Tea at 1024

Review and photography by Phuong Do.

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"We could have high tea," I suggested to a friend.

"It's too girly," he laughed, then curled his pinkie and mimicked sipping tea.

So my quest for a tea comrade continued.

I do not see why tea is considered such a feminine activity in this country. It is believed that Anna Russell, the seventh duchess of Bedford, invented afternoon tea in the 1700s. At the time in England, lunch was rather light and often left people hungry before dinner – hence the in-between meals enjoyed by the privileged. Low tea is an afternoon snack, while high tea (or meat tea) is a full evening meal. High tea sometimes refers to a formal gathering of women in the U.S. Some people believe that this usage results from a misconception of the term "high" as "formal."

On December 12, a brave soul was discovered. Accompanied by Loraine Ho, then-Ka Lamakua editor in chief, I headed to Tea at 1024. Located in the bustling urban area of Chinatown on Nu‘uanu Avenue, it is a pleasantly unusual shop.

We arrived early and were seated at the front window, the most popular spot. This area includes two wicker chairs secluded from the other tables, but the glass window left us exposed to pedestrian gazes. We returned their stares with funny faces.

Pastel art and translucent cloth decorates the ceiling and wall. The combination of air-conditioning and bright sunlight created a very calming atmosphere that morning.

Full service ($15.95) includes your choice of tea, a house salad, two sandwiches, and pastries. My favorite dish was the salad, fresh baby spinach and sweet slices of strawberry topped with feta cheese. I had English Breakfast tea, which was very mild, and it could have been warmer. The crustless sandwiches were neatly quartered into mini triangles. They tasted light yet surprisingly delicious. We had chicken curry, crab and olive, cheddar cheese and tomato, and egg salad. The assortment of pastries came with an ample amount of clotted cream and jam.

The waitress was friendly and considerate, and did not overtly invade customers' space. Meticulous care went into the preparation and the delicate setting, making me feel quite cultured. "I feel like Alice in Wonderland," said Loraine. One can even borrow frilly hats and colorful boas from the shop's extensive collection, to make the experience even more fabulous.

Tea at 1024
1024 Nu‘uanu Ave.
(808) 521-9596
Opening hours and menu items can be found at:
www.teaat1024.net

(It is always a good idea to place your reservation ahead of time, due to the shop's popularity and small size.)