08/12/09

Many thanks!!!

by Charlsey

I visited the store here at Crossroads this past Tuesday. The store was busy with several people both inside and sitting outside at the tables and chairs. Immediately upon entering the store, I was warmly greeted by Jenny. I stayed for about an hour doing tea tasting with two other customers and during that time I observed Jenny attending to the many customers coming in and out. Although she was the only person on staff that evening, she made us all feel as if we had her undivided attention. I wanted to say thank you for having such a wonderful person on your staff and to let you know she represents your business well. When it was time for me to go I purchased several teas, two tea cups, and a tea to go, all thanks to the excellent service and knowledge Jenny provided.

Many thanks,

08/03/09

Great Pleac for Teas

by Elaine888

Thank you for letting me sit and read a book for 4 hours while it sizzled outside. And thank you for making a special latte. I also appreciate the fact that you don't add color to latte's -:) I love the service, the happy smiles and, of course, discovering wonderful teas at very quaint little shop with very knowledgeable staff.

06/22/09

Authentic Tea in Both Kent & Bellevue

by feyerjill

Xiu Xian Tea is located in both Bellevue & Kent. Citysearch really should put their Bellevue address on their website. The Bellevue place is in the Crossroads mall between Firenze/Guidos & Udopi Indian restaurant.

I've truly enjoyed getting to know the owners (like friendly neighbors than just business owners) and sipping tea, so many I can't count. It's like the Cheers place, where everyone knows your name, only it's tea.

My experience is similiar to others.

However, I wouldn't recommend going to Xiu Xian if you are in a hurry (easier in Kent than Bellevue). Check out their website: xiuxiantea (dot com) for more info.

• Pros: Relaxed atmosphere (lives up to its name), personable
• Cons: Not good place if you are rushed & just want tea to go

06/22/09

Best Darn Tea in Washington located in Bellevue and Kent

by mklump1

Xiu Xian Tea is located in both Bellevue and Kent!

We do so love being greeted at Xiu Xian Tea that we must take a few minutes to sit down and enjoy the many teas, including sometimes the red teas, with all the wonderful people that happen to come by to try the teas as well before they buy.

We always tend to over stock our intended quota of tea to buy because of how we know these rare and wonderful loose leaf teas will make us feel at home.

Most especially wonderful, there is always a story to share about the teas and the ceremonies surrounding it.

So drink Xiu Xian loose leaf tea for the love of your health, and then share that gift of good health with others who have not for love of their good health as well in our fellow man!

Sincerely,

-Matthew James Klump (The Ku Ding Guy [6 or more thick heavy/bitter sticks])

• Pros: Excellent Atmosphere to Smell, Taste, and Try the Tea!
• Cons: No shortcommings found PERIOD.

06/12/09

A real thing

by Linymer

Good: As Tea becomes more popular, even as people sense that if one teashop is profitable another will be also, you will see advertisements; do not fall for gimmicks. Because Xiu Xian is authentic and every tea comes from China, while other shops disregard the quality issue out of necessity. Because the owners are frugal and control expenses, they can provide the best quality tea at a reasonable cost. For the customer it is a win-win situation that is rare in this world of fast foods and misconception.. Bad: The customer service is impressive. Improvements: nothing, they will surprize me.. Other: As I stated earlier, the tea is from China, they go there to get it, where most other shops buy from intermediaries that would give the best quality tea to the highest bidder, if they even check quality. Because the owners here go to pick out the actual tea, shipped in marked boxes, and you, the customer end up buying the best tea from each province in a country where the tea plant is grown and trimmed by people who understand quality.

• Pros: Bet tea in Town
• Cons: Non

06/09/09

Great service!

by Angella123

I am hooked on their TEA LATTE's! The art tea is great for hosting, I have relatives who live out of state, now ordering from their website. I met Mako at her store in Kent prior to the Bellevue store opening, and wow, I knew the new store is great too, not only because of the calming atmosphere, and choices of tea, but Mako takes the time to educate her customers, and make us feel right at home! Great service!

06/05/09

What's new & cool in Crossroads?

by MichaMonet

Well, I've just made another trip to Xiu Xian, because the new spring sprout has arrived at last! This is a wonderful treat for those who love GOOD Chinese tea! I am especially partial to the new Imperial green.

Another new (inexpensive) treat by Jenni & Mako are the wonderful, cold blended teas that were added! My favourites are the Lavender and Chai lattes (I take mine with soy milk), but they also have a blended black tea latte made with Pur'h (which I normally don't much care for, but this one is oh-so-special)! It's WAAAY better than Starbucks or my kids bubble tea habit (I hooked them last week)!

Treat yourself nice and go see Mako at Xiu Xian in the Crossroads Mall NOW!

• Pros: FREE WI-FI, in-$ tea, near good food, yummy tea, cool drinks
• Cons: not open later (might change soon), no food,

04/24/09

The Best teahouse in Washington!!!

by michelle154

Wow! What an experience. I don't think I can say anything better than the reviewers I follow. I loved that Jenni offered to brew any tea I wanted. She didn't just hand me a little sample and walk away. I got to experience tea sampling. We sat down at a beautiful wood table with matching chairs while she brewed the tea. She explained the best way to brew each specific type of tea. I was able to sample it two or three times, each cup better than the last. There was no pressure. She was very helpful. I can't wait to go back.

04/24/09

Best Tea and atomosphere in WA

by JenG

The tea tasting experience is wonderful and the tea is superb. The store clerks allow us to hang out and drink tea. Everyone there is friendly and easygoing.

• Pros: Great Tea

03/02/09

I'm have trouble picking a tea...

by starshinesMonet

So, CitySearch, I found this really great tea house I think you should try. It has so much personality and the owner is such a dream; it's easy to get lost in conversation there for hours. It's just so wonderful to find a tea house that reminds me of the ones I went to in China! Complete with REAL, PROPER tea tables!

Another good quality is the range. An experienced Chinese tea drinker could go there and enjoy some very nice longjǐng or Fujian woloongs, but for those who prefer more herbal blends, flower art teas or even just flavoured reds (or blacks in the States) there is always something new to try!

And that's the beauty of the system - you can pick out what you like, sit down with a knowledgeable, wonderful conversationalist and try your tea (and about 5-8 other ones also). Find one you like and/or take the staff member's advice and you will leave with some very nice tea as a result of it. It is also just a nice place to sit and have a good chat.

The owners are very informative and you leave knowing a little bit more about tea than before. While your there, I'd suggest really utilizing the advantage of having someone as helpful as Mako, but don't go on a Saturday or you will swamped.

The last thing I want to mention is the wonderful tea merchandise there! While there are the usual teapots, they also have smelling cups, gaiwan, and you can also find a good, reliable tea table, utensils and other unique tea accessories. *And* they have these thermoses that are a complete LIFESAVER for on-the-go tea! I bring mine everywhere and can leave it in my bag without worrying about it spilling everywhere. Also, it stays warm for hours!

Overall: If you are in the Bellevue/Redmond/Issaquah area, do yourself a BIG favor & head over to the Crossroads Mall and have some tea at Xiu Xian. It will be the most gratifying experience of your trip.

FYI: This is for the BELLEVUE/Crossroads location.

• Pros: Good Chinese tea, helpful staff, nice neighborhood, inexpensive tea, good food surrounding
• Cons: Not for large groups, kids OK, but might be overwhelmed.