Velvet Monkey Tea

While passing through McMinnville on a recent trip, I stopped for tea at Velvet Monkey.  Original owner, Salem Sharfeddin opened the tea room in 2010 and sold his tea business to longtime Velvet Monkey regulars, Richard and Serengeti, when he retired in 2021.

The tea room is located in the historic Wright Building (1893) in downtown McMinnville and can be accessed by stairs on the corner of NE Davis Street and NE 3rd Street or inside the home goods store, La Bella Casa.

The tea room is cozy and well-lit with plentiful table seating, a comfortable sofa, and books to read during your visit.

Velvet Monkey has over 200 loose leaf teas to choose from, including many house blends.  Tea can be purchased by the ounce or brewed to enjoy in-house and to-go.  

In addition to tea, they also offer an impressive selection of teaware and chocolates, as well as bubble tea and infused lemonade.

For this visit, I warmed up from the cold weather with a pot of Chocolate Peppermint black tea, dark chocolate maple and salted caramel truffles, and some light-hearted Moomin adventures.  

Address:

216 NE Davis Street, McMinnville, Oregon

Hours:

Tuesday-Saturday 10:00am - 5:00pm

Closed Sunday & Monday

Skywater Tea House

While in town for Tea Fest PDX, we had afternoon tea at Skywater Tea House.  Owners Hans Ramos and Neil Thompson opened the doors to the afternoon tea room in downtown Hillsboro in August 2022, shortly after opening Skywater Fine Wines.

 

Inside the entrance, tea and teaware are on display and available for purchase.

The dining area is well-lit with plentiful seating.  Tables are spaced well to prevent a sense of crowding when seats are filled, as most were shortly after our arrival.

Our table setting was lovely with matching dinnerware, tea cups, and saucers.  Even the wainscoting seemed to be a part of the table display.

The tea menu includes white, green, oolong, black, and puerh teas, flavored blends, chai, and tisanes.  Each guest receives their own pot of tea.

My tea selection for this visit was an earthy Shu-cha Pu-erh and the meal began with a refreshing Golden Pomelo Vanilla Panna Cotta.  Everything was delicious and the service was excellent.  I'm looking forward to a return visit!

Online reservations are required in advance.  Note that they do not offer alternatives for dietary restrictions with the exception of vegetarian and pescatarian diets which can be accommodated with advance notice.

Address:
1601B SE River Rd, Hillsboro, Oregon

Hours:
Thursday-Sunday 11:00am to 2:30pm
Closed Monday-Wednesday

Ayuchaya Hiranoya

While walking back to Arashiyama after visiting Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple, I stopped for tea at the historic Ayuchaya Hiranoya (平野屋). The restaurant and teahouse is located near the north end of the machiya-lined Saga Toriimoto Preserved Street in Kyoto's Sagano district near Arashiyama, next to the first torii gate on the ancient pilgrimage route leading up to Atago Shrine on Mount Atago.

The teahouse was built 400 years ago at the beginning of the Edo period and most of the building is original with the newest tatami room dating back to the first half of the 19th century.  The roof is moss-covered thatch and the interior features warmly lit tatami rooms.  To the front is the teahouse and the kaiseki (multi-course meals using seasonal ingredients) restaurant is located in the back. 

Hiranoya started out as an ayu (sweetfish) wholesaler and later began serving dishes with ayu as the main ingredient.  In addition to ayu, Hiranoya also specializes in shinko, a type of dango (rice flour dumpling) specific to the location that is twisted and steamed over a wood fire then topped with kinako (roasted soybean flour) and kuromitsu (Japanese black sugar syrup).  The twisted shape of the shinko is said to resemble the winding path leading up Mount Atago and it is a popular treat for visitors on pilgrimage to Atago Shrine.  The practice of making shinko had almost been abandoned until the current 14th generation proprietress brought it back.

Everything Hiranoya serves is made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients and the menu changes with the seasons. The sweet sets are also seasonal and served with your choice of matcha or amazake.  Shinko is available in spring, summer, and autumn.  Sakura mochi in two different flavors, including one filled with miso paste, is available in spring.  Yuzu shigure is available in winter.  In addition to kaiseki and sweets, the menu also includes dishes made with ayu, matsutake, and wild vegetables.

The weather was lovely on the day of my visit and I was seated on a bench outside where I could rest and enjoy the scenery.  Sakurayu (cherry blossom tea), was served as soon as I was seated.  

For this visit, I ordered the matcha and shinko set. The tea bowl the matcha was served in had a seasonally appropriate autumn leaf motif.  The shinko had matcha, cinnamon, and plain flavors and was served with generous toppings and a freshly picked stem to use as a pick.  

Service was thoughtful and welcoming and everything was delicious!

Address:
京都市右京区嵯峨鳥居本仙翁町16
Kyoto, Ukyo Ward, Sagatoriimoto Sennocho, １６

Hours:

11:30am to 5:00pm Monday-Friday

11:30am to 9:00pm Saturday-Sunday

Check the news page on the official website for planned closures.

Yojiya Cafe

In autumn 2024 I wrapped up a daytrip to Kyoto's Arashiyama district with a visit to Yojiya Cafe/よーじや.  The tea room is located on the shop-lined road leading toward Togetsukyo Bridge, a brief 10-minute walk from both Arashiyama and Sagano-Arashiyama Stations.

The cafe is located inside a refurbished machiya.  Next to the cafe is Yojiya's retail shop where you can find skin care and cosmetic supplies, including their famous oil blotting papers.  

I arrived on a weekend when the sidewalks and businesses were overflowing with tourists, so it was no surprise that I had to take a number and wait outside.  There is a fair amount of comfortable outdoor seating under trees that were just beginning to change into their autumn colors, so I was happy to rest after a long day of walking.  As it turns out, quite a few people left within minutes of receiving a number, so the wait wasn't as long as expected.  

The cafe interior is brightly lit with high ceilings, giving the sense of additional space and a tables toward the back have a nice view of a garden.

The menu includes tea and coffee, parfaits, set meals, cakes and other sweets.  In addition, there is usually a range of limited-time seasonal options such as the autumn-specific chestnut parfait.  Many of the menu items feature the charming Yojiya logo that has been the literal face of the brand since 1965.

For this visit, I ordered a Matcha Cappuccino and Hojicha Parfait, both of which were delicious.  My cup of water was also refreshed frequently, which was a thoughtful touch.

Address:

京都市右京区嵯峨天龍寺立石町2
2 Sagatenryuji Tateishicho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto

Hours:
10:00am to 6:00pm

Nana's Green Tea (Seattle)

Some time ago, I visited Nana's Green Tea in downtown Seattle's Denny Triangle.  The tea room opened in November 2018 and was the first branch of the Japanese chain to open in the continental United States.  A branch also opened in Bellevue, Washington in January 2023.

The interior is modern and minimalist with natural light that gives it an open feeling.  The wood furnishings, greenery, and teahouse-style framework add warmth and whimsy to the space.  While seating is plentiful, the tea room is popular and can fill up quickly.

Orders are placed just inside the entrance where you'll also find teaware for sale as well as a seasonal menu that isn't posted online.  The tea menu includes matcha and matcha lattes, hojicha, genmaicha, green tea, red bean and black sesame lattes, as well as coffee.  The food menu includes meals like rice bowls and curry, parfaits, soft serve and ice cream, and pastries.  Bulk tea can be purchased in teabags, loose leaf, and powder.  

For this visit, I had Hojicha (not pictured), a Hojicha Warabimochi Parfait, and Chicken Soboro Don.  Everything was delicious!

Of course, I couldn't resist picking up a Matcha Cream Puff to enjoy at home.

Address:

1007 Stewart St. Ste 103, Seattle, Washington

Hours:

Sunday-Thursday 11:00am to 9:00pm

Friday-Saturday 11:00am to 9:30pm

Tea Shout-Out: Nana's Irish Pub

The Tea Shout-Out highlights restaurants and other businesses who go the extra mile to serve good quality tea.

This Tea Shout-Out goes to Nana's Irish Pub in Newport, Oregon's historic Nye Beach district.  In addition to hearty meals and an extensive drinks menu, you'll also find green, black, and herbal teas.

For this visit, I had Barry's Irish Tea with a delicious Tuna Melt.

Onn Kyoto Gokomachi

In November 2024, I visited Onn (温) Kyoto Gokomachi.  The tea cafe was opened in November 2023 by owner Suzuka Yamaoka and is located a short walk from Kawaramachi Station on Gokomachi-dori in an over 100 year old renovated Kyo-machiya (townhouse).  I had been following them on Instagram since shortly after their opening and was delighted to finally be able to visit.

The cafe specializes in wagashi (tea sweets) handmade with local ingredients and with half the sugar.  The tea menu includes matcha, hojicha, and green tea.  Guests can seclect from several seasonal wagashi as well as a tea bowl from a curated collection if they are drinking matcha.  Orders are placed just inside the entrance and seating comes with a view of the beautiful tsuboniwa inner courtyard garden.

My tea was Hojicha paired with Kinmokusei wagashi made with pumpkin, orange peel, milk bean paste, red bean paste, and mochi.  Both tea and wagashi were perfect for the rainy autumn day.

Note that Onn does not accept reservations.  When it's busy, they will take your name and call you when a seat becomes available.

Address:

京都府京都市中京区伊勢屋町341-1
341-1 Iseyacho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto

Hours:
Thursday-Monday11:00am to 6:00pm
Closed Tuesday and Wednesday

Marukyu-Koyamaen Nishinotoin Tea Shop & Tea House Motoan 2024

In November 2024, I made a return visit to Marukyu-Koyamaen's MOTOAN tea house and tea shop on Nishinotoin-dori in Kyoto.  This was something I had looked forward to since the previous visit that I wrote about in 2015.

I spent the early morning visiting nearby Nijojo Castle and arrived shortly after the tea house opened.  It was quite peaceful and I enjoyed an uninterrupted view of the garden.

My tea was CHOAN matcha usucha (thin tea) with a chestnut-filled wagashi (tea sweet).  The tea service was formal, as was the tea bowl, and the complimentary water served in cut glass was refilled regularly.  

The tea shop at the front was bustling by 11am with a line forming out the door.  Due to the worldwide popularity of matcha, many varieties were out of stock and the tea shop had to limit most matcha purchases to one tin per customer.  However, they did permit a second tin if it was one of their seasonal releases like their autumnal Tsubokiri matcha.

Address: 

〒604-8277京都府京都市中京区西洞院通御池下ル西側

〒604-8277 Kyoto, Nakagyo Ward, Sanbonishitoincho, ５６１ 西側

Hours:
Nishinotoin Tea Shop: Thursday-Tuesday 9:30 am to 6:00 pm, Closed Wednesdays and 3rd Tuesdays

MOTOAN Tea House: Thursday-Tuesday 10:30 am to 5:30 pm, Closed Wednesdays and 3rd Tuesdays