Restaurant Review: Heaven and Earth Meet in Novel Tea House

Although I never got a call back for a job (yet), I have a hard time holding anything against this beautiful little tea house.

Located directly across from Dave's Taverna at 122 S. Main Street (Rt.11), Earth and Tea Cafe is a great place to unwind without spending much of your paycheck.

The Moroccan-style tea bar is decorated in rich and warm colors, hospitable tables, comfortable couches and even an elevated corner niche filled with deep cushioned floor pillows. The best way to sample the menu is to bring a hot date or two and order the sandwich and tea platter. Not only do you get to try all four of their specialty sandwiches, but you also get a full pot of any tea, all for under $9.

Samples of the chicken and Mediterranean panini and garlic chicken sandwiches were successful in tempting us to come back for more. The only slight disappointment was the turkey pita, which lacked the spice and flavor of the other choices. Needless to say, it got eaten last and was the least fought over sample, though it was still good. Other favorite dishes were a sweet black bean mango wrap and a spicy chicken salad drizzled with delicious, warm Chipotle vinaigrette.

My two dates and I started out at a table for our diverse and full-bodied dinner and ended up in the corner niche to get a little more cozy with our tea and our wonderful, bittersweet mocha torte dessert.

For our flavor of tea, our kind server suggested a tiramisu. She strongly encouraged us to take the time to smell the tea and enjoy its aroma before drinking it. Later on we got the chance to speak with her in-depth about tea; we found out that her Japanese background treats tea and its processes very formally. She talked about the art of making tea and gave us an example of how steaming green tea too long makes it bittersweet.

The young owner, Aaram Millones, appreciates her knowledge and passion for tea, along with the rest of his employees and their variety of cultural influences. There are many different international styles represented at the cafe. The chef is Cuban, the cakes come from a Russian baker and Millones is Peruvian, having moved to Virginia in 1993.

Millones is currently offering 30 different kinds of tea and has 15 more in the works behind scenes. One tea he is working with is a very exclusive and ancient style of tea that comes in the shape of a tiny bird's nest. Like wine, the secret of the tea is to let it age. Usually the tea is held back for five years before bringing it to the market. Customers have made special requests for teas like this one and Millones plans on working with these and his own ideas to expand his menu with international creativity.

Not only does this 29-year-old entrepreneur plan on expanding the menu, he also hopes to bring in live acoustic music with a multicultural flare. Starting the tea bar on his own just five months ago, Millones seems to be on the right track with his first business. The cafe is constantly busy and is becoming a fast favorite of local college students due to the relaxed atmosphere, good prices, and excellent teas. Millones is very friendly and we enjoyed our time talking with him about tea, future ideas and what it takes to step out on a limb to start something you're passionate about.

Earth and Tea Cafe offers free wireless access as well and is open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday-Saturday.