This new-ish tea shop recently replaced the old Yifang location and it came with a makeover! The interior features a cherry blossom theme and they also offer adorable merchandise like greeting cards and little trinkets.
I've visited twice so far and both times, I was able to order right away at one of their two kiosks. I can imagine kids hanging out here on weekdays after the nearby high school is dismissed, but when I went in the early afternoon and on the weekend, it was a quick stop in and out. I've really only interacted with the one employee at the counter who makes the drinks, but he was welcoming and helpful, answering a couple questions I had with a smile.
+ HOUSE SPECIAL MILK TEA ($6.75): The menu describes this as having "special sweetener and rich tea taste", made with black tea, condensed milk and evaporated milk. The employee said most people will order it with boba or lychee jelly, but I opted for it without toppings and at 25% sweetness. For me, the 25% was just right, and I don't think I could tolerate a higher level. I believe this is their version of a Hong Kong Style milk tea and while the flavor was fine, the tea seemed diluted and didn't have that richness as advertised.
+ PINEAPPLE GREEN TEA ($5.55 special* + $1.00 cheese foam): This was quite refreshing and crisp, but even at just 25% sweetness, it was on the sugary side, considering it also had pineapple pulp on the bottom, so the natural sweetness of the fruit came though. Again, the tea flavor was weaker than I would have liked, but very pineapple-forward. I enjoyed their cheese foam which was velvety, balanced between milky and salty notes, and had a flavor similar to marshmallow.
All toppings (boba, sago, pudding, etc.) are $1.00 which is on the steeper side compared to other tea shops. Don't forget to sign up for their rewards program where you can earn "bubbles" for each drink purchased. Keep in mind that it doesn't automatically track when you enter your phone number... you actually need to take an extra step to opt in and sign up.
*They have monthly specials where a couple drinks from their existing menu are offered at 15% off, like the Pineapple Green Tea I got at the discounted price.
I am up for trying Tea Talk again, but with hopes that I'll be able to actually taste more of the tea next time. 3.25 stars. read more