A community staple: I have had very fond memories of Rue. It’s a vassal of the bigger Leland Tea based in San Francisco, which I haven’t been to. The atmosphere is wonderful, and the tea blends are excellent. They are all free to smell, and the staff is very knowledgeable about their inventory, and have been known to nudge you towards their favorite blends (or even blends of blends). It’s a charming place in downtown Burlingame and has retained its steady following in spite of David’s Tea opening only blocks away. I’ve spent an ungodly amount of time here, and have learned that tea is community, tea is other people, and tea is good conversation, at least when you’re in a tea lounge. Can you hold conversation at David’s? I don’t think so.
