T and I went to the newly-opened Ten Ren's Tea Time for dinner last night. This is probably one of its new concept store because this new Richmond Hill branch is huge and very beautifully decorated. There was a glass divider which separated the loose-leaf tea retail counter. With an extra tall ceiling, the whole space looked spacious and comfortable. However, most importantly, there is an extensive menu of tea-flavour dishes, both savory and sweet. I couldn't wait to try.
The best deals are the set menus with prices between $12.99 to $19.99. There are choices of soup, main course, side dish, dessert, and of course drinks such as bubble tea, cha-puccino, and fresh fruit-infused tea. Considering that ordering the drink a la carte would already set me back $6, the set menu is a steal. T started with a garden salad and a seaweed pork meatball soup. His main course was steamed fish filet with a side of steamed tofu, both of which infused with different types of tea. He said that they were quite nice although the tea flavour was very subtle.
I wasn't too hungry so I enjoyed a bowl of noodle soup with tea-flavoured minced pork, pork meatball, shrimp, and bean sprouts. Again, the tea flavour was weak but it hit the spot on this chilly evening. T had a dessert of frozen green tea orange mousse that looked like refrigerator cake to me. He enjoyed the dessert.
The star of the meal was definitely the drinks. Hot drinks are served on a bamboo tray holding a teapot, teacup, saucer, teaspoon, and a little pitcher of syrup. T had apple tea with chunks of apples floating around in the amber liquid. I ordered a jujube, dried longan, and lotus seed sweet tea. All three ingredients are naturally sweet on their own and they make a classical Chinese sweet tea combination. After all the tea was gone, I even ate all the dried fruit. It was a tea and dessert in one for me!
The service at Ten Ren's Tea Time can be a little unorganized at times but this is a place meant for lingering. I can see myself returning for a light meal or drinks quite often. Note that since this is a teahouse, it stays open late. This is one very attractive alternative for late-night dining in the suburb.
Ten Ren's Tea Time
On Hwy 7 between Leslie and Bayview across from MacDonald's
Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada
