Majin_An, Tea House

Apr 1st, 2024

Very high ratings for communication, customer service, and quality. From the second you enter the restaurant you feel as though you are halfway around the world. You get lost in the food/decor. Every dish served was visually appealing, fresh, and tasty. This is a once in a lifetime experience and would recommend it. It is more of an experience than anything else. Be prepared for a long wait to get a reservation and for smaller portions than most are accustomed to. The price is also high, but it's not a place you will eat at often and the experience is worth it.
May 7th, 2023

Mar 26th, 2023

It's important to clarify that this is an authentic Japanese tea service, by appointment only. It is not meant to be a lunch/dinner service (they used to do Kaiseki but now they do tea ceremony only), so please plan ahead. They maintain an intimate and authentic experience so each time only 2-3 people could get in, for good reasons. My husband and I signed up on their waitlist at least 6 months in advance, and when I received the call from the owner, I was so thrilled. They did a very thorough job telling you what you can expect and how to prepare for it before coming. Please be punctual. Chef Yamazawa and Ms. Yamazawa would wait to greet the guests in Japanese Kimono outside the house (and they'll walk you through the procedure before you enter the tea house), so it really doesn't feel nice to the host if you're late. About the place: They convert their residence to provide an authentic tatami experience inside (but you'd be hard to tell from outside). There's only parking space for one car (which is the driveway at the front of the house). We were a bit confused at first as we didn't mean to drive "into" the gate, but the host helped us right away so nothing to worry there. Once inside, they'll share with you everything about Japanese tea ritual, what to do, what it means (as each Japanese tea session is almost a meditation session that encourages guests to explore their inner peace and to live in the present moment), etc. I love to learn about the culture, their stories (why deciding to transition from a restaurant to a Japanese tea house), and everything. It's worth noting that it is not allowed to take photos during the tea session. I appreciate the disconnection from social media and phone to enjoy serenity for a nice afternoon! (After everything's wrapped up, you're welcome to take photos at the entrance) Overall, this is a cultural experience for ~2h long, rather than a lunch/dinner thing (there will be a little bit snacks/desert as part of the tea ceremony, but don't count on them to feed you). Highly recommend!
Apr 1st, 2024

* Google images does not do the location justice. It looks like a normal home and that is intentional. It is a tea house, for private events, not open to the public. * Their transition from restaurant to tea ceremony was masterfully done. While it's a very different experience, they definitely kept to the same standard as their restaurant. From the moment you arrive (even before you exit your car) until you leave you are their only focus. It's a smaller and more intimate experience yet did not disappoint. The explanation of what's about to happen and setting expectations made it work seamlessly. There were also plenty of opportunities to ask and engage in questions / provide feedback. As you look around you'll find that everything was hand crafted, even the tea house itself. You are given ample time to enjoy the experienced and are never rushed. Definitely well worth it.
Jan 17th, 2024