Long Beach. Overpriced and falling apart, try the tea shop at the corner of the street instead or just don't book at all. read more

I have been to dinner and afternoon tea service so I can touch upon both experiences. Afternoon tea: Right when my friend and I sat down, I informed the server that the rest of my group were looking for parking so that's why they weren't there yet (parking is a pain to find so keep that in mind). The server understood but not even 10 minutes later, she comes back and tells us rudely "you guys need to order your teas now." I asked her, is there a time limit because we haven't decided yet? She was like no there is no but you NEED to order your tea now. I'm like okay then....her attitude really put me off. The service overall was strange. We were pretty much left alone the rest of the time. Why be so pushy in the beginning but not check up afterwards? The tea itself was fine. The savory selections tasted better than the sweeter pastries in my opinion. I had dinner serve the night before I went to afternoon tea (yes I went two days in a row). The server that night was friendlier than the one from afternoon tea. The food was a bit saltier for my liking. I felt like the dishes were almost there but didn't achieve the umami that I was hoping for in a familiar Chinese dish. I must say, whoever I spoke to via emails has been very kind and friendly so I must give kudos to that. read more

Tea Modern Chinese - Tea Rooms Near Me - Orange, California

My husband drove us all the way from WLA for this delicious experience. There's a table set up at the front with teas to sample. My husband and I had fun trying multiple. They all smell great too! He chose the blooming tea, while I had the dragon well (acorn squash, hay, pistachio). It's a pre-fixe menu with 5 savory items (mushroom potsticker, egg salad sando, curry chicken basket, roasted vegetable wonton, cucumber sandwich) and 4 sweet items (brown sugar scone, black sesame hazelnut choux, raspberry lychee mousse, hojicha bar). Absolutely everything was scrumptious but the roasted veggie wonton and the curry chicken basket really stood out to me. The black sesame hazelnut choux was also one of my favorites! The staff was super friendly and attentive. Aesthetically, the place is very simple and clean. Parking is a little tricky so give yourself a little extra time to find a spot. Well worth the drive, would 100% do this again. read more

My friend and I heard about this place, so we decided to try them out. The place is pleasant and cozy. You could watch them putting the items together. We went at 10 am when they open to avoid the wait. Their reservation were full for the week. They have a fixed price menu for their Afternoon TEA menu. It is $45/pp. You get one pot of tea of your choosing, along with 4 savory finger food items and 4 dessert items. The food is average. My favorite was the Black Sesame Hazelnut Choux. The service was good. Not sure it's worth $45/pp. read more

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So happy a new Chinese place opened in Orange. It took over the old chicken sandwich and ca dumplings. It's a more high end restaurant now...we went to check out their high tea and were pleasantly surprised by the food and service. For 45 dollars, you got 4 savory and 4 sweet treats plus an unlimited refillable pot of tea of your choice. They also have champagne and mimosa as add ons. I love the curry chicken waffle siu mai and the sesame cream puffs. Our waitress was very sweet and attentive. The place is cozy and clean...parking could be challenging especially during weekends, they have a parking lot at the back, they also have few other public parking lots and street parkings all around old town. Suggest to make time for parking and a little short walk. Reservation is highly recommended as this place gets very busy for high tea. read more

Tea Modern Chinese - Tea Rooms Near Me - Orange, California

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One of the best afternoon tea i have been to! I almost wanted to gatekeep. Place just opened. Hard to make reservations for afternoon tea since all booked during this past weekend. I attempted to call on the day before but the phone was busy. I was able to do a walk-in and they were barely able to accommodate a party of 3 people walk-in since they were full. Soo happy we were able to get in last minute. Service was good. They refilled the hot water 3x for tea. Each person was $45 and each gets their own tea pot with their choice of tea. If you have dietary restrictions, they are able to switch the item out for another on the list. Ex. I was able to switch out the egg sandwich to the curry chicken (my favorite). It was pretty filling for brunch. Free street parking and parking lot. Arrive early! read more

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Chinese food with a modern flair! This new Chinese restaurant opened and completely redesigned the restaurant interiors. I love the brick face architecture which they kept because it is Old Towne Orange's historic building. The tables have a white marble design to them. The dining chairs are wooden Vineyard chairs. Each table has a place setting with gold flatware, and vintage glass water goblet, nice disposable chopsticks, and the rest were the normal essentials. Michael was our server and he was great! He took our order which was a bottle of rose, Stir Fry Broccolini and Radish, Orange Chicken, and Honey Walnut Shrimp. He was observant and realized I was a Yelper. He ended up comping us dessert -- Raspberry Matcha Mousse. He was great at catching when our water or wine glass was running low. Out of the three dishes -- they were all good and each had its own different flavor. I loved the garlic miso in the Broccolini. Who knew radishes would pair well with them!? The Honey Walnut Shrimp was delicious with its creamy sauce of green onion and (I presume) honey and mayo. So not your traditional Honey Walnut Shrimp. And the size of the shrimp were huge! I do wish it came with (6) pieces instead of (5) pieces though. Odd numbers suck when it comes to sharing plates. Flavor wise -- my favorite was the Orange Chicken! It was bomb.com! I love the garnish of long strings of chili pepper. But the sauce for this Orange Chicken definitely does not taste like the norm... there was an addition to it that I just can't figure out. My friend said it may have been Hoison sauce...? Anyway!! The food was yum and I loved the plating. Overall, it was a nice dinner and definitely elevated / upscale Chinese dining. Costs for the dishes are definitely higher than old mom-n-pop shop Chinese restaurants. It is definitely not an everyday Chinese spot, but great for special occasions. Speaking of special occasions -- I can definitely imagine myself planning a small birthday dinner there! read more

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Came here for Afternoon Tea on Sunday and it wasn't busy but online reservations are recommended. I also would recommend expecting Chinese-inspired, but mostly American fusion afternoon tea rather than an authentic Chinese afternoon tea. The food was more generic Asian than actual Chinese food like potstickers and chicken curry. They had the usual small sandwiches and small pastries. Unfortunately, their matcha panna cotta was weak and their choux pastries were definitely made a few days ago. Their tea selection was okay but I didn't see anything that was Chinese specific. For the price of $45/person, it's a good deal for afternoon tea as many other places charge more. However, it wasn't particularly filling. But the inside decorations were very cute and you can find street parking nearby. The staff was very nice and attentive. read more

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4.5 rounding it up to 5 stars This place adds a unique Asian twist to the traditional afternoon tea experience, which piqued our interest. I opted for the Pacific Coast Mint tea to pair with my Philz Philtered Soul coffee I already had in hand. My friends chose Ti Kuan Yi and Sencha teas, each savoring their own unique flavors. The tiered trays were as visually stunning as they were enticing. The top tier featured savory yumminess: quiche potstickers, egg salad sandos, curry chicken puffs, and cucumber toasts. My favorite was the curry chicken puff--the combination of textures made every bite interesting and satisfying. On the other hand, the quiche potstickers were my least favorite. It was so bland I found myself wishing I had my bottle of Tapatío on hand to spice it up. The bottom tier, filled with sweets, included brown sugar scones, black sesame hazelnut choux, yuzu meringue tarts, raspberry lychee mousse, and matcha panna cotta. While beautifully crafted, I wasn't too captivated--I've always been more of a savory person. I did enjoy the brown sugar scones and black sesame hazelnut choux. I found the raspberry lychee mousse a bit too sweet for me. I would love to see more savory items or have a separate menu for it. The service was fantastic and they did a great job explaining the different types of teas and what was on each tier. Overall, it was a fun and yummy experience. read more

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This is a review for their afternoon tea. We came in as a big party so I really appreciate the staff's efficiency and attentiveness. They were friendly and accomodating and answered all our questions. The setting is attractive and clean. They have a decent tea selection and each person gets their own pot. I opted for the masala chai. It is accompanied with brown sugar scones, a selection of savories, and dessert. It was 45$ per person which is quite reasonable. Masala chai- It was rich and flavorful, brought out by sugar and milk. They didn't have milk provided initially, so make sure to ask when trying this one since you need it to enhance the flavor. Brown sugar scone- I enjoyed this! The scone was soft, fluffy, and nicely browned. It was wonderfully enhanced with butter. I do wish they had cream to go with it. Make sure to save the top with the brown sugar glaze for last, you'll be left with a sweet memory! Savories- These were a little disappointing. While they did present us with a lovely variety, the bread on the sandwiches were rather dry, as if they've been left out too long. The quiche dumpling was creative, but it would have been best served warm. The curry puff was delicious though, and I wish I could have had seconds! I would definitely recommend saving this for last. Sweets- I do have a massive sweet tooth so I had fun with these. The matcha mousse was creamy and light, a lovely introduction to the rest of the treats. The nutella cream puff with sesame cream was rich and delicious. The raspberry mousse was divine and bursting with fruity flavor. The lemon meringue tart was perfectly done with a crisp base, tart but sweet filling, and finished off with delightful meringue. Overall I had a lovely time and it was a good for what we paid for, but improvements could be made with some of the items. read more

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Overall, the tea service was fine, but there is definitely room for improvement. There is a tea testing area near the entrance, which I thought was a nice touch. Most places do not offer this and you just have to hope for the best based on the tea description. As for the food (both sweets and savory), it is was a hit or miss based on preference. For example, on the savory side, I normally really like the cucumber sandwich at tea services, but this one was a bit pickle-like which did not give the usual refreshing taste as other places. The curry chicken was very flavorful while the egg salad was fairly dry/bland. As for the sweets side, the hojicha bar was very rich, but I much preferred the lightness of the lychee raspberry mousse. On a side note, they try to accommodate for allergies, but it is more to replace things with extras of stuff you can have. Anyone allergic to sesame, be warned they fry with sesame oil. As for birthday treats, they only give a glass of champagne if you want the alcohol (otherwise, nothing special). Lastly, parking in that area is horrendous, so plan accordingly. I may want to go back to try their lunch menu, but I would be on the fence to return for tea service. Reserving the additional stars for next time. read more

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Tea Modern Chinese is a new restaurant in Orange. The interior is really pretty and clean. I'm glad I came by because I was really impressed with the food and how everything was so detailed and elevated. Tea Modern Chinese does a great job incorporating Chinese flavors while having a modern twist to the dishes. Like the BBQ spare ribs used a chrysanthemum glaze in which I haven't seen or tried before. I also recommend trying the roasted duck potstickers because not often would you see duck as an option for potstickers! For dessert, I had the Hojicha Tiramisu, it's very unique in my opinion. The bottom is actually a Chinese doughnut or youtiao with sugar, which reminded me of a churro but different. I never had Chinese doughnut incorporated as a dessert before so I was really surprised how well it worked out, super fluffy and soft. The hojicha with the ice cream was the perfect balance! During the weekends, there's an option for afternoon tea, which I think is such a cute idea and a great place for friends to gather for tea and some treats. The service is exceptional! I love how the server explained each dish to my party when the food was brought out and consistently checked on us to see if we needed anything. If you're into aesthetics, great food and amazing service, this spot is for you! read more

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I love afternoon tea and I think this place is a great option on a less busy day. This quaint and whimsical room is tucked away in downtown orange so there's many places to shop and explore after but might feel too crowded and loud on a fully booked day. I loved how all the tea was hot and out and ready for us to sample to see what we liked best. The hostess and hosts were friendly to us and happily answered any questions we had. Each person gets a whole pot of tea of whatever flavor they fancy and their set comes with a few savory bites and some not too sweet desserts. I really enjoyed the darjeeling tea, liquid jade tea, curry chicken basket and raspberry lychee mousse. The other bites were just okay for me. Overall, cute and casual place for some afternoon tea and yummy light bites. Other notes: busy street parking or park in the free parking structure and walk over, also make your reservation ahead! read more

I was excited to discover this new place which offers a unique Asian twist on afternoon tea. The place itself looks modern and casual but has some Asian decor. The service was good but being newly opened, they seemed like they're still figuring out their groove. I was pleased their teas were loose leaf which they put into satchels. (Too many afternoon tea services use tea bags.) I got the lavender camomile and thought it was light and enjoyable. I tried my friends choice, passion fruit jasmine, and thought that was good as well, flavorful. I really loved the curry chicken basket, the black sesame, panna cotta, and scone. The cucumber sandwich and egg were as expected, good but nothing special. The yuzu tart and raspberry mousse were both way too sweet for me. I generally don't like sweets at all. The quiche dumpling was creative but not very good because it was cold and hard on the outside. I think for the price of $45, it's a very good value and worth trying. read more

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This afternoon tea experience was definitely unique. I think the Chinese twist on an English afternoon tea was creative. I liked some items and did not care for some items. The menu is set - the only thing you choose is your tea. We had the Ti Kuan Yi and the Earl Grey Creme. Both were good, but I preferred the Earl Grey. My favorite food item was the Curry Chicken Basket. It was very flavorful, well seasoned, and had a nice crunch. The egg salad sando was solid and classic. The chives gave it a nice freshness. And the matcha panna cotta was good. It was not too sweet and had a nice texture, though I wish there was more matcha flavor. I did not like the quiche potsticker. I appreciated the creativity and attempt at an Asian fusion item, but it did not work for me. Looking at it, you just kinda expect it to taste like a dumpling. But when you bite it, it's just mushroomy tasting egg, which is a let down. I did not taste any lychee in the mousse as the raspberry was overpowering. The yuzu merengue tart was too tart and sweet for me, and I did not taste any yuzu. The cucumber sandwich could have used more cream cheese and less salt. I thought the black sesame hazelnut choux was good. The black sesame flavor followed by the hazelnut was very fun - I just thought it could have been more fresh. Also, I liked the brown sugar scone, but I have a sweet tooth. So others may disagree. I kinda wish it came with clotted cream instead of butter though. Overall, the tea experience was still cute and enjoyable. The service was very friendly and attentive. Afternoon tea is always a vibe, and at the very least I liked that this place was trying to do something different. It's a good idea, but I think that certain things need polishing. read more

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Very cute spot for high tea. I like that there is a great selection of savory and sweet items. Service is great and you can test all the teas before choosing what to order. read more

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I haven't had afternoon tea in awhile so I was curious to try an Asian flavored take on afternoon tea. This place hasn't been opened too long yet so I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt. The staff was friendly and accommodating as we had a rather large party. The table was nicely set-up and tableware was nice. The value was good for the amount of food. Presentation was excellent. You received 4 savory treats, 5 sweet treats and a pot of tea. There was a large variety of teas (green, black, oolong) to choose from and they even had caffeine free flavors. Everything is loose leaf and they fill a paper sachet to put in the tea pot. I thought the desserts were executed very well and the flavors were perfectly matched to the dessert. My favorite was the black sesame cream puff. I could eat the sesame cream all day. The Raspberry mousse and Yuzu tart were too sweet to my liking but still tasty. They would be even more elevated if there was a tangy/tart flavor paired with it. The savory treats could be executed much better. The egg salad sando had dried out and looked like it was sitting there for many hours. The white bread was very dry and I'm used to the Japanese shokupan bread or even Wonder bread texture. The quiche potsticker was not for me. While I like the unique creativity to this, I don't like my potstickers cold. If it was freshly fried and hot with some melted cheese and egg inside, it would be a home run for me. The cucumber toast was bland, perhaps flavored cream cheese would be a better option than butter. The only savory treat I enjoyed was the curry chicken salad puff. The environment was nice, the parking is easy (street parking or the lot in back). I would come back to try the entrees but probably not for afternoon tea unless I could just get the desserts. read more

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Came here with a date for dinner and we left fully happy and satisfied all around. Food: It looks like their dinner menu is run by Star Leaf and is mostly Thai cuisine. We got: Shrimp Crackers (complimentary!) - crispy and light, well seasoned, got that kind of crunch that will have you reaching back in the basket for more 12hr Braised Angus Short Ribs - melts in your mouth, rich and savory, the green curry sauce is just the right amount of tangy, a bit pricey but so delicious Golden Yellow Curry with Soft-shell Crab - smooth and umami, the soft-shell crab was the star of the show, crispy and fragrant, pairs well with the curry Beef Pad-Thai - Very fragrant but not too oily, very reasonably priced, and even more so if you don't add protein Thai Street Style Fried Tofu - light and crispy on the outside, soft/silken on the inside, the dipping sauce was well seasoned, slightly better than your run-of-the-mill fried tofu Mango Sticky Rice - sweet and chewy, warms the soul, the mangos were a bit unripe that day but the owner (I think) actually came up to our table and personally apologized, not that we were going to complain anyway Service: Pretty sure it was owner of the restaurant on the floor that night. She made sure we had a great time, and she and other wait staff came by often to fill our waters and make sure we were having a good time. And as a heads up for future diners, this place is part of the Resy program, meaning anyone with Amex Gold/Platinum can take advantage of their dining credits here! read more

Tea Modern Chinese - front to back: thai street style fried tofu, golden yellow curry with soft shell crab, beef pad thai, 12hr braised angus short ribs - Tea Rooms Near Me - Orange, California

I love the asian twist on british afternoon tea! Some of the small bites and desserts could have tasted better (had more flavor) but great experience overall! read more

Tea Modern Chinese - Tea Rooms Near Me - Orange, California

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I loved tea here at Tea Modern Chinese. Such a fun and unique tea-time for a special afternoon. I arrived a bit early, which meant I got to try all of the tea they had on their tea tasting bar. I loved this as I quickly learned that the tea I would have ordered and the tea I ended up getting were two very different things. While I typically aim for something a bit fruity (think Passionfruit jasmine) I learned that I much preferred an Oolong tea like Orchid or the Iron Goddess. The tea service consisted of a pot of tea alongside a beautiful arrangement of savories and sweets. On our menu for savory was a mushroom potsticker, a curry chicken sandwich, a roasted veggie wonton and a cucumber sandwich. I loved everything except the cucumber sandwich which I found a bit bland when paired with the interesting flavors that came in the other items. On the menu for the sweet was a brown sugar scone, a black sesame hazelnut choux, a raspberry lychee mousse and a hojicha bar. The standout for me was the scone because who doesn't love a scone with a bit of clotted cream and strawberry jam and then the Raspberry lychee mousse (this was just perfection). All was good, but those were the best, imho. Service was utterly perfect. The gentleman that helped us refilled my water before I got low and was so attentive to us. I can't wait to come back! read more

Update: never actually got a response when they asked me to follow up with them First time here, but questioning if this place is under new management based on previous reviews. Came in at around 5:45pm. This is a review for their SE Asian dinner menu that looked promising based on their social media pictures. I would implore prospective diners to read this before trying their dinner service. This may have been my worst dining experience in a long time. Service: While friendly, the service was slow and this was acknowledged by at least 2 of the 3 waitresses as we left without me even bringing it up. A third waitress appeared to give preferential treatment to one table (older customers?) and gave complimentary bread while tables needed cleaning and even our neighboring customer was waiting forever to place an order. Their afternoon tea service was wrapping up when we entered, but they probably need to close it an hour earlier or take a break before dinner service to clean up. I feel like it's strange to be having this service, when you can see and hear a chef loudly handling a wok in the background. More importantly, you can't be wasting time cleaning and chatting with customers having the tea service when dinner is starting. The food was simply unacceptable and is the main catalyst for me to write this review. None of the items ordered below came with 100% of what was stated on the menu and did not match their instagram pictures. It looks like whoever conceived of the menu was not the same person who cooked it, or at the very least finished their training. Thai Fried Seafood Spring Rolls: Menu says pork included, it was not. It simply had shrimp paste with a side of straight up sriracha sauce. Lime Steamed Chilean Sea Bass: This dish left us the most baffled. We expected a hot dish, but received a lukewarm fish with crunchy vermicelli (as in not fully cooked) and mushrooms (not on the menu). Worst of all, it was drenched in a sauce that tried to be SE Asian, but seemed more like a salsa. A cold salsa all over the lukewarm fish. Sidenote: I saw the table with the old customers receive a steaming hot fish as we left. 12 hr Braised Angus Short Ribs: No curry sauce as the menu said. The sauce given, which was actually first forgotten, was the exact same sauce/salsa as the one for the sea bass. There was also no banana leaf and no oyster mushrooms. The short ribs were clearly not braised for 12 hours and, if they were, they were crisped way too hard. Pineapple Fried Rice: Missing grated parmesan cheese, shrimp, calamari, and eggs. The chicken we added was of inferior quality. This was the most egregious one that didn't match the menu or the social media picture. We finally realized what was going on with the food at this point. Hopefully this review can be taken constructively, and things change for the better here. Given what we paid, this experience was just the worst. read more

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Super cute high tea spot nestled in the orange circle. Those of us who are familiar with the orange circle know two things: 1. It's a cute spot with a plethora of amazing restaurants and 2. Parking can be an absolute nightmare. If you're lucky, you'll find street parking or an open spot at a parking lot but I always recommend getting there at least 40 mins before your reservation to accommodate for parking. Tea modern Chinese is a super aesthetic, cozy spot. I love the service and how attentive our server was. What stands out about this spot is that they have a table of tea samples in front so you can try each flavor before committing to your full pot! The savory items were okay to me, but the sweets are where they stand out. The raspberry lychee morsel was heavenly! It also is more adorable than other high tea spots. At the time of this review, it was $45 per person which includes a big pot of tea (free hot water refills), savory pieces, and sweets! I'd definitely come back :) Ps: if you can't finish your tea, ask for a to-go cup! read more

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The tea had great savory bites, probably better than any other tea in OC, but the tea all tasted like bland leaf water except for the earl grey creme which had a nice vanilla flavor. The sweets were solid but not memorable. read more

I have been to multiple afternoon tea around SoCal and internationally. This is one of my favorite one because it is geared towards a slight Asian palette. The price is reasonable. The last two places I went were in London and San Juan Capistrano, so this is very, very reasonable. The service and ambiance is good. The tea is at front for tasting so you can get an idea before you make your one pot per person choice. You have 90-minute for your session so make sure you party comes on time. The rest of my party arrived 30 mins after but 60 minutes was enough. I'll return with a larger party next time! read more

Tea Modern Chinese - Tea Rooms Near Me - Orange, California

New Modern Chinese place to try! Interior is elegant and upscale. Food is flavorful and new twist of modern style. For appetizers, we ordered the hot and soup soup, Szechuan mushroom salad, roast duck potstickers, and black truffle scallion pancake. The Szechuan mushroom salad is my favorite! The spice is flavorful. For main, we ordered the honey walnut shrimp, the sauce is so creamy and mixed well with rice. Shrimp is huge! The steak on crack also pour with soy and xo sauce. The ting- lung long beans is a good veggie choice to share. I'm glad to try the new menu item - duck house special fried rice, the duck is so tender! Service is very attentive and friendly, he change our plates multiple times and refilled our water. Recommend this place! read more

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