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The Urban Tea Loft
Categories: Food Coffee & Tea Restaurants Canadian (Traditional) Restaurants Sandwiches Coffee & Tea, Canadian (Traditional), Sandwiches [Edit]
11 W Boston StSte 2
Chandler, AZ 85225
(480) 786-9600
- Hours:
Tue-Wed 10 am - 5 pm
Thu 10 am - 9 pm
Fri-Sat 10 am - 10 pm
Sun 10 am - 3 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take Away:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Lunch
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Trendy, Intimate
- Has TV:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Dogs Allowed:
- No
Ray N. said: "This is the only place I go to watch movies now.... They have a full bar, the food menu is extensive for a movie theater. Drinks are pretty good and you even get a glow stick in some of the specialty cocktails. Servers have always been…" read more »
114 reviews for The Urban Tea Loft
Review Highlights
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"their homemade mac and cheese is pretty legit as well." In 9 reviews -
"They have two private rooms as well as outdoor seating." In 3 reviews -
"The red velvet cake was to die for." In 3 reviews
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114 reviews in English
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Review from Jennifer H.
Rosemead, CA
4/13/2012 3 photos
boyfriend took me here for a date and I loved it. This cute place is located at download Chandler. When we walked into this place, the owner greeted us nicely and said to sit wherever we like and he will be with us after we look over the menu. As we both looked at the menu, wow, there were a lot of different flavor tea tinis The booths were cute. As you can see in the pictures where others had posted, the booths are cute for two or maybe even four (double daters) would fit. The owner/bartender made delish tea tinis and a slice of red velvet to go along with. He decorated a simple slice of cake onto a beautiful plate. Will come again.
Comment from Glynis L. of The Urban Tea Loft 5/1/2012
Thank you Jennifer! We hope to see you both soon! More » -
Review from Candace R.
Tempe, AZ
3/26/2012 1 Check-in Here
~3.5
My boyfriend surprised me with dinner and a movie and this is where we started the evening off. It was a bit early when we got there so we were the only table to be seated for a while. They (obviously) have a wide offering of teas, but I decided on the amaretto black tea, which was divine. Bf had the walnut green tea (on accident) and the cappuccino black tea, we both liked the green tea better. We checked in on Yelp and each got a glass of wine with our entrees, score!
Each entree comes with a salad which was pretty good. They have a surprisingly small entree menu, so I decided on the only chicken dish that night which was green tea glazed teriyaki chicken. The sole reason they're not getting a 4 is because I tasted neither green tea or teriyaki on the chicken, but it was wonderfully cooked, moist, and delicious nonetheless. My bf raved about his pork chops, and we both cleaned our plates :)
We'll definitely return to check out their other offeringsComment from Glynis L. of The Urban Tea Loft 4/17/2012
Hi Candace, we are happy you enjoyed your meal. The Green… More » -
Review from Lindsay T.
Auburn, WA
3/11/2012 1 Check-in Here
Modern tea place with food in Old Town Chandler. Two iced tea specials each day and they brew their other teas by the pot which gives you up to 12 cups. They have really neat teapots, called Teaze, that dispense the tea when you put it over the cup, and it stops when you take it off. We tried the San Jose tea which had orange and chocolate flavors to it.
They have dozens of tea flavors. -
Review from Mary Y.
Phoenix, AZ
2/26/2012 1 Check-in Here
Came here on a beautiful afternoon for a little ''tea party'' with a friend. Even on a weekday, all the tables were full. We were seated outside which wasn't a big problem since it was sunny.
We ordered the special hummus plate and a green tea drink. (They have over a dozen different tea flavors) They put the tea leaves in this really cute tea pot, fill it with hot water. Once it steeps, you put it on top of your bodum cup and there's a hole at the bottom of the teapot where the tea comes out.
The chef even came out and asked us how our hummus was. We definitely liked the babaganush. (sp?) The veggies were fresh but the pita slices could have been a little softer.
My friend ordered a soup/salad dish. Nothing fancy about it. Just simple chicken noodle and a mixed green with balsamic dressing.
I wish I had room for dessert but didn't have time for it. Overall, a great place to hang out and have some TEA! -
Review from Cheyenne R.
Mesa, AZ
5/21/2012
I have been going to Urban for a few years now. I love to sample all the different teas and of course indulge in the delicious food! I have gone with kids and adults and have always had a pleasant experience. Plan ahead, good food can take some time to prepare, but as I always say, it's worth the wait.
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Review from April Q.
2/23/2012 1 Check-in Here
I was in the downtown Chandler area this afternoon for the Farmer's Market and stepped in to this place for some tea and maybe some dinner. As I perused their entree menu, I was not really excited about anything except maybe the mac n cheese.. but since I didn't want to overdo it (I saw their amazing display of desserts) with my meal and have no room for dessert, I just ordered an appetizer.
I ordered the Caprese which was moz and tomato with pesto and balsamic drizzled.. it was tasty, but not mind-blowing. I tried their double-chocolate mate tea and, just as promised, it was chocolatey smelling and was actually enjoyable. I finally got around to their dessert display and after asking what they all contained, I ordered the Pyramid with Pecans, Caramel, Mousse, and Chocolate... WOW - it was outstanding! Not rich, not excessively sweet, just an ideal balance of all the ingredients into a very satisfying dessert.
The staff was great, too - the young gal with the glasses was friendly, helpful and quick. The guy that was in the back prepping the dishes was also friendly and asked how we were and if we were enjoying our dish.
I am giving them 4 stars for having outstanding dessert, great service, and very enjoyable tea selection.. I will come back to get more tea and more pyramids. -
Review from Jarrett R.
Tempe, AZ
2/17/2012
Great downtown eatery with a comfortable setting and excellent service.
The pear salad and black iced tea were both as the server described.
Delicious...I will be back! -
Review from Shirley C.
Chandler, AZ
2/20/2012 3 Check-ins Here
Downtown Chandler is a great place to find local shops and boutiques. One of which is the Urban Tea Loft. They have an extensive tea collection for you to chose from. Be sure to check-in from Yelp to receive your free glass of wine. The first thing i noticed that this restaurant is hip and forward-thinking using an iPod Touch to take orders and an iPad for your bill at the end. It's a small restaurant, so if you're here at a busy time, you'll have to wait a bit longer.
Now onto the food. My meal was simple, but excellent. I never thought that I grilled veggie sandwich and tomato basil soup could taste so well. The soup was extremely creamy. And they added more cream than most places. It actually works well because there's less of the tangy tomato taste. The added basil garnish is a nice touch. The grilled veggie panini had fresh vegetables with seasoned goat cheese and house made pesto sauce. It was a creative combination to jazz up a plain panini.
Simple creative fresh food that utilizes technology to the fullest. That sums up Urban Tea Loft. Be sure to check out this cute restaurant in the heart of Chandler. -
Review from Melissa H.
Phoenix, AZ
3/12/2012
Food is pretty good, but the service is inconsistent. I have been here three times, once right after they opened, once a few years ago, and once during 2011 on the finals days of a groupon deal. The groupon deal was beyond insane and even though I made a reservation they literally told me they didn't care and I had to wait in line with everyone else. After waiting an hour we bailed. I understand the curse of the groupon, but it would be nice if they at least attempted to be nice to their customers that day. Anyway, I love the concept and it's a nice retreat from the other more alcohol oriented establishments in the immediate hood. Just be prepared to wait and deal with slower service.
Comment from Glynis L. of The Urban Tea Loft 4/17/2012
Hi Melissa, we agree GROUPON was crazy for our business… More » -
Review from Verns V.
Honolulu, HI
2/12/2012
Wonderfully complimentary cakes and teas tagged with a calm, smooth atmosphere for extreme hot summers or sweet, cold winters.
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Review from Pamela R.
Scottsdale, AZ
2/6/2012
Hipster....yes. Trendy.... definitely. It's a cute establishment, nice music, lighting, and etc. Based on some of the previous reviews I thought i'd play it safe and have tea, (coffee & Grand Marnier chocolate cake for my husband). The tea came in some fancy tea diffuser, and a simple gal like me needed instructions. After spilling the tea, the waitress provided me w/instructions. The tea was good and my spouse enjoyed the coffee. The cake was pretty and sweet, but nothing to write home about. They did seem short staffed as 2 tables were still messy, so we ended up sitting at the counter where a chatty waiter prattled on endlessly about whatever. I wouldn't drive all the way from Scottsdale just for the Tea Loft, but if I were already in Chandler and didn't mind waiting for a meal, I guess i'd go back.
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Review from Lesa G.
Fountain Hills, AZ
1/14/2012
First let me say that this part of downtown Chandler is really cool and I was excited to try the Urban Tea Loft. I am a tea NUT and so I was planning to host a brunch for a girlfriend of mine who is getting married here. Judging from the website this looked like a really special place, so I went to go check it out before I made a reservation.
The space is beautiful and the furnishings are top knotch ...and that is where the compliments end.
I arrived with a friend at 10:15 in the morning on a Saturday. It was us and one other table of two.The place was understaffed and things looked discombulated. There was one waitress in the whole place which would have been fine if she was experienced and didnt have 10 stitches in her hand from a dishwashing accident a few days before..every plate she carried and tea pot she brought out she was clearly in agony..... but the food was good. The cook was awesome! Very friendly (I met him because he had to come out of the kitchen to help deliver food and clear dishes..). I got a little pissed though when a person who appeared to be the owner arrived and walked around for a second and then disappeared..The girl needed a little help out there..
Dont go here if you expect to find a new tea, have conversation with someone who knows about tea or to buy tea or any accessories. It does not appear that the staff or owners have any knowledge in this regard or know what a tea enthusiast would expect from a place named the Urban Tea Loft.At least that was the impression I got from my visit. I would suggest that the owner take a trip with her employees to even the local Teavana store to observe the employees knowledge and enthusiasm and the items available for purchase.
That said this place has SO much potential and I really hope that the owners get it together!Comment from Glynis L. of The Urban Tea Loft 4/17/2012
Hi Lesa, it appears you liked the food. That's great! Your… More » -
Review from Lee S.
La Jolla, CA
6/17/2011
Love, love, loveeeeeeeeeeeee this place!
My girlfriend made this suggestion for us to meet and have some tea. When I walked it the place was very quint and cozy. We grabbed one of the comfy chairs and greeted by our server. She was really sweet (forgot to catch her name) and was very informative on the all variations of tea, as well as allowing me to smell the different leaves/mixes. I ordered the organic ginger/peach as well as the organic chicken salad. Both items were DELICIOUS. The tea was amazingly good and I opted not to use stevia (sweetener).
Their dessert case looked decadent but stayed away (summer is near! need to look good in the polka dot bikini).
We were running late for our next appointment so when we got our check I asked for a to go cup for my tea - the server brought out a full tea for me to take with me which was a nice treat to have.
Would go back again when I am in town.
It was like being in a wine bar but for tea lovers!! -
Review from Molly H.
As a Chandlerite, I've been here several times. Every time has been stellar. My sister and I went for tea and noms last Friday, and we split the Bruschetta and a Caprese tower. My mouth was in rapture! The apple pear green tea was tasty and even better after the second steep. We left stuffed but satisfied.
They've really made the space beautiful, and I found myself thinking of reasons to rent out that awesome back room with the rad, artsy chandelier. Maybe for my next birthday.
I give this place two enthusiastic thumbs up. -
Review from mars c.
Tempe, AZ
10/22/2011
I have been a fan of The Urban Tea Loft, even before they opened! Glynis & Eric LeGrand gave us a tour one night for my curious family. Since then, I've visited several times. Each time the experience has been just as friendly and enjoyable as that first night. My husband & I had valentines dinner there and a nice after-run breakfast, too. It's got a hip upscale ambience, yet you feel very comfortable. Great place for a date!
Comment from Glynis L. of The Urban Tea Loft 10/31/2011
Thank you so much for your review. Thank you for your… More » -
Review from Mai V.
Chandler, AZ
10/31/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I've been to the Urban Tea Loft four times now, and all four times it has been an awful experience. I guess I continued to go because i wanted to support the restaurant and I understand the meaning behind the tea concept, and admire the owner for the fight against cancer.
Let me be honest by saying the food is decent. Mac and cheese is great... SERVICE is extremely slow... Give me a break...we were 1 of 2 tables there.... At the start of the morning... Can't be busy when there's only 9 tables and ONLY 2 were taken up.
My guy and I ordered bloody mary's... First let me say, there wasn't any garnish and there wasn't any seasoning in the drink! It was pure tomato juice. Second, we ordered... I ordered French toasts, and my guy ordered the ribeye skillet...I waited ten minutes after I placed my order to check in through yelp... We waited 37 minutes not including the 10 i waited prior...and still no food... So I walked over to the server and politely asked for the check and they kept saying "are you sure you want it.. Your food is really almost out" you kidding me.. Almost out?! Uh... Let me think.... No crap... I would really like it... Basically she never did what I asked.. Instead she came back with the food... The ribeye...was raw... I ate my French toast cause I was so... hungry! but give me a break... Absolutely no comp on anything... Manager nor the owner didn't even come out to apologize... How ridiculous is this?!!!
I don't like to write bad reviews, This is actually my first...and forgive me for grammar but I just am still so annoyed. I gave this restaurant the benefit of the doubt and every time they have let me down. No excuse for poor service... We paid full price for everything, absolutely nothing was comped and it was obvious I was upset, but wasn't rude.. I just simply said "I'm sorry, but 47 minutes is a very long time to wait for French toast, so we would like our check and pay for our drinks..."And I still tipped 20% ask me why?! I have no clue... I've been a server and in no way would I ever let my customers leave unhappy.. I would apologized, get their food comped, get a manager and make sure if they do ever come in again they will be well taken care of. No excuse for such poor service... The Restaurant wasn't busy... I crap bricks when I left!
I don't recommend to eat in.. Maybe order togo, but that's it. The $40 I spent on breakfast I could've been in and out stuffed at BLD. No thank you for the 5th visit... This place really pinched my nerves... 4 visits and each visit has always been extremely slow...restaurant is too small to be overwhelm when the restaurant isn't even full... 2 servers for 9 tables... Please don't tell me it's too much to handle. Well, I will never return here again... Those who have gone here and have gotten great service and didn't have as long of a wait for food.. GOOD FOR YOU! They need customers somewhere and somehow.Comment from Glynis L. of The Urban Tea Loft 5/1/2012
Hi Mai. I am sorry you did not enjoy your visit. We never… More » -
Review from Sarah S.
Chandler, AZ
4/28/2011
I bought a Groupon for The Urban Tea Loft because I always like trying something new and it was a good deal. My boyfriend and I decided to go in for brunch last Saturday and really enjoyed ourselves. The atmosphere is very relaxing with soft music and the decor is kind of mod and vintage mixed together. We sat down and the waitress brought us menus to look over. I chose to try the pear (and another fruit I forget?) tea and it was really good. I ordered the egg and cheese croissant and he ordered the urban skillet. It was sooooooo good. I took a bite of his and his was good too. I had eyed the dessert case and there were so many cute yet delicious looking treats. If I hadn't been full, I would have probably split a couple with the boyfriend. Next time!
(I don't know if I just came on a good day, but the service was great. It wasn't perhaps as fast as a chain restaurant, but I imagine it's because they're making everything fresh and there's not 12 guys back there on a line. The waitstaff was very attentive and helpful.) -
Review from Jillian S.
Gilbert, AZ
12/22/2011
Urban Tea Loft is one of my favorite lunch places. Food is super yummy! I love the mac and cheese and their Pear Salad. After reading other reviews I do agree that the service is often slow, but I use that as a chance to catch up with my friends.
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Review from Michelle D.
Mesa, AZ
3/1/2011
My girlfriend and I came to Urban Tea Loft for lunch and had a mixed experience that seems to echo many I have read here.
The atmosphere is hip and quaint and relaxing- a plus! We went on a Friday during lunch and the place was packed. We were greeted warmly but had to sit at the patio because the only available table was right near the register, sitting slightly under the counter. We sat at the patio for seven minutes, being completely ignored and never getting a menu. W waited until two tables left, hoping they would clean one off and we could sit. When they didn't clear a table, we came inside and told them it was too cold to sit outside. One server said we could sit at one of the dirty tables and he'd clean it for us. We sat for several minutes before he came and took two plates, leaving the rest of the mess for another five or six minutes until the other server came and finally acknowledged us.
I really have been excited about coming here, so I really wanted to have a good experience. I know a lot of Glynis and her husband and they have a great company and are very caring. The food was fantastic. I had the chicken chili panini and a blend of coffee, tea and cocoa- great! The pasta salad is SO delicious! My friend had the gyro. We both loved the food. Our only complaint is the service, which got progressively worse as the day went on. We were there almost two hours for lunch because we really had to wait a lot to order, then to get our food, then for her to check up on us and then sixteen minutes after we ordered deserts- did we finally get those. As sweet as our server was, it was not packed enough to be ignored so much. The owners were busy with meetings going on in the back, and I completely understand, otherwise I would have met with them to tell them how I felt.
I hope to meet them next time, as I will return for the food and hopes the service will get better! -
Review from Lynn O.
Chandler, AZ
3/14/2011
I am in Phoenix (Chandler) visiting a friend and doing some business so everything here is new to me. I found this place through yelp and I am so thankful for yelp's reviews to guide me to the great places that this city has to offer.
I haven't gone there for the tea but have had dinner here twice and look forward to going back again (and again)
Food: I'm just going to say pure deliciousness.
Cant wait to go back for tea and dessert; the deserts look really great, I just haven't gotten to try them yet. I guess I'll have to update this review after going back for desert which I plan to do soon.
Great atmosphere, friendly helpful service. It's just all good!
I look forward to trying many of the other tasty looking dishes on the menu and I imagine that this is going to become one of my favorite places to eat during my stay here in Chandler.
Highly reccomended. -
Review from Cliff C.
Chandler, AZ
2/15/2011
Normally I would give the restaurant a mulligan but I never felt at ease the entire time at UTL.
My experience had a rocky beginning when I wasn't greeted when I entered the restaurant - although I was outnumbered by servers 2:1. After sitting down, I immediately switched tables because my first option was covered in crumbs and whathaveyou, only to move to a less dirty table. My server never seem all that interested in getting my order correct however uncomplicated it was.
To be fair, the food was pretty good but I was too distracted by the aloof service, dirty tables, and awkward decor to be able to enjoy it.
I was excited to give UTL a shot and unfortunately left underwhelmed.Comment from Glynis L. of The Urban Tea Loft 3/1/2011
Hi Cliff, it is extremely disappointing to me that you did… More » -
Review from Monica J.
6/4/2011
Ate lunch here with my sister on Friday. The patio was well shaded and so not too hot but it felt a bit cramped even though not all the tables were full. Lots of items on the menu sounded good but we ended up with the vegetable pizza (we added chicken). Even though this was on the menu as a starter, we actually split it for our entrée and also ordered a crab cake appetizer to share. (Full disclosure, she is a very light eater and I was not too hungry that day either). The crab cake was nothing to write home about but we both really loved the pizza. It was extremely tasty. I also loved my ice tea. I can't remember what it was called, but it had a very complex flavor to it. I tasted hibiscus and mint with a hint of chocolate. My sister had a glass of white wine which was fine but I was surprised by how much their wines by the glass were.
The service was spotty as the other reviewers have mentioned. Our server was friendly and knowledgeable of the menu but it was a long wait for the food and check. He also completely forgot about my ice tea refill until I flagged him down. I understand that you won't have flawless execution in a small local joint like this but considering that our bill came to $30 for what was basically drinks and apps (and at lunch time, no less!) I would expect more. -
Review from Lizzy C.
Chandler, AZ
1/22/2012
I loved this place! The food was excellent, the tea was beyond amazing and even better than that was the service! Garrett is the best! I teach aesthetics (service industry) and am rarely WOWed with customer service! Go for the tea and a slice of Garrett! I made this account because he was so impressive, and you rarely get that experience. I highly recommend this place for lunch!
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Review from June J.
Beverly Hills, CA
3/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
I really wanted to like this place because it has such a great concept and I like to support local businesses. However the service was terrible. It seemed like they're under staffed and for being a local joint they were simply not that friendly. My husband and I waited forever to get our order taken, our teas delivered and our check.
Also, as the waiter was cleaning the tables near us to accommodate the guests waiting, he put the dirty dishes on the bar counter. Now come on, that's not pleasing to the eye. The least you can do is bring it to the back. No one wants to see dirty dishes on top of the bar, right near where your tea is getting made. They should consider hiring one of those high schoolers right down the street as a busboy/girl to clean up the dirty dishes.Comment from Glynis L. of The Urban Tea Loft 3/22/2011
Hi June. So sorry you experienced this. That server is no… More » -
Review from Tyler H.
Phoenix, AZ
1/22/2011
I have a blast every time I eat at this place. I had NYE there, met a colleague for a business lunch and took my parents for dinner when they were in town.
The chicken and salmon are fantastic.
When you order tea, be sure to inquire whether it's hot or cold. I've seen a few people make this error.
Great date place. -
Review from Amy C.
Chandler, AZ
3/24/2011
I live pretty close to downtown Chandler, but I never really venture down there anymore since they closed the Naughty and Nice lingere store. But I got a Groupon for the Urban Tea Loft. It was only for $15 so I decided to go alone.
I left work early and had a quite lunch to myself... bonus!!
It's a very small place but I loved the atmosphere.
Some of the seating is 1/2 table/ 1/2 booth with really high backs (think carnival Tilt-a-Whirl style). Very comfortable.
I ordered the Crab Cake appetizer and it was delicious. I also ordered the BLT Croissant with the house salad, also amazing.
I'm not really a tea drinker, so I opted for a rootbeer. The waitress brought me a glass, and then sat the leftover can on my table. I was kind of put off by that, being how it's such a fancy place and then here is a can of MUG Rootbeer on the table.
Overall I enjoyed it quite a bit and I can't wait to go back. -
Review from Anna M.
9/22/2010 10 Check-ins Here
Great place for ladies who lunch...
The restaurant is small and intimate, the decor is bright and lively.
I went in for lunch and ordered the Green Chili Chicken Panini. It was fabulous. They do not skimp on the indigents and even the chicken was tender and juicy.
I had the tea-tini's here awhile back and I remember them being lovely.
The dessert case was full of devilish temptations. I had no room left after my sandwich :(
Go and relax with a simply good lunch.Listed in: It's all about Chandler!, Let's Do Lunch!
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Review from Jessica B.
Chandler, AZ
3/3/2011
So, I've only been here twice, but my experiences were wildly different between the visits.
The first time, we ordered some tea and a light lunch, and the staff was really helpful and the food came out pretty fast. It was also really tasty! We were in love!
The second time, it was a bit busier so we sat at the bar, ordered some bruschetta and a couple entrees, and tea as well. I figured it would take a while because they were busy, but we waited over an hour for our appetizer - the staff kept saying they could see it being made, but it obviously wasn't, and when it came out it was kind of.. meh. After an hour of waiting for tomato on toast, we decided to leave. Still, I have high hopes that the third time will turn out much better!Comment from Glynis L. of The Urban Tea Loft 3/22/2011
Hi Jessica. Thank you for your review. I remember this… More » -
Review from Margaret R.
San Diego, CA
1/27/2012
I like this place, it's super cute and brings back both good and bad memories...Um, so I have not eaten a meal here, only gotten tea/coffee and dessert. Their Goddess cake is really good and they have a ton of a really yummy and different teas to choose from. It must be said though that the employees here are so far a dissapointment. They are those type who flirt with eachother and gossip about customers while they are still there...ya, not the best on service. If you can get in one of the back rooms and have they get you some tea they would probably leave you alone for quite a while :)
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Review from Jetta R.
Burlingame, CA
1/6/2009 ROTD 5/15/2009
Admittedly, I had prepared to hate this place with a passion you only see in the movies.
The name just screamed "flax seed and watercress salad".
Not that I'm hating, mind you. I'm sure the same people that just had a foodgasm thinking of flax seed and watercress will look right back at me and go "raw fish? chinese-mexican fusion? GROSS".
I just realized that's the first time I've ever used the word "fusion" to describe a restaurant. I finally feel like I'm grasping the intricacies of foodie lingo.
The next test is to say the word "shi shi" in a sentence with a straight face.
When we sat down in the purgatory of warm, earthy tone-laced interior design that was the restaurant, the waiter informed us it was "soul food night". Normally, when some restaurants say it's "blank blank night" that usually mean that's what the special is or that it's a bargain. No, at Urban Tea Loft, "Soul Food Night" means that's all they're serving.
We all ordered what we thought would be amusing forays into "Chandler nightlife with a hint of elegance" or some nonsense.
After browsing the extensive tea menu, we settled on a pot of Rooibos Chai, iced.
The waiter brought out a pot of lukewarm tea and three glasses with ice in them.
Kay......
I realize, in retrospect, that serving the ice separately was the wiser move, but I remember feeling really confused at first.
It'd be like saying "I'd like that on the rocks, please" and the bartender gives you your drink in a martini glass and a shooter full of ice cubes and lets you at it.
Actually, that's not "like what happened" at all. That's EXACTLY what they did.
In its defense, the tea was magnificent. Fantastic, really. It was spicy, creamy, and smooth. I almost wish we could've afforded to order more of it, but we just had to try the food. Stupid hunger.
For 13 dollars I got a meager filet of shake and bake catfish, a cup of watery coleslaw, and a cornbread muffin. And not even the puffy, scrumptious muffins you find in grocery stores.
No, that was not to be my fate. The muffin was barely poking out of its holder. I remember being upset that for 13 dollars they couldn't even be bothered to take it OUT OF THE FUCKING PAPER, but I realized that was for the better; the moment I took it out of the paper, the muffin disintegrated into crumbs, and I spent the rest of my meal spooning it up.
The coleslaw was soggy. Yes. I said it. Soggy. I know, right? How can something that sits in mayonnaise all day be soggy?
I DON'T KNOW EITHER!
Perhaps I've been spoiled on British and German cole slaw, but I expect it to have a bit of a crunch to it. It's not boiled cabbage, after all. It's not wrong to expect some life in your slaw.
And not to call a "tea loft" that serves soul food unimaginative, but c'mon, where's the creativity? Where's the apple or pineapple chunks?
Usually with such a pretentious atmosphere you get a little "experimentation" with the menu to make it seem "urbanized".
Oh well.
The catfish, while crunchy and delicious, just wasn't filling. Again, in their defense, most places that serve fish try to gip (sic) you on it.
No wonder people stick to Red Lobster. It's corporate and soulless but at least you don't have to hit a drive-thru on the way home.
Look, I know we live in a land-locked state, but it's not like you're fishing for the damn thing yourself. I don't see you out there with a harpoon. Don't try to fucking fool me.
Misty S got the vegetable plate for 9.75. By far I think the best deal. Sure, it's just a bunch of little trays of sides and is even less filling than the aforementioned meat entree, but you get twice as much of the "New American" feel and flavor.
Fun Fact: Having spent my childhood in Europe, I was raised to believe that fish does not count as meat, and I still have a hard time remembering NOT to suggest sushi to my vegetarian friends.
So, come for the tea, and stay to pay for the bill. BUT ONLY FOR THE TEA.
Anything else and you're just wasting your money.
Which can't be that bad. Everyone's doing it these days.
Amirite, GMC?Listed in: Worst At What I Do Best
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Review from Sarah G.
2/27/2008 6 photos
I have tell you I am just Enchanted every time I go back!
Thank You Glynis you are such a Gracious Host!
**UPDATED**
I went back for lunch today and all I can say is WOW and WOW!!!
So Wonderfully Delicious!! I'm home now and want to go back and eat again!
This is now my New Favorite place, I want to try everything they have!
Have a look at my pics from lunch :)
I Got the special=Turkey chowder in a bread bowl, mixed salad and dessert for $10. And Trust that it tasted even better than it looks, I wish it would have never ended!
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As I was strolling along in downtown chandler enjoying the weather I had stopped at each restaurant to look at the menus they had posted outside hoping to scope out my next lunch spot.
I stopped to read the menu here and a friendly girl approached and asked if I would like to be seated, unfortunately I had already ate but went instead to grab and iced tea anyway.
I was greeted with a friendly face from behind the bar who offered to whip me up some suga! Sounds good to me.
As she whipped, I browsed the wall of tea ,two of the most helpful girls were telling me all I need to know about loose leaf tea and so on.
Suga's ready, Jasmine citrus tea with pureed strawberries shaken up with club soda on the rocks and on the house!....I'm in Tea Heaven!
Then I'm offered a sample of tea leaves in bag to take home and make myself.
I'm gonna have lunch there tomorrow!
5 Stars for Amazing customer service and Hospitality and the Most Delicious Food Ever! And I do Believe the Sweetest Owner/Manager I've ever met!Listed in: Top Restaurants
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Review from Jim W.
11/30/2008
A funny thing happened on the way to the bathroom. We were dining at Latitude 8 with some other yelpers. I excused myself and headed to the restroom. It is in a shared hall in the back of the building, so when I entered the hall from the restaurant I was facing a door labeled "Urban Tea Loft."
I poked my head in and decided we should pay a visit as we were wrapping up our meal at latitude.
What a gem! We met the owners Eric and Glynis and they were charming! Service was outstanding and Eric took the time to explain all about the teas - flavors, health benefits, etc. He also explained how to operate the tea pot which is good because we would have had a mess otherwise.
We shared a large pot of jasmine tea. It was good but a little flowery for my taste. The strawberry lemonade was excellent.
The atmosphere is both warm and hip. They have two private rooms as well as outdoor seating. They offer wine, beer and bar drinks. I'm not sure how extensive the drink selection is but they looked to have a fairly complete if basic bar selection.
All in all an excellent addition to any neighborhood dining area and a great place to come after meals to hang and have a drink. I'll be back to try the food and update later.Listed in: Right this way Valley Visitors
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Review from Dante S.
Palo Alto, CA
1/6/2009
As a SF Bay transplant taking another SF Bay transplant out for dinner, there is a certain level of one-ups-manship to our dinner plans. What, you thought the whole "everything with me is a competition" bit was just talk? With both of us coming from the land of non-chains I was desperate to find a venue that was quirky, urban, hip and made me seem a lot cooler than I am. Urban Tea Loft, that's your cue.
The yelp reviews swayed me, the charming interior lulled me, the super polite staff put me at ease. The seating was a modern blend of "I'm a couch, no, I'm a booth!" mixed with tables and chairs. Buddy, Jetta R. and I decided to order a pot of Rooibos Chai to start. It was the last smart decision we made.
Weekends are "soul food" only. That's cool, I like collard greens. You're allowed to chose your "meat" and one or two sides. Vegetarians can chose three sides.
The menu leads you to believe you'll be getting a meal. Don't be fooled. While Jetta R.'s catfish was exquisite and a decent portion size, the sides are served in tiny little cups. My "three meatless sides and we'll call it a vegetarian option" dinner was...not enough. When have you ever seen "soul food" in tiny portions? Doesn't that defy the cuisine? That's like non-fat Indian. See also: Bombay Spice.
Everything we tried was delicious, and it's a damn shame the portions are barely large enough for you to figure that out.
TL;DR version: Visit this spot to relax, bring your own company or a lap top, and stick to the fare this place is named for - the tea. You won't be disappointed. -
Review from Evo T.
Tempe, AZ
4/14/2009
Wait, they sell tea here?
Well yes, they do. And the Lapsang souchong was equisite. But I nearly forgot about it. Probably thanks to the seared scallops, jerk chicken lavosh and roasted red pepper hummus.
Yeah... at a tea shop. Interested?
You should be. This places is simply divine. A master chef, a staff that cares and drinks called "teatinis" that will make you question why *all* martinis aren't made this way.
A shining star in historic downtown Chandler. Not to be missed. -
Review from Chip P.
Mesa, AZ
6/27/2011
I went to check this place out a 2-3 months ago when it was still cool outside and drinking a HOT tea was still enjoyable. We had a wonderful breakfast on the patio, sipped some delicious teas, and enjoyed the weather. I had a skillet that was to die for. The potatoes were so good. My fiancee had some sort of sandwich, which was also yummy. We were considering some desserts but honestly they are over priced for the serving size. I don't care how good they are. With all this said, when our so called winter months come back around, and a hot tea is welcomed, we will be coming back for sure.
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Review from Keesha G.
Austin, TX
12/31/2007 1 photo
The Urban Tea Loft in Downtown Chandler can compete with any chic Downtown tea shop anywhere. I swear.
The Look:
Is hip, trendy, and ultra cool and inviting at the same time. Resin table tops, high back sofas and soft lighting
The Digs:
Private "party rooms" for booking a client lunch or friendly birthday party at night. The rooms have a flat panel tv, IPOD plug ins and comfortable seating.
The Tea:
You can brew it, buy it, sample it or you can have it loaded! That right, pay attention. You can get Tea-Tinis! Like a martini, but one of the mix-ins will be a flavored tea. I had a High Rise Tea Tini and they brewed in coconut tea.Listed in: Eating AZ, A thru Z, Historic Downtown Chandler
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Review from Jenn E.
6/9/2009
One word: EXPENSIVE
I was with a friend of mine who had gotten engaged recently, and we were checking out the bridal store next door. We decided to get a bite to eat and there was a big banner advertising that they won some sort of best new restaurant award, so we decided to give it a try.
I am not a regular tea drinker, but since it was their speciality, I gave it a whirl. It was okay, just tasted like tea, but it was $3.50! The menu was the same way, I think all the sandwiches were about $12...who do they think they are?! To top it off, the food took forever! Were were there at about 2:30 and there was only 1 other table, but the food took over 20 minutes.
The food was decent flavor wise, but we really felt like it was overpriced. Next time I want some iced tea, I will just stick to Starbucks! -
Review from Ashley A.
1/24/2010
Wow! I am so impressed by UTL. This was my first 'tea party' and I loved it - I met up with Kym C. and Julie M. to discuss the book for our Book Club. UTL was very accommodating and had very friendly/helpful service. I ordered a small pot of the Almond and Vanilla Herbal Tea and a slice of their red velvet cake. Both were SO GOOD! The only experience I have had with tea is peppermint herbal tea that you get from the store, and to be honest I've never even finished any that I've made (just not my cup-o-tea I s'pose) but I loved my herbal tea from UTL and I will come back to try different varieties. It had the best flavor and came in a really cool tea pot. The red velvet cake was to die for. It was very rich, moist, and sweet. I loved it, though it was so rich, so moist, and so sweet that I couldn't finish it all in one sitting although, I sure tried...
I am half tempted to go back and buy myself their nifty tea pot and enjoy more of the herbal tea selections, but I don't know if I'm confident enough quite yet, I think I'm going to take one of their classes and then, maybe.
I wish our waitress was more attentive to us and I also wish the menus were all the same - Kym and I swapped our menus before we ordered because there were different selections of teas on each one, which I though was weird. They also don't really have a menu for their desserts (which I guess is okay since the desserts are in a glass display, but it would have been cool if they were listed somewhere).
But even with those downers I am definitely planning to come again, I loved the atmosphere and the relaxing vibe this place puts off. I am definitely a fan!! -
Review from Wendy K.
Mesa, AZ
4/23/2009
Last night was my first visit to The Urban Tea Loft, and I was glad that I went.
First of all, I have to tell you, I'm not a foo foo, girly, tea and crumpets type person. And, to top it off, I don't really like tea!! I prefer coffee with lots of cream and sugar so it tastes like syrup!
I have gone to a "tea party" at one of those foo foo tea places, and it wasn't for me. The cups were pretty, but I don't wear gloves and boas, and plus, those little cucumber sandwiches may be cute, but they leave me hungry! Hey I grew up on a farm where we ate meat and potatoes every day!
Anyway, The Urban Tea Loft is not like any tea establishment you have ever been to. It's more like a modern bistro or restaurant bar, similar to a Bamboo Club, or Ra or something like that. It's decorated modern and elegant and comfortable for both men and women to visit.
It is owned and run by a lovely couple. Glynnis has a miraculous story of which she so kindly shared with us. Her husband Eric isn't much of a server, or so he said, but he sure knows how to recommend chocolate cake! I almost foundered in it it was so rich and delicious, I couldn't eat the whole piece!
Some of our party had fondue, others had red pepper hummus, or salads, another had chicken pot pie. Every meal that came out was fresh, plentiful, and dare I say, healthy!? I had already eaten dinner but I tried the hummus and it was delightful! Just the right amount of flavor, fresh and creamy, served with pita triangles and fresh cucumbers! All of the food was beautifully presented too!
What I also liked about the Urban Tea Loft was that they have two private rooms. One is called the VIP room, luxurious, intimate, leather seating, warm, inviting colors, comfortable surrounds, great for a private party. Seated about 12 or so. The other room called the AV room, seated over 20, had a private bar, LCD TV which hooks up to your computer and a long conference table; a very private comfortable place for a business meeting, or family dinner.
Lastly, I have to talk about the tea. Since I'm not a tea drinker I was skeptical, because it all tastes the same to me. But I had a berry tea which was quite refreshing. Not too strong, but not too weak. And me being the sugar fanatic I am, I didn't even need to put sugar in because it was naturally sweet!
Anyway, what a treasure of a find in downtown Chandler! If you haven't gone there, you should!
Enjoy!Listed in: Hometown Proud-Must Try Places…
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Review from Andre W.
Tempe, AZ
1/27/2011 1 photo
Sadly, I haven't been to Urban Tea Loft lately, or as often as I should. The owner Glynis is an inspiration (read her story on their website). She and her husband make a wonderful team. UTL is always willing to support the community (they catered 'LaidOff Camp' last year).
The first time I ate here was after an event at Gangplank up the street, so were all seated in the private room (which is pretty comfortable).
I had the mac and cheese, which was amazing, and tried a Chai Tea Martini (manly, I know).
