as luck would have it, it was a gorgeous day. after 2 weeks of horrible, misting fog in the city and daly city, the weather today was like manna from heaven. the view from our patio table today...
definitely gotta soak it up while you can.
samovar specializes in freshly brewed teas from around the world and offers food pairings with some of them. this was new to me. i typically don't associate tea with "pairing." my mind thinks more of dim sum and how ridiculous it was to me when my aunt would ask for a cup of hot tea on a 100*+ day in LA.
but i have had good tea before and can taste the difference. samovar's menu is fantastic. it's like reading a wine list with descriptors for each blend. i took andre's advice and went for the moorish tasting at $17. he went for the american at $14.
the tea arrives first. mine is a moorish mint tea, piping hot, with a small vessel of dark simple syrup on a small tray. andre's is an herbal iced tea accompanied by some rustic looking trail mix.
the mint tea is well brewed, not bitter, and pleasantly minty and complex. the addition of the syrup makes it very refreshing, even on a hot day. go figure, aunty.
the food arrives next. my rustic tin tray holds grilled halloumi kebabs and mint salad, dolmas and olives, and medjool dates stuffed with goat cheese and a candied walnut.
halloumi is a crumbly cheese from Cyprus, a cross of feta flavor and mozzarella texture, and takes well to grilling. it was great with the cippolini onions and the minty salad. the dolmas were good too. but wow, those goat cheese dates were amazing. i will have to remember that for my next hors d'ouevres party! and all 3 paired perfectly with the moorish mint tea.
andre's tofu burger had a house-made patty that looked complex in ingredients and soft-textured vs the typical hard, grainy veggieburger patty i'm used to seeing. andre said samovar's version is a favorite.
he also had a delicious looking chocolate cupcake alongside.
service is fine and polite. portions, while on the smaller side, are adequately satisfying. presentation is exquisite and feels upper-crust. great place to sit back, relax, and sip on fine teas in the gorgeous and rare city sun. i highly recommend. thanks andre!
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